Overview

Stanford Law School (SLS) is committed to excellence in legal education and views pro bono legal service as integral to that goal. SLS also seeks to advance the ethical standards of the legal profession in the United States, which state that lawyers should aspire to provide significant pro bono publico legal services. As stated by the American Bar Association:

The legal profession is, at its foundation, about service: service to individuals, to organizations, and to private and public entities. "Public service," however, has a special meaning for the legal profession. This meaning may be debatable around the edges, but at its core is the responsibility of the profession to insure access to justice for all by meeting not only the legal needs of those who can afford a lawyer but also the legal needs of those individuals and communities that cannot. This responsibility is met both by lawyers working fulltime in the public sector and by lawyers in the private sector who provide pro bono service. Pro bono comes for the Latin "pro bono publico" and means "for the public good."

By doing pro bono work and, hopefully, clinical work in the 2L and 3L years, students learn important skills, such as legal research and writing, client interviewing and the crafting of legal arguments, among others, early in their legal careers. These skills greatly benefit students as they begin their careers in the public interest sector, government or law firms. Doing pro bono work also helps students to contextualize what they are learning in their classes and gives them "real world" experience. Students discover, first-hand, how the ability to navigate the complexities of the law can make a tremendous difference in the lives of the people that they help — whether it is preventing a person's eviction from her home or filing a temporary restraining order against an abusive partner.

Pro Bono Program

Like other programs under the auspices of the John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law, the Pro Bono Program is designed to inspire, teach, cultivate the interests and passions of, and provide experiential learning opportunities for law school students.

During the first year of law school, students are asked to enlist in the Pro Bono Program by completing the Registration Form, pledging to undertake at least 50 hours of pro bono work over the course of three years.

Students who wish to participate in pro bono activities must complete two mandatory training sessions (see question #3 on the FAQ webpage). They are also asked to complete a Placement Form in which they will rank the various pro bono programs in order of preference.

There are a number of pro bono programs from which students can choose:

• Alternative Spring Break
• Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project
• Elder Law Pro Bono Program
• Equality Pro Bono Project
• Fresh Lifelines for Youth
• Guardianship Pro Bono Program
• Housing Pro Bono Program
• Immigration Pro Bono Program
• Medical-Legal Collaborative Pro Bono Program
• Stanford Law School Social Security Disability Project
• StreetLaw
• Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
• Student Hurricane Network
• Volunteer Attorney Program

Additional information about each of the pro bono programs listed above can be found under "Pro Bono Opportunities."

If a student wishes to do pro bono work that is not covered by the opportunities listed above, he or she should contact the Director of the Pro Bono Program.

Students who wish to graduate with pro bono distinction (see question #21 on the FAQ webpage) must complete a Student Evaluation Form. This form asks for details such as the nature of the service performed, the recipients of the service, the approximate time spent and the relation of the service to law.

Students may receive feedback about their pro bono work by requesting that their supervising attorneys complete a Supervisor's Evaluation Form.

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.

For more information, please contact the Pro Bono Program Coordinator at dcover@law.stanford.edu.

FAQ

1. What is pro bono service?
2. Does Stanford Law School (SLS) have a mandatory pro bono requirement?
3. When can students begin doing pro bono work?
4. Do training sessions, including the two initial training sessions mentioned above, count towards pro bono credit?
5. Does commute time to and from an organization count towards pro bono credit?
6. What organizations can students work with to receive pro bono credit?
7. How are students placed in the various programs listed under "Pro Bono Opportunities"?
8. Does legal research for a faculty member count towards pro bono credit?
9. Does a judicial clerkship count towards pro bono credit?
10. Does work on a political campaign count towards pro bono credit?
11. Does clinical work undertaken during a student's 2L and/or 3L years count towards pro bono credit?
12. Does pro bono work undertaken as a summer associate at a law firm count towards pro bono credit?
13. May students initiate their own pro bono projects?
14. Can students do pro bono work for more than one organization?
15. Are there any forums in which students can discuss the pro bono work that they undertake?
16. Does receipt of a Levin Center summer grant preclude consideration of that summer work as pro bono service?
17. How do students keep track of their pro bono work?
18. How do students give feedback on their pro bono work?
19. How can students receive feedback on their pro bono work?
20. May students be reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with their pro bono work?
21. What types of expenses are eligible for reimbursement?
22. How will students' pro bono work be recognized?

