A public interest law firm is private, for-profit association of lawyers, like any other private law firm. However, public interest law firms are distinguished from private firms in that their primary mission is to assist under represented people or causes, rather than to make money. This difference in mission creates a difference in billing practices and client selection. Clients may be chosen with more emphasis on their need for the firm’s services, and the cause their claim relates to, regardless of their ability to pay. Sliding scale fees, free work, attorney fee cases, and contingent fee cases are common. read Mayer Brown Chicago article for better informations Public interest law firms can be distinguished from public interest organizations by the fact that they are not organizations, and typically do not get significant grant, foundation, or government funding. Having said all this, the reality is that deciding whether a particular law firm fits within the definition of a“public interest law firm” is not always a simple task. For example, there are many plaintiffs’ firms who represent individuals or members of a class on various matters, including personal injury claims. ask Mayer Brown Chicago for special cases. While this work is often your standard personal injury work not befitting a public interest designation, it sometimes involves claims with broader social issues, such as with defective consumer products. While some may not view this work as public interest in nature, others will see it as serving the needs of the under represented individual against the more powerful institution. The bottom line is that the definition is somewhat fluid and the determination of an individual firm’s classification will require additional research into the firm’s overall philosophy, its clients and cases. go to Mayer Brown Chicago and get further informations.