public-interest law

noun

1. a branch of law that often utilizes class-action suits to protect the interest of a large group or of the public at large, as in matters relating to racial discrimination, air pollution, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of public-interest law¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

He was arrested, jailed for three days and was not allowed to make a phone call or see an attorney, according to the Institute for Justice, a public-interest law firm that is representing him.

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“This settlement has some strong accountability measures that should help ensure students get the resources they need,” said attorney Chelsea Kehrer of Morrison Foerster, which filed the suit in tandem with the public-interest law firm Public Counsel.

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The lawyers who represent the New Jersey-based fishermen, are working pro bono and belong to a public-interest law firm, Cause of Action, that discloses no donors and reports having no employees.

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Both the school’s attorney and a public-interest law firm representing an Orthodox Jewish coalition hailed the ruling as protecting the rights of religious employers.

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Both Ms. Carpenter and her attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom, the public-interest law firm that won the high court’s decision in 303 Creative v.

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