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The Public Justice Center:
Challenging the Legal and Social Systems that Cause Injustice
We all see the faces of the hungry, the homeless, those without medical care, and the hard-working people who struggle to support their families. But we know that sympathy is not enough: we must confront the institutions, laws and attitudes that create or allow injustice.
The Public Justice Center pursues progressive, widespread and lasting social change by giving a legal voice to people who have been shut out of or ignored by society. We engage in projects and cases that have widespread impact, not just for individuals but for entire classes of people.
The Public Justice Center uses coordinated strategies to pursue widespread social change: we engage in individual, class action, and appellate litigation; legislative and policy advocacy; and public education. Our work is:
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Transforming school systems to ensure that homeless children get their right to go to school. [More on Homeless Children's Education].
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Representing a group of immigrant workers who were fired for confronting an employer about discriminatory wages. [More on Workers Rights.]
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Challenging Maryland's "eviction mill" courts that process up to a thousand cases a day in 30-second trials. [More on Tenant Advocacy].
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Cutting through the red tape that keeps those who can't afford healthcare from getting the medical attention they need. [More on Health Rights].
The Public Justice Center will continue to change the legal and social systems that allow injustice to exist, and the examples above are just a few of our cases and projects. (Learn more about Our Work.) Skillful legal advocacy, long-term commitment to our projects and clients, and strategic use of the full range of advocacy tools are the principles of our practice. Together, we are creating a society where justice is truly for all. Join us.
Pursuing Systemic Change to Build a More Just Society
John Nethercut, Executive Director
John Nethercut joined the PJC as the Executive Director in August 2002.
Mr. Nethercut received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1982, and a B.A. in Anthropology, with Honors, from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana in 1978. He came to the PJC after 14 years with the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland, where he had been a Deputy Chief of the Consumer Protection Division. Mr. Nethercut supervised complex litigation involving consumer fraud, appeals, legislation, and media and community relations for the Consumer Protection Division. Previously, Mr. Nethercut worked for seven years in legal services organizations in Indiana, Ohio, and upstate New York, where he represented tenants and tenant unions, community organizations, and farm workers. He is also active in Baltimore's nonprofit community and housing development organizations.