Overview

“It is the daily; it is the small; it is the cumulative injuries of little people that we are here to protect...If we are able to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment:
Thou shalt not ration justice.”
-Learned Hand
Address at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Legal Aid Society of New York

The goals of the Stanford Law School (SLS) Pro Bono Program are many. SLS views the Pro Bono Program as integral to its commitment to excellence in legal education. Equally important, SLS seeks to advance the ethical standards of the American Bar Association, which urge lawyers to aspire to provide significant pro bono publico legal services. But to best understand the reasons for SLS's vibrant public service programs, one need only consider the words of the students themselves:

In the rush of finals, research papers and cramming for the bar exam, Valerie McConnell, JD'10 took the time to write the Levin Center: “My fondest memories at Stanford Law School are from my pro bono work. I can think of no better way to have spent my time in law school.”

Valerie was not alone. Typically a third or more of the members of each class graduate with Pro Bono Distinction, meaning they spent at least 50 hours using their legal skills in unpaid public service during law school. Some, like Valerie, worked at the Opportunity Center -- advocating for homeless clients seeking Social Security Disability benefits -- or elsewhere in the Stanford Law School neighborhood, offering legal assistance to at-risk youth in the Streetlaw program. Others reached out to the world: Fashioning a new legal system through the Afghanistan Legal Project; researching best practices for international businesses through the International Business Pro Bono Colloquium or finding legal referrals for asylum seekers.

Why do so many students volunteer? Certainly, their reasons are as complex and unique as the students themselves, but there are common motivations: The need is dire; they learn a lot; it's fulfilling; and it's fun. Everyone, regardless of their career goals, can participate.

If you want to find out more, check out the Pro Bono Program Student Handbook.

If you have questions, please contact Betsy de la Vega, Director of Pro Bono and Externship Programs at delavega@law.stanford.edu.

Pro Bono Policy

Stanford Law School (SLS) strives to educate and train the best lawyers in the country through its curriculum and programs. SLS established the Pro Bono Program to ensure that its students and faculty have opportunities to increase their knowledge and legal skills, and to serve the public.

The ethical standards of the American legal profession state that lawyers should aspire to provide significant pro bono publico legal services. Members of the legal profession advance the common good through rigorous representation of clients and dedication to ethical standards that require them to serve the public. SLS similarly expects its students and faculty to aspire to provide such service. For the purposes of this policy, law-related pro bono work includes any uncompensated public service in which legal skills are exercised.

All students are encouraged to participate in the Pro Bono Program. Ideally, students will undertake at least 50 hours of law-related pro bono work during their time at the Law School. Clinical coursework over and above the number of hours set by clinical instructors as appropriate for their course may be counted toward this standard. A student who meets the 50 hour goal will be recognized for his or her community service at a reception in their honor, the annual Public Interest Awards ceremony and graduation.

If you have any questions, please contact Betsy de la Vega, Director of Pro Bono and Externship Programs, at delavega@law.stanford.edu.

Organizations Seeking SLS Pro Bono Help

We always welcome the opportunity to form new partnerships with non-profit organizations who would like to participate in Stanford Law School's Pro Bono Program. If you are the representative of a non-profit or governmental organization that would like to explore a possible collaboration with the Levin Center, please contact Betsy de la Vega, Director of Pro Bono and Externship Programs, at delavega@law.stanford.edu.

Please note that if you are an individual seeking pro bono representation, the SLS Pro Bono Program is, unfortunately, not in a position to be of assistance. Because law students are not authorized to practice law without licensed-attorney supervision, the Pro Bono Program allows only for student involvement under the guidance of attorneys employed by non-profit or government agencies.