1. What is pro bono service?

The guidelines of the Pro Bono Policy at Stanford Law School (SLS) define pro bono service as "uncompensated volunteer activities that require legal skills." This means that students cannot receive any financial compensation, academic credit or other benefit outside of the volunteer work itself.

Consequently, this definition means that many laudable community service activities with very noble goals, such as volunteering for the Stanford Public Interest Law Foundation Auction and Shaking the Foundations Conference (events that are tangentially law-related, but which rely primarily on non-legal skills including fundraising, publicity, and administrative organizing), do not qualify as pro bono service under Stanford's Pro Bono Policy.

Please understand that credit exclusion from the Pro Bono Program does not imply that an activity or event is any less important or that its goals are less worthy. Credit exclusion from the Pro Bono Program merely indicates that the event or activity is not within the scope of activities approved by this particular program.

2. Does SLS have a mandatory pro bono requirement?

No. SLS has a voluntary pro bono program. Students are encouraged to complete the Pro Bono Registration Form and start what is intended to inspire a life-long commitment to pro bono work. By signing this form, students agree to undertake at least 50 hours of law-related pro bono work during their three years at SLS.

3. When can students begin doing pro bono work?

Students may begin doing pro bono work immediately following the completion of two mandatory training sessions offered by the Pro Bono Program. The sessions cover 1) ethics and professional responsibility and 2) interviewing skills and issues of cultural competency, and are offered each fall. In addition, most programs require additional training in their substantive legal areas.

4. Do training sessions, including the two initial training sessions mentioned above, count towards pro bono credit?

No. Training sessions do not count toward pro bono credit.

5. Does commute time to and from an organization count towards pro bono credit?

No. Only pro bono work performed for the organization counts toward pro bono credit.

6. What organizations can students work with to receive pro bono credit?

Students may work with any of a number of organizations, including but not limited to those listed under the "Pro Bono Opportunities" section of the website. The major requirement for pro bono credit is that the work remains uncompensated and law-related.

7. How are students placed in the various programs listed under "Pro Bono Opportunities"?

1Ls are asked to complete a Pro Bono Program Placement Form during the organizational fair at the beginning of the school year and during the course of the training sessions. Student coordinators of the various pro bono programs will then make assignments based on the student's ranked preferences, the timeliness in which such form was received and language ability. While there are capacity limits for the majority of the programs, every student who signs up for the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project, StreetLaw or the Student Animal Defense Fund will be able to participate in that pro bono program as long as the mandatory training sessions for each program have been completed.

8. Does legal research for a faculty member count towards pro bono credit?

As long as the faculty member is doing work on a pro bono basis and there is no compensation involved then the answer is "yes." To qualify for pro bono credit, any legal research work for a faculty member cannot be solely academic in nature (e.g., doing research for a faculty member's book).

9. Does a judicial clerkship count towards pro bono credit?

No. Judicial clerkships do not qualify for pro bono credit. However, if a student works as an intern for a court, such as family court, then the student may receive pro bono credit.

10. Does work on a political campaign count towards pro bono credit?

No. Unless there is a significant law-related component to the work for the political campaign, such as actively assisting the campaign's legal counsel on matters that are not merely administrative, fundraising or otherwise non-legal in nature, volunteer work for a political campaign does not qualify for pro bono credit.

11. Does clinical work undertaken during a student's 2L and/or 3L years count towards pro bono credit?

Yes. Clinical coursework over and above the number of hours set by clinical instructors as appropriate for their respective clinics may be counted towards this standard.

12. Does pro bono work undertaken as a summer associate at a law firm count towards pro bono credit?

No. Pro bono work undertaken as a summer associate at a law firm does not qualify for pro bono credit since summer associates are compensated positions. If a student chooses to continue with the pro bono project after the summer associate program ends, pro bono credit may be awarded, provided all work remains uncompensated and law-related.

13. May students initiate their own pro bono projects?

Yes. The Pro Bono Program encourages students to consult with the Director of the Pro Bono Program as well as the leaders of existing student-run organizations to discuss their pro bono ideas and what is involved.

14. Can students do pro bono work for more than one organization?

Yes. However, students are encouraged to devote at least 10 hours to a single organization in order to ensure a more rewarding pro bono experience. A list of our current pro bono program opportunities is listed on this website.

