Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

Public Interest Center Director Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz is dedicated to helping St. John’s Law students serve the greater good through public interest and pro bono work. Ortiz-Ortiz, who has a background in disaster response and legal aid, believes in the importance of ensuring a fair and equitable justice system for all individuals.

Reflecting on her career path, Ortiz-Ortiz shared, “When you see the impact major disasters have on communities where you grew up, you can’t help but feel a sense of responsibility to do something.” This sense of responsibility led her to work in disaster response and recovery efforts, as well as in roles focused on expanding access to legal aid and pro bono services.

Ortiz-Ortiz's experience has shaped her approach to public interest work, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions and collaboration across professions. She highlighted the importance of developing the next generation of lawyers to think creatively and work with other professionals to address legal needs in communities.

At St. John’s Law, Ortiz-Ortiz is excited to work directly with students who she sees as the future changemakers in the legal profession. She values the inclusive environment at the law school and is passionate about fostering a community focused on public interest work and representation.

In addition to her role at St. John’s, Ortiz-Ortiz is actively involved in volunteer service, including serving as co-director of the ABA Disaster Legal Services Program and participating in various public interest committees and efforts. Her dedication to public service has been recognized, earning her a place among the ABA's Top 40 Young Lawyers On the Rise.

Looking ahead, Ortiz-Ortiz has ambitious goals for the Public Interest Center at St. John’s Law. She aims to expand partnerships with public interest organizations, increase fundraising efforts for the Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program, and further engage the alumni network in supporting public interest initiatives. Above all, she hopes to raise awareness about the impact of innovative public interest work and pro bono services on communities.

As she completes her first academic year at St. John’s Law, Ortiz-Ortiz is enthusiastic about the fulfilling work that lies ahead, stating, “This work is so fulfilling, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds!”