These changes did not come out of nowhere. Nor did they spring from the self-enlightenment of law school deans. Law students organized civil rights work and even went to jail for their beliefs, illuminating the conscience of cloistered law professors. Law students insisted that poverty law and environmental law be added to the curriculum. They also demanded that corporate firms report their pro bono efforts to them.
Times are quieter now.
But that does not mean law students cannot use their new skills and status to improve society. This is important, because you need a sense of injustice in order to have a sense of justice. The doors opened by your predecessors give you opportunity. There are summer stipends, loan forgiveness policies and public interest coordinators in placement offices. But it still isn't easy.