15. Are there any forums in which students can discuss the pro bono work that they undertake?

Yes. Reflection sessions will be scheduled to allow students to discuss their pro bono work experiences with the Director of the Pro Bono Program, faculty members, Public Interest Fellows or 2Ls and 3Ls that are currently active in pro bono work.

16. Does receipt of a Levin Center summer grant preclude consideration of that summer work as pro bono service?

Yes. The Pro Bono Program considers the award of a Levin Center summer grant to be compensation for a summer internship. However, any work performed in excess of the 400 hour work requirement may be considered pro bono service and is eligible for pro bono credit.

17. How do students keep track of their pro bono work?

Students will be asked to submit evaluation forms after the completion of each pro bono project to the Director of the Pro Bono Program.

18. How do students give feedback on their pro bono work?

There is a section on the Student Evaluation Form which gives students the opportunity to provide feedback on their pro bono experience.

19. How can students receive feedback on their pro bono work?

If a student would like feedback on his or her pro bono work, he or she should complete Part I of the Supervisor's Evaluation Form and give the form to the supervisor for his or her input. Students should routinely ask their supervisors for feedback throughout their pro bono experience as well.

20. May students be reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with their pro bono work?

Yes. Students are eligible to apply for project funding assistance for actual expenses, up to a maximum of $100 per calendar year. After the student incurs the expense(s), he or she must complete the Reimbursement Application and submit original receipts for approval by the Executive Director of the Levin Center. Funds are limited and cannot be committed to students in advance; they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

21. What types of expenses are eligible for reimbursement?

Examples of expenses acceptable for reimbursement include recorded mileage, parking fees or bridge tolls.

22. How will students' pro bono work be recognized?

Each student who meets the 50 hour pro bono work goal will be recognized for his or her pro bono service at a reception in their honor, the annual Public Interest Awards Ceremony and graduation. They will also receive a Pro Bono Distinction lapel pin to wear during graduation.

Forms

• Registration Form
• Placement Form
• Funding Application
• Student Evaluation Form
• Supervisor's Evaluation Form

Pro Bono Opportunities

Alternative Spring Break

Each year, the Pro Bono Program designates an organization with which students can work during spring break and, if appropriate, winter break as well. In winter 2005 and spring 2006, Stanford Law School (SLS) students traveled to the Gulf Coast to assist communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In light of the continued state of crisis in the Gulf Coast, the program worked with the Student Hurricane Network to place students in various local organizations such as the Mississippi Center for Justice during the winter and spring breaks of the 2006-2007 academic year.

Students who participated in the Spring 2007 trip were asked to respond to the questions below. For a video of their first-hand accounts and experiences, please click the links below.

1. What was something that you didn't expect or found particularly illuminating about your Alternative Spring Break experience and how did it change the way that you thought?
2. Can you describe an experience that you found especially memorable or informative?
3. Given what you experienced, what is the most important role that law school students played in the process?
4. How did your experience in the Gulf Coast affect your thinking about the legal system and your own legal career?
5. What was the single most important thing you learned from your experience?
6. Would you recommend this experience to other students?
7. How did the people in the community respond to your pro bono work?
8. What was the reaction from your law school classmates when you told them of your experience?

Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project

The Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project, initiated and directed by Women of Stanford Law with Bay Area Legal Aid, assists survivors of domestic violence in applying for temporary restraining orders. The project is unique because applicants receive restraining orders on the same day they apply. Volunteers also monitor domestic violence proceedings in court and provide community outreach to increase utilization of the project's services.

Elder Law Pro Bono Program

The Elder Law Pro Bono Program gives students the opportunity to provide legal assistance to seniors on issues related to consumer law and government benefits under the supervision of Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County attorneys. A training session on these two legal areas takes place either on campus or in East Palo Alto while intakes generally occur at the Legal Aid office in San Mateo. During the semester, students must commit to two intake sessions per month. Intake sessions are held on Fridays between 10 a.m. and noon every other week and cover either consumer law or government benefits. At the initial intake, students observe how an intake is conducted. Thereafter, students assist in/conduct client intakes and, under the supervision of a Legal Aid attorney, perform follow-up legal work.

Equality Pro Bono Project

The Equality Pro Bono Project gives students the opportunity to assist the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) in responding to people calling the NCLR Legal Helpline about LGBT issues. This program seeks six motivated students for the project to respond to calls and e-mails to the Legal Helpline. These students are the faces and voices of NCLR. Students interact with members of the community who contact NCLR for help, handling their questions from start to finish under the supervision and training of NCLR staff attorneys.

