EPIC was formed in 1989 by students committed to making public interest jobs accessible to Emory Law students. Since that time, EPIC has been active in fundraising to provide summer grants for students who accept volunteer positions with public interest organizations, and has expanded to offer mentorship and programming to increase support for public interest pathways at Emory Law.
EPIC has the benefit of Emory Law alumni who are dedicated to public service and serve on EPIC’s Advisory Board. These attorneys work in legal aid, nonprofits, the public defender’s office, and law firms throughout Atlanta.
EPIC Conference
Held annually in the fall, the EPIC Conference brings together students, professors, alumni and community members for a day-long conference focusing on a public-interest related topic. Recent EPIC Conference themes have included:
- 2023: Balancing the Scales: Fostering Mental Health Awareness in the Law
- 2022: The Case for Reparations
- 2021: Housing Beyond the BeltLine
Inspiration Award
One of the law school's signature events, the EPIC Inspiration Awards recognize members of our community who do extraordinary work in the public interest and celebrate Emory Law students’ commitment to pro bono and public interest work. The Inspiration Awards are also a major fundraiser for EPIC’s public interest summer grants.
Programs
EPIC Book and Supplement Sales
EPIC collects used textbooks and supplements and offers them for sale at the beginning and middle of each semester. Proceeds support EPIC’s summer public interest grants. EPIC will donate any books more than one edition older than the current edition in use to Liberian law students. Drop your books, supplements, study guides, flashcards, etc. in EPIC's donation bins, located at the bottom of the stairs connecting Gambrell Hall to the law library, just behind the small elevator.
Mentorship and Coffee Chats
EPIC’s public interest mentorship program pairs 1L students with 2L or 3L mentors to provide advice on navigating pathways to a public interest career. EPIC Board members also host Coffee Chats throughout the year, inviting students to stop by to discuss clinics, internship/externship opportunities, public interest curriculum, and more.
Public Interest Programming
Throughout the year, EPIC sponsors and co-sponsors speakers and other events of interest to the Emory Law public interest community.