Pro bono opportunities exist at many law schools.
Law schools across the country are working to educate future lawyers while simultaneously giving access to those in need. Pro bono (no charge) legal services allow students to apply classroom studies into real world experience. A faculty member or a practicing lawyer always oversees any case to ensure proper representation for clients.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia School of Law challenges students by encouraging at least 25 hours per year of pro bono work. Public legal services are not a part of this program nor are any legal referrals. Groups that the university assists include Child Health Advocacy Project, Immigrant Jail Outreach Project and the Veterans Medical Disability Appeals Pro Bono program.
Villanova University
Villanova University School of Law offers many programs to assist people with legal issues while showing students what fields of law might be their specialty. One such program, Lawyering Together, pairs students with local practicing attorneys. Senior Law Center and Support Center for Child Advocates are some of the Philadelphia charities that benefit from the university's pro bono work. Cases from these organizations span across topics such as wills, adoption, custody, immigration and consumer rights. In addition to community service projects, Villanova gives students who plan to go into public service careers a 100 percent tuition waiver through the Public Interest Scholars program. This requires the student to complete three of the first five years of post graduate work in a public interest position, which furthers pro bono opportunities.
Marquette University
Marquette University Law School promotes public service among its faculty and student body. A full time pro bono coordinator helps to place students in one of the university's programs or independently in communities. The Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic provides walk-in legal aid clinics at several locations in the Milwaukee area. Local attorneys volunteer alongside law students to provide legal advice. Referrals are available if necessary. The Know Your Rights program brings law students to the Kenosha Detention Center to offer legal information to immigrants in the facility. This program operates with the National Immigrant Justice Center.
Stanford
Stanford Law School encourages public service for all students with the recommendation of at least 50 pro bono hours during their studies. The university works to assist Bay Area agencies on immigrant rights issues as well as the ACLU for first amendment rights cases. The housing Pro Bono program and the Volunteer Attorney program use students to provide legal assistance and advice in the community alongside practicing lawyers.
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