Equal Justice Works (EJW) Career Fair
The Equal Justice Works (EJW) Career Fair is the largest national public interest legal career fair and offers the opportunity to interview with public interest and public sector employers from across the U.S. for 2L summer and post-grad positions. It was typically held in Washington, D.C., but has been held virtually the past few years, making it much easier for Berkeley Law students to participate! The deadline to apply for pre-scheduled interviews with employers participating in the EJW Career Fair is usually sometime in September and interviews usually happen in October. This year, the deadline to apply for jobs through the Fair is September 11 at 11:59 p.m ET and interviews will take place online from October 8-9, 2026. You can view here the employers who registered to participate last year in 2025 and the positions for which they were hiring. More information for the 2026 Career Fair should be available sometime over the summer.
For 2Ls, this event is a great way to learn more about and apply to interview with lots of different organizations in one place.
For 3Ls, this event is one of the primary vehicles for post-grad recruiting for many of the public interest employers who attend, especially those outside of California, and especially entry-level criminal trial practice jobs (including public defense).
In August, students will receive additional information via email from the CDO, including registration instructions, key deadlines, and employer information.
NorCal PI/PS Day
UC Berkeley Law, together with five other Northern California area law schools, co-sponsors the annual Public Interest/Public Sector Career Day (“PI/PS Day”), which brings together approximately 100+ public interest and federal, state, and local government agencies from California and neighboring states. This interview program is usually held virtually in late January/early February and open to 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls.
Several participating organizations conduct pre-scheduled interviews during this event for summer and post-graduate PIPS positions. The deadline for students to submit application materials for employers interviewing at the event is generally early to mid-January. (See who is coming, or who came most recently.)
Many organizations also participate in the “Table Talk” component where students have the opportunity to meet with employers and talk with them about their work and immediate or future employment opportunities. The “Table Talk” format gives students the flexibility and freedom to move from employer to employer at their own leisure, giving the feel of in-person career fairs/meet and greets.
In 2026, table talk and interviews took place January 30-31, 2026. Student job applications were due by January 9, 2026 at 12pm to be considered for interviews.
In December 2026, students will receive additional information via email from the CDO about PI/PS Day 2027, including registration instructions, key deadlines, and employer information.