Students who have not participated in the Project in prior semesters must submit resumes to the Pro Bono Program Coordinator at dcover@law.stanford.edu. Students new to the project must attend a training session at the San Francisco office of NCLR. New participants will have a returning student as a mentor on their first few responses and will participate in weekly conference calls with NCLR staff attorneys. If a student is selected for the project, he or she must commit to completing approximately 2 calls per week; all of the work can be done on the student's own time.

Fresh Lifelines for Youth

Founded in 1988 by Christa Gannon, an SLS alumnus, the mission of Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) is to work with at-risk and marginalized youth to help them gain the life skills and knowledge they need to make better decisions, avoid the criminal justice system and become leaders in their communities. Second- and third-year SLS students currently teach FLY's legal education curriculum in several local public schools. Additionally, they provide case management, mentoring and role modeling for at-risk youth through conversations with parents, weekly telephone conferences with individual students and one field trip per semester. FLY's curriculum includes, among others, lessons on hate crimes, drugs and alcohol, gangs, the role of the police, three strikes and mock trials.

Guardianship Pro Bono Program

The Guardianship Pro Bono Program is aimed primarily at first-year law students and includes on-site training in interviewing and basic guardianship law. After the training, each student conducts an initial interview with a client who seeks the guardianship of minors (e.g., grandchildren) to enable them to make legal decisions for such minors. The students then consult with volunteer attorneys on how to advise the client as well as next steps. Intake sessions take place in the evenings in East Palo Alto. Students need only commit to one intake session per semester which lasts approximately three to four hours, but may be able to do additional intake sessions if desired.

Housing Pro Bono Program

The Housing Pro Bono Program seeks to provide low-income individuals in the Bay Area with adequate and affordable housing. Most of the program's clients seek relief from evictions and uninhabitable housing conditions. The students and program staff also currently engage in community organization, education and activism projects. To participate in the Housing Pro Bono Program, a minimum time commitment of three afternoon/evenings per semester is required. Each session lasts approximately four hours and requires a brief follow-up memo. Students are supervised by a Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto attorney.

Immigration Pro Bono Program

There are two different immigration pro bono programs in which students can participate.

The Domestic Violence Immigration Advice Project provides free legal assistance to individuals seeking relief or protection under U.S. immigration law who have been victims of crime or domestic violence. Students need not possess foreign language skills or prior immigration law knowledge. There is a preference, however, for those students with Spanish and Mandarin speaking skills. Students must commit to three two-hour intake sessions during the semester at Bay Area Legal Aid's San Mateo office.

Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto provides free legal assistance to individuals seeking relief or protection under U.S. immigration law. Many of the program's clients live in the Bay Area without legal status and wish to become either United States citizens or legal permanent residents. Foreign language skills and prior knowledge of immigration law are not mandatory. Students must commit to three to four two-hour intake sessions during the semester.

Language Bank - New in 2007-08

The Language Bank seeks to provide translation assistance to Pro Bono Programs and Bay Area public interest organizations as the need arises. Students with fluency in a second language are assigned to written and oral translation opportunities on an as-needed basis; therefore, no formal time commitment is required. Volunteers registered with the Language Bank may participate in opportunities both on campus and in local organizations. Students fluent or conversant in Cantonese, Mandarin and Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply.

Medical-Legal Collaborative Pro Bono Program

The Peninsula Family Advocacy Program (FAP) strives to improve the health and welfare of low-income children and their families by providing direct legal services, training health care providers, and addressing policy issues that impact children's health. Students assist FAP by making follow-up phone calls to clients whose cases have been closed for two months. Issues students may discuss with the families include: housing conditions; family law; public benefits; special education; and medical insurance/billing issues. Students conversant in Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply. Required training will include HIPAA Research Training and FAP program training. Students will participate in two two-hour call sessions each semester.

Stanford Law School Social Security Disability Project

Through the SLS Social Security Disability Project, students provide much-needed legal assistance to indigent individuals who have applied for social security disability benefits. The project serves clients from the Opportunity Center of the Midpeninsula a local facility that provides coordinated services and housing to homeless men, women and children.

Under the supervision of SLS' in-house disability attorney, students and volunteer attorneys in the project conduct detailed intake interviews and represent clients at review hearings before an administrative law judge. Students and attorneys may also draft appeals letters and conduct outreach and education in the community. Students participating in the project are asked to participate in a training session and commit to volunteering 20 hours during the semester.

