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Pro-Bono Programs

Angel Tree
Together with Women’s Law Student Association, the Christian Law Fellowship sponsors the annual Angel Tree program. Angel Tree is a holiday service project that provides presents – clothing and toys to the children of prisoners. Each year, members of the law school community “adopt” angels and provide gifts for 50 to 75 children, most of whom live in the Richmond area.

Build It
Build It is the University of Richmond's largest community engagement initiative and is designed to connect students, staff and faculty to each other and the residents of metropolitan Richmond through service, education, and other community involvement. Build It participants develop and implement collaborative projects that address pressing needs in at-risk neighborhoods in the greater Richmond area. Law students volunteer every year for this project.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Volunteers are essentially the "eyes and ears" for the court. These volunteers participate primarily in abuse/neglect cases, and responsibilities include interviewing the family and evaluating what is in the best interest of the child. Activities range from visiting the family’s home to participating in meetings to going to court for the various hearings. 

VBA Community Service Program
Last year, more than 100 students and faculty at Richmond Law committed to becoming community servants. Students pledged to perform 35 hours of community service; faculty pledged to perform 50 hours of pro bono publico and/or community service. This ongoing program is sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association’s Community Service Council.

ESL (English As A Second Language) Mentorship Program
Law students are paired with individual classrooms and students in the City of Richmond Public School System to provide mentorship and tutoring to ESL students. Coordinated by Richmond Law’s Hispanic Community Legal Liaison Association.

GED Program
This program gives Richmond law students the opportunity to help violent offenders and gang members achieve their GED. Each volunteer conducts 90-minute tutoring sessions once a week, and students are encouraged to develop their own lesson plans. The program has more than 70 registered offender participants.

Greater Richmond Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition (GREITCC)
Students provide tax preparation services to low-income households throughout the Greater Richmond area. Students take a tax training class, pass a certification test, and then volunteer at various “tax sites” throughout the community, serving primarily to help low-income households obtain the Earned Income Tax Credit. This program is coordinated by Richmond Law’s Hispanic Community Legal Liaison Association.

Legal Aid Justice Center’s Pro Bono Housing Program
Law students work with the Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) conducting intake interviews twice a week for clients with housing issues ranging from eviction notices to unlawful detainers.  

Native American Rights Fund
Richmond Law gives interested students the opportunity to provide pro bono assistance through an attorney at the Native American Rights Fund for the Pamunkey Indian Tribe.

Street Law
Street Law is a program dedicated to educating young Americans about their legal rights and responsibilities. Richmond’s program focuses on four substantive areas of law: criminal procedure, housing, family law and consumer rights.

Virginia Poverty Law Center
This non-profit organization advocates on behalf of low-income Virginians on poverty issues. Law students have the opportunity to work here during the semester as a clinical placement or may volunteer their time.

Youth Court
Youth Court is a school-based intervention program that provides student offenders an alternative to suspension and other school administrative sanctions. Students involved in disciplinary infractions present their cases to a jury of their peers for resolution. Law students preside over the proceedings to ensure they run in an efficient, orderly, and professional manner. Partners in this program include the Richmond City Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, Richmond City Police and the Virginia State Bar.

For other community service opportunities with the University of Richmond Center for Civic Engagement see engage.richmond.edu.

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