Public Policy and Ethics
Center for Public Interest Law
Founded in 1980, the University Of San Diego School Of Law's Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) serves as an academic center of research and advocacy in regulatory and public interest law. CPIL focuses its efforts on the study of an extremely powerful, yet often overlooked, level of government: state regulatory agencies. Under the supervision of experienced public interest attorneys and advocates, CPIL law student interns study California agencies that regulate business, professions, and trades.
The Children's Advocacy Institute (CAI) is an academic, research and advocacy center dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of California 's children. Staffed by experienced attorneys and advocates, advised by the CAI Council for Children , and assisted by USD law student interns, CAI works to improve the status and well-being of children in our society by representing their interests and right to a safe, healthy childhood. In addition to its academic program , which trains law students to be effective child advocates, CAI represents children in the state legislature, in the courts, before administrative agencies, and through public education programs.
Energy Policy Initiatives Center
An academic and research center, EPIC will study energy supply, costs, and opportunities and how they affect the San Diego County region and Southern California . The EPIC will integrate research, law school study, and public education, and legal advocacy to provide expertise and information about future energy needs and their efficient and environmentally responsible provision. The EPIC program is unique and conceivably the only one of this type in the nation. The EPIC will train public officials and students alike. The center will increase public awareness and interest in finding reliable alternative energy sources that capitalize on Southern California 's ideal weather.
Pro Bono Legal Advocates (PBLA) was formed to promote the value of service among members of the law school student body. Through PBLA, students donate their talents and time to the community, and help clients who could not otherwise afford a lawyer. In cooperation with the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP), PBLA volunteers participate in the county's Domestic Violence Prevention Clinic and in SDVLP's Guardianship Program for Minors. Other volunteers are trained to conduct mediations in small-claims court. Some students help juveniles on probation stay out of trouble, while others act as mentors for inner-city students, encouraging them to reach their full potential. PBLA also organizes annual beach cleanups at Law Street Beach.