StreetLaw

The objective of StreetLaw is to link law students with at-risk and incarcerated youth in surrounding communities through law-related education. StreetLaw instructors teach young people at Hillcrest Juvenile Hall and the Gateway School in San Mateo about the law and their legal rights. A StreetLaw course "demystifies" the law and helps youth understand how the legal system works and what rights it affords them. In sum, StreetLaw allows youth at risk to develop a positive attitude towards the law and heightens their understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities. Students are asked to commit to volunteering approximately 16 hours during the semester.

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund

The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund pro bono initiative provides students the opportunity to work on cases with local animal law attorneys addressing a variety of substantive areas, including administrative, environmental, contractual and criminal. First-year law students provide legal research and writing support in drafting policy recommendations or conduct potential plaintiff interviews to bring class action claims in animal law cases. Second- and third-year student involvement varies, with past participation including legal research, drafting and filing of complaints, community organizing and client advocacy.

Student Hurricane Network

The Student Hurricane Network is a national association dedicated to providing long-term assistance to communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There are several pro bono opportunities: 1) Spring/Summer/Winter Break Trips, 2) Disaster Preparedness Legal Training Manual, 3) Legislative Advocacy, 4) Matchmakers for Justice and 5) Remote Research. The Spring/Summer/Winter Break Trips require students to travel to the Gulf Coast and commit at least a week to working with a local organization to provide legal assistance to underserved communities; the other opportunities can be undertaken from SLS.

Volunteer Attorney Program

The Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) of Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto provides free legal services to low-income clients in the Bay Area. VAP does not focus on any one type of case, but instead counsels clients on wide-ranging issues such as personal injury, debt consolidation, contracts, consumer law, real estate, insurance, small claims and more. VAP participant responsibilities include conducting interviews, collecting facts, drafting memos and in some cases, providing brief services to the client. Students must commit to a minimum of two intake sessions during the semester.

More programs are under development for the 2007-08 academic year. Please contact the Pro Bono Program Coordinator at dcover@law.stanford.edu for more information on any of these upcoming projects.

Consumer Law Pro Bono Program

Counterterrorism Pro Bono Program

International Pro Bono Program

Transactional Pro Bono Program

Organizations Seeking Pro Bono Help

From time to time, the Pro Bono Program receives requests from organizations seeking pro bono help. The Pro Bono Program will only consider requests from non-profit organizations. If an organization would like assistance with intake opportunities, it must respond to the questions under "Intake Opportunities" below. If the pro bono opportunity involves legal research, the organization must provide the information under "Research Opportunities." Answers should be submitted to the Pro Bono Program Coordinator at dcover@law.stanford.edu.

Intake Opportunities

Please describe the legal issues that students would learn through this pro bono opportunity:

1. How many students would the organization need per intake session?
2. When would sessions be held?
3. How many sessions would be held during the course of the semester? (Semesters run from September to December and from January to May.)
4. Where would the intake sessions be held?
5. What is the minimum student time commitment per session and per semester?
6. What type of training would you provide for students and where would training sessions be held?
7. What type of attorney supervision would students have (e.g., what would be the attorney to student ratio)?
8. What would be the scope of students' pro bono work?
9. What type of coursework, if any, should students have completed?
10. Are there any special skills required (e.g., language ability)?
11. How could the Pro Bono Program collaborate with your organization to ensure that students have a meaningful pro bono experience in this area of law?
12. What unmet legal need does this proposed project address?
13. Who would be the primary contact at the organization? (Please provide the name, title, address, telephone number and e-mail address.)

Research Opportunities

Briefly describe the nature of the project and the type of work that the student(s) would need to do:

1. What type of attorney supervision would students have (e.g., what would be the attorney to student ratio?)
2. How many students does the organization need for this project?
3. How many hours will the research take?
4. When is the project due?
5. What type of coursework, if any, should the student have completed?
6. Are there any special skills required (e.g., language ability)?
7. Who would be the primary contact at the organization? (Please provide the name, title, address, telephone number and e-mail address.)

Individuals Seeking Pro Bono Help

From time to time, the Pro Bono Program receives requests from individuals seeking pro bono help. Unfortunately, the program does not offer help on an individual basis.

