Law Students

Figuring Out the Formula for Success in Public Interest: Money Matters

By Jordana.Mosten

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A major drawback to public interest work is the salary. I've interviewed three public interest attorneys at different stages in their careers who live in expensive cities to see how they manage their finances and I share their tips for managing student loans and living off their salaries.

Name: Julia Wilson
School: Stanford Law School, 11 years out
Job: Public Interest Clearinghouse, Dir.
City: San Francisco

The biggest issue is balancing priorities. I graduated law school with an eight-month-old baby and I immediately had to balance my public interest career with childcare. I had someone else I was responsible to, so I couldn?t just eat ramen to save money. Four to five years out, it got noticeably easier. I now own a house. We bought a fixer-upper in Pacifica, one of the more affordable areas in San Francisco, and we put in a lot of sweat equity. Even though I work in public interest and my husband is a schoolteacher, it was affordable. But at the same time, my daughter goes to public school. If I were to put her in private school, we couldn?t afford a house.

I don?t feel like I?ve made any sacrifices. I say hands-down, I have the best job among my classmates ? the job is intellectually engaging, challenging, and I can do this while having a house and kids.?

Name: "Jess"
School: University of Michigan, 10 years out
Job: Legal aid organization, atty.
City: Chicago

Being a public interest attorney is worth it, but you have to give up a lot of material things.  You have to be comfortable with making those financial decisions or the negative aspects of being a public interest attorney can weigh you down. I?m about thirty-five and I do not own a home. I didn?t care in my twenties and early thirties, but now, it bites. I am older and still paying rent while my friends are all homeowners. It is difficult when you work hard and you can?t buy a house for yourself.

I worked for a firm for a year and I felt what it is like to have money. I didn?t have to balance my checkbook every month, and if I worked there for one more year, I could have bought a house. But it?s not worth it.

Full post as published by Ms. JD on May 24, 2010 (boomark / email).