Old Wine In New Bottles: Public Interest Lawyering In The Era Of Privatization

Abstract

The movement towards privatization has created a sea change in the practice of public interest law. This change has given rise to legitimate concerns regarding transparency and participation in the changed regulatory environment Focus has moved from advocacy on behalf of disadvantaged client groups to a greater variety and broader array of practice models. "Old Wine in New Bottles" examines this issue through the lens of a public interest law firm in Wisconsin, using its experience in welfare reform, telecommunications, and health care. An analysis of this experience reveal that transparency and participation can be maintained in a privatized environment by adapting lawyering strategies to the altered context.