Student Testimonials

Sabrina Adler, Class of 2008

"Participating in the Pro Bono Program was one of the highlights of my 1L year. In addition to allowing me to get out of the classroom and into the surrounding community, it allowed me to interact with clients in a setting in which I felt like I actually had the opportunity to make a difference. Because Stanford already has a number of pro bono programs established, it was easy to get involved very early in my law school career. I was also able to seek out other pro bono activities that closely matched my interest in health law, and hopefully the connections I've made in doing so will allow more Stanford students with interests similar to mine to get involved as well."

Jessa Barnard, Class of 2008

"Especially in my 1L year, pro bono work served to remind me why I decided to attend law school and showed me the importance of my classwork and what a powerful tool a law degree can be. Law school can start to feel insular, and conducting intake interviews in the Guardianship and Consumer Law Pro Bono Programs gave me a chance to get to know and give back to the community."

Brian Bilford, Class of 2008

"I decided to participate in the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project (DVPBP) not only because I hoped to do some good with my legal training, but also to provide a counterpoint to the heavy doctrinal load of the 1L year. As it turns out, working directly with clients and real cases can be far more rewarding than studying a textbook. Also, my time with DVPBP increased my desire to work in a clinic my 2L year, a choice which made my 2L year immensely more rewarding than it would have been otherwise."

Samantha Brown, Class of 2008

"I do pro bono work because I believe in civic commitment, and as a law student, my time may be best put to use as a pro bono project volunteer. I dedicate significant time to the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project in particular because domestic violence is, sadly, a universal [reality]. The people we help there could be your mom, your brother, you. More than that, the home is where everyone should be safe and at peace. Through a variety of projects, starting with the simple service of helping people navigate restraining order forms, we help people regain their safety, and hopefully, their peace."

Andrew Bruck, Class of 2008

"My experience with the Immigration Pro Bono Program has been incredibly fulfilling. The work reminded me that the practice of law is not some abstract, esoteric exercise; it is a tool for very real and tangible social change. There are over two dozen people in this country who have certain rights because of the legal assistance my supervising attorney and I provided: a battered Mexican woman now has work authorization, a Samoan couple has adopted a child from their homeland, and a Salvadorean college student has obtained United States citizenship. The work reminded me that there’s a reason I spend late nights in the library learning civil procedure and contract law; the work reminded me that my legal education has a purpose."

Tamika Butler, Class of 2009

"I came straight to Stanford Law School from a Jesuit undergraduate university that placed a heavy emphasis on service and commitment to the community. I wanted to continue to pursue many of my service interests, but found that I was quickly buried under assignments and cases. At times, I felt dismayed that theoretical and historical readings and discussion were all that law school had to offer. Then I went to the first meeting of the Pro Bono Program and was surprised by two things. The first was the amazing community at Stanford that was interested in giving back through the Pro Bono Program. I discovered that many of my peers felt the same desire to serve as me, and it was a reassuring feeling that helped me feel at home. The second thing that amazed me was the limitless opportunities that the Pro Bono Program offers. I immediately got involved in the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project and the Volunteer Attorney Program. I also wanted to help the LGBT community and was astounded by how easy it was just to express that desire and then have that desire realized through the formation of a new program, the Equality Pro Bono Project. Through this project, I now have the opportunity to help coordinate domestic violence outreach to the LGBT community and work with one of the nation's leading LGBT rights organizations, the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Stanford Law School has a commitment to pro bono experiences that provide students with opportunities to shape and complement our educational endeavors by exploring our interests and giving back to different communities. I can’t express how much the Pro Bono Program helped me adjust to the law school transition and refocus my energy on the reason I came to law school: to better serve and help others."

Brad Chernin, Class of 2009

"I chose to get involved with the Pro Bono Program because I think it forces a person to take a step back, stop, and look at the larger picture. It provided an opportunity for insight into how the many intersecting factors that create a specific person's situation interact with the legal system. During my first semester at SLS I volunteered with three pro bono initiatives. I joined StreetLaw, which quickly became the highlight of my week, because as a former teacher I missed teaching and knew it would be a great way to continue working with youth and remain cognizant of the many issues that they face. I worked with the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project because it is an issue that cuts across every community in our country and is a cause that I have been involved with since high school. I also had the opportunity to summarize and code deposition testimony of a Title IX athletic discrimination case for Equal Rights Advocates. The project, in addition to being socially important, acquainted me with some of the intricacies of impact litigation that a casebook could never achieve. Through all of these experiences I was able to assist people with their immediate situation, familiarize myself with the contours of the legal system in these settings, and think about what is necessary for long-term systemic reform.

