Updated: Jan. 29, 2026, at 1:14 p.m.Students launched a Public Interest Law Association chapter within the Pre-Law Student Association this month, aiming to introduce peers to careers centered on social justice, civil liberties and advocacy for marginalized communities. GW Public Law Interest Association, which is currently operating as a subgroup of the Pre-Law Student Association, aims to unite pre-law students interested in exploring public interest law and connect students with professionals already working in the field. Adyant Patnaik, the organization’s co-president, said the group hopes to introduce students to the field of public interest law and open up new possible career paths for pre-law students. He said he wants the group to host events with professionals already involved in public interest law to help dispel myths about the sector, like that public interest isn’t as rewarding as corporate law. He said working with the Pre-Law Students Association also allows the group to build on the established community it has already built on campus, while remaining unique in its specialization in public interest law.