Mission and History

The Justice Center inspires, equips, and empowers Texas Law students to serve the public interest. Our work includes:

The William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law was created in 2004 when the law school joined with Judge William Wayne Justice’s former law clerks and many admirers to establish it in his honor. The Justice Center is a comprehensive resource for students, faculty, alumni, and the community.

Since its inception, the Justice Center has steadily expanded its programming and scope. Dedicated to promoting a culture and habit of pro bono service by all students, the Justice Center includes the school-wide Richard and Ginni Mithoff Pro Bono Program. We also regularly undertake special projects that bring together research and pro bono work on topics as varied as real estate titles in the wake of natural disasters, expunging criminal records, and supported decision-making by persons with disabilities. Our ongoing staff has grown to include five attorneys, two program coordinators, and numerous students, with additional staff members working with us on specific projects. The Justice Center has awarded over 300 scholarships and fellowships; hosted numerous conferences, lectures and workshops; and involved students and faculty in pro bono projects with community organizations to assist a broad range of individuals and communities, including veterans, homeowners, hurricane victims, immigrant detainees, and Austin artists.