Thanks in large part to all of the great pro bono experiences that the Pro Bono Program makes accessible to 1Ls, I am confident that, moving forward, public interest work will remain a significant part of my life and my career. At SLS, I will continue my involvement with the above groups as well as seek out new experiences (for example, this semester I am adding Fresh Lifelines for Youth to my list of activities). And, while I am not certain of my specific career plans, I am positive that education-related public interest work will be a vital part of them."

Eunice Hyunhye Cho, Class of 2009

"I've appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Domestic Violence Immigration Advice Project. While I worked as an immigrant rights organizer and as a volunteer for a local Korean women's domestic violence project before I came to Stanford, participating in the Domestic Violence Immigration Advice Project made me realize what new tools I had already gained from only one semester in law school. I also began to realize what a tremendous difference pro bono work makes to under-funded, over-worked and dedicated community organizations. One of the clients I worked with--who also coincidentally happened to be a client of the Korean women's domestic violence project that I also work with--had been facing numerous challenges finding legal services. When she walked into the office during our pro bono hours, I realized what a concrete impact that the pro bono work of SLS students have on the lives of people in our community. Law school can be a difficult experience, where it is easy to lose touch with why you wanted to become a lawyer in the first place. These experiences help to keep our heart, head, and feet connected, and remind us of how our legal skills can truly help the world."

Nancy Glass, Class of 2008

"I volunteered for the Immigration Pro Bono Program in East Palo Alto during my 1L year because I was interested in learning more about immigration law and doing something concrete that could be of use to a vulnerable population. I learned about the basics of conducting a client interview, worked with various immigration attorneys to address our clients’ issues, and saw the range of legal problems that immigrants face."

Mindy Jeng, Class of 2009

"The Pro Bono Program provided much-needed grounding for my first semester of law school. Through the Immigration Pro Bono Program, I conducted intake interviews with clients from the East Palo Alto community, discussed the intricacies of immigration law with the volunteer attorneys, and interacted with my classmates in a different environment. My experience showed me how powerful a legal education can be and how important it is that underserved communities receive access to justice. The Pro Bono Program also helped to reaffirm my commitment to doing public interest work after graduation, whether that means undertaking pro bono work in the private sector or working full-time at a public interest organization.

I am also grateful that the Pro Bono Program provides such a wide menu of options for students. During the second semester, I participated in the Medical-Legal Collaborative, which works with health care providers to confront the legal and social causes of poor child health. The availability of a range of opportunities allowed me to pick projects that were tailored to my interests."

Yara Lomeli-Loibl, Class of 2009

"Being involved in pro bono work is important to me because it enables me to give back to the community in which I live. It also shows me the practical application of what I learn in law school which, in turn, makes my classes more interesting and meaningful.

Since I want to pursue a career in public interest law, being involved in pro bono projects allows me to work in different environments and practice areas in public interest law as well. During my first semester, I participated in both StreetLaw and the Immigration Pro Bono Program. In the case of StreetLaw, I was an instructor and went to Juvenile Hall once a week to teach incarcerated youth about their rights and the law. I feel like I learned as much from the youth about the criminal justice system as they did from me! Most importantly, my participation in the Pro Bono Program opened my eyes to the need for accessible legal help, and the power and importance of the law in people's lives. I look forward to participating in many more pro bono projects at Stanford Law School!"

Amy Morgenstern, Class of 2009

"I volunteered for the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project, the Housing Pro Bono Program in East Palo Alto and StreetLaw. In the case of the Housing Pro Bono Program, I had the opportunity to work directly with clients and discuss their issues with attorneys. It was so much fun moving from case to case and client to client. Here was a place where I could finally do something right, really learn something and, hopefully, help people who were vulnerable and scared. For the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project and StreetLaw, I helped clients obtain temporary restraining orders and taught juveniles about their legal rights, respectively. In each of my pro bono experiences, my supervisors were amazing role models whom I hope to emulate when I graduate.

Pro bono work doesn't have to be direct client work and intake interviews, either! I summarized depositions for an important lawsuit for Equal Rights Advocates and conducted legal research for the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. It was extremely rewarding to help out with cases that could change lives for the better.

