Samuel L. Greenebaum Public Service Program
At the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, public service isn’t an extracurricular activity—it’s a core part of what it means to be a lawyer.
As one of the first five law schools in the nation to integrate a public service requirement into the curriculum, Brandeis Law has long demonstrated its commitment to producing thoughtful, civic-minded graduates who understand the law as both a profession and a public trust.
Since its founding in 1992, the Samuel L. Greenebaum Public Service Program has provided students with hands-on, supervised legal experience in settings that serve the public good. Made possible through the generosity of Richard and Jane Eskind and John S. Greenebaum, the program honors their father, Samuel L. Greenebaum, a respected Louisville attorney and civic leader whose legacy of service continues to inspire.
A Legacy Inspired by Justice Brandeis
Justice Louis D. Brandeis—our namesake—believed law schools should cultivate not only reason and judgment but also a deep sense of public responsibility. In his 1905 speech, The Opportunity in the Law, he urged lawyers to serve the public and warned of a legal system too often aligned with powerful interests.
Justice Brandeis practiced what he preached, earning the nickname “the people’s lawyer” by offering pro bono legal services and championing causes that improved public welfare. His pioneering “Brandeis Brief” introduced the use of social science in legal argument and helped establish the foundation for modern public interest law.
The Greenebaum Program carries forward that legacy—building a culture of service and empowering students to pursue justice.
What the Program Offers
Brandeis Law students gain valuable experience through a variety of structured public service opportunities:
Pro Bono Graduation Requirement
All students must complete 30 hours of supervised legal public service to graduate.One-Week Projects for 1Ls
First-year students can satisfy the requirement through immersive winter break placements that allow early exposure to client service and legal systems.Paid Summer Fellowships
Competitive fellowships support full-time summer placements at legal aid organizations, nonprofits, and public interest firms across the country and abroad.Public Service Internships
Students engage in supervised legal work—including client interviews, research, writing, court appearances, and policy analysis—at approved public service placements.Lawlapalooza
This annual fundraiser brings together Louisville’s legal community to support student fellowships, including the prestigious Ellen Ewing Fellowship at the Legal Aid Society.
Where Our Students Serve
Greenebaum fellows have completed meaningful placements across a wide range of organizations:
Government Agencies
Including U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Commonwealth’s Attorneys, Public Defenders, and Departments of Public Advocacy.Nonprofit Legal Services
Such as the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic and the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky.International & Out-of-State
With organizations like the International Justice Mission (Uganda), Equal Justice Center (Texas), and Navy JAG (Italy).Judicial Internships
With judges at the Jefferson County Circuit Court and the Kentucky Court of Appeals, among others.
These placements provide more than academic enrichment—they prepare students to lead with compassion, serve with integrity, and advocate for justice wherever their careers take them.
A Foundation for a Career of Impact
Whether serving in a courtroom, community clinic, or international NGO, Brandeis Law students carry forward a tradition of service that extends far beyond graduation. The Greenebaum Public Service Program ensures that every student has the opportunity to serve, grow, and make a difference—starting on day one.
