The Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 2022 to engage in direct litigation of social justice cases, advocacy, and education.

Inspired by the success of the Barbara McDowell Foundation’s Pro Bono High Impact Litigation Project, we established the Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center as an affiliated organization.

The High Impact Litigation Project has been part of the Foundation’s work since 2010. Under its auspices, the Foundation coordinated the initiation of more than 20 high impact social justice litigation cases but did not conduct its own litigation. The Foundation established the Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center to pursue litigation directly, engage in advocacy efforts, and educate the public on civil rights. 

While the Foundation and Public Interest Law Center are separate organizations, the two share common Board members and often engage in coordinated efforts.