People say that you need to do pro bono work every once in a while to get out of the Stanford bubble. But if you do enough of it all the time, you can burst that bubble entirely and view the seeming calamities and stresses of 1L year with a much-needed dose of perspective."

Tyler Pool, Class of 2009

"When I heard about the opportunity to participate in a new Elder Law Pro Bono program, I was very excited by the chance to do more in-depth public interest work. The attorneys at Legal Aid of San Mateo County provide students with opportunities to conduct intake interviews, perform legal research, and complete any follow-up work that is required. The opportunity to complete these tasks with close supervision and feedback, as well as to learn about the challenges and rewards of working in direct services, has greatly complemented my first year of law school. Seeing the law in this context motivates me in the classroom and inspires me to continue seeking out opportunities for pro bono work."

Ben Ratner, Class of 2008

"Coming into law school I wanted to work on the cutting edge of environmental law -- the ongoing fight to stop global warming. I've been able to do that through my pro bono work at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). During the spring semester of my 1L year, I worked in the energy program at NRDC, focusing my efforts on the California bill that recently passed in the state legislature as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. My research focused on anticipating administrative and constitutional challenges before they were made and advising NRDC on how to prepare for potential lawsuits. I also enjoyed researching and writing a policy memo promoting a pending initiative that would implement an oil extraction fee and channel the money into alternative energy. These projects were personally rewarding and offered an early glimpse of the practical and strategic dimensions of lawyering for the public interest."

Alexis Rickher, Class of 2008

"Volunteering at the Volunteer Attorney Program and the Guardianship Pro Bono Program during my 1L year provided me with a constant reminder that law was a tool that could be used for the benefit of all people, not just the rich. Meeting with the people who came to us for help was often challenging and sometimes very sad, but it was always fulfilling because it reminded me of how lucky I was to have the opportunities I have and that I need to use these opportunities to help those who don't have them. There is not a legal solution to every client's problem, but you can at least listen and show them that others care and they will do their best to help."

Matthew Rubin, Class of 2008

"The most rewarding pro bono experience I've had at Stanford is teaching through Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY). As a former public school teacher, I deeply missed working with kids, and FLY gave me the opportunity to teach again and to incorporate what I was learning at law school into teaching. Law school culture is not only all-encompassing, but also abundantly comfortable. I think it's important for all students to do direct client advocacy work outside of the law school so as to never lose sight of who really needs our help."

Neesa Sethi, Class of 2008

"I volunteered for the Immigration Pro Bono Program at Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto and the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project last year. The two programs served as a reminder to me of why I came to law school. They also helped to bridge the gap between 1L doctrinal classes and the real world. The people who run these programs are incredibly dedicated and inspiring people with great perspective and advice. I highly recommend getting involved with direct legal services your first year of law school."

Laura Terlouw, Class of 2008

"I choose to participate in pro bono work because there is so much to learn from time spent outside the classroom walls, dealing with real problems facing real people. Being a great lawyer requires not only an understanding of substantive areas of the law and the tools of legal analysis, but also the ability to communicate effectively with clients and attorneys. Through Stanford’s pro bono programs, available to me from the very beginning of my law school career, I am able to develop my skills as an advocate while also providing assistance to individuals who are entitled to, but unable to otherwise afford, legal representation."

News & Press

Spring 2007

The rate of participation in the Pro Bono Program among the Class of 2009 remained at an impressive 65% for the spring semester, with over 20% of the class participating in two or more programs.

Over 50 students from the Class of 2007 were honored at the annual pro bono distinction reception for providing 50 or more pro bono hours of service during their three years at Stanford Law School. In addition, 23 faculty members joined this prestigious grouping due to their pro bono contributions during the past year. Faculty and student pro bono distinction recipients were joined by alumna Maya Harris 92, Executive Director of the ACLU of Northern California, who was the featured speaker.

The Levin Center recently announced the launch of a unique, in-house pro bono opportunity, supervised by Lisa Douglass (BA 93, MA 94), Director of the Social Security Disability Project. To read more about the program and the director, please see the Spring 2007 edition of "Create Change".

During Spring 2007, four new pro bono programs were introduced: the Elder Law Pro Bono Program, the Equality Pro Bono Pilot Project, a new immigration pro bono program with Bay Area Legal Aid and the Medical-Legal Collaborative Pro Bono Program. If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs, please visit the Pro Bono Opportunities webpage.