Justice for All

Gillis Long Poverty Law Center

For more than 30 years, the College of Law has facilitated representation of low-income people through the Gillis Long Poverty Law Center. Access to civil legal services is transformative for low-income and vulnerable people. This Center was founded to give students and graduates the opportunity to engage in lawyering for those who would not otherwise have access to legal services.

A picture colorwashed in ultraviolet, hot pink, and orange showing protestors with a sign that says "No Justice, No Peace"

Speaker Event: Movement Lawyering

Davida Finger, director of the Gillis Long Poverty Law Center, recently moderated a panel on movement lawyering. Learn more here.

Top School for Public Service

PreLaw Magazine ranks Loyola University New Orleans College of Law #12 in Best Law Schools for Public Service.

Programs for Students

The Gillis Long Poverty Law Center gives Loyola law students opportunities to serve the greater good while supplementing their coursework with real world legal research and practice.

Summer Internship Program

Fall and Spring Internship Program

Pro Bono Program

Why Choose Gillis Long?

Melia Cerrato smiling and holding a book

Melia Cerrato, J.D. '21

The program is beneficial to students because it supports students who are interested in civil legal aid by allowing us to work with great public interest attorneys, gain hands-on experience, and allowed me to feel like I was gaining practical experience, especially after 1L year. It can also be a great source of community to meet like-minded students and attorneys.

Armando Troche-Dávila sitting at a table in a courtyard by the Law Clinic building

Armando J. Troche-Dávila, J.D. '20

I worked for the Pro Bono Project through Gillis Long. The value of Gillis Long lies in the opportunity to help those in need, and working with people who care about providing students with legal experience. I would recommend Gillis Long to any student in search for exposure to the legal profession, regardless of what legal field they intend to practice.

Patrick Jackson smiling and leaning in front of a window

Patrick Jackson, J.D. '20

Working with Gillis Long was a fulfilling experience. I enjoyed helping clients at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services avoid foreclosure and solve other housing issues. No matter what advocacy route you want to pursue, Gillis Long is a great start.

Slide /

Graduates Giving Back

After graduating from law school, many alumni want to pursue public interest careers. The Gillis Long Poverty Law Center financially supports graduates committed to serving the legal needs of low-income communities.

Graduates for Justice

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Gillis Long Social Justice Fellowship