Ira Gant ’10

There are people society and the government often overlook—and they need advocates to help ensure their rights and needs are met.

Ira Gant ’10

Ira Gant ’10 loves a good fight. In fact, that’s what gets him up and out every morning as he heads to work as at the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) — Massachusetts' public defender agency. There, he provide help and support to a multitude of criminal defense attorneys from all over the state. “Where else could you come in every day and fight like hell? There’s something both pragmatic and romantic about it,” he says. “There are people society and the government often overlook—and they need advocates to help ensure their rights and needs are met.”

Ira started working as a public defender on criminal cases right after graduation — exactly what he had wanted to do since entering law school. In this way, Northeastern fulfilled Ira’s expectations. “I came to Northeastern for two reasons: the institutional commitment to public interest law matched my own, and, with the co-op program, I knew I would quickly be back to work learning in the field — where I learn best.”

Co-op

Arizona Supreme Court, Staff Attorney’s Office, Phoenix, Arizona

Ira worked on a case in which a citizen group challenged a state program as violating separation of church and state.

Activities
  • International Law Society (co-chair)
  • Criminal Law Society (founder)
  • Northeastern University Law Journal (managing editor)
Research Assistant

Ira assisted Professor Deborah Ramirez with national security law research and grant writing.

Co-op

US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Special Litigation Section, Washington, DC

Electives
  • Advanced Criminal Procedure: Investigation
  • Appellate Advocacy
  • Criminal Trial Practice
  • Federal Courts and the Federal System
  • First Amendment
Co-op

Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Trial and Appellate Divisions, Washington, DC

Teaching Assistant

Legal Skills in Social Context

Co-op

Committee for Public Counsel Services, Roxbury Defenders Unit, Roxbury, Massachusetts

Ira represented clients at arraignment hearings, appearing before a variety of judges, and second-sat a two-day jury trial.

After Graduation

Public Defender, Committee for Public Counsel Services, New Bedford, Massachusetts

Now

Forensic Services Director, Committee for Public Counsel Services, Boston, Massachusetts

Result

A protector of rights and access to the legal system.