Commitment to Service

Public service is a cornerstone of a Richmond Law education, with dozens of students donating hours of legal service to the local community each year.

This year, more than 20% of Richmond Law school graduates earned the Carrico Center Pro Bono Certificate, which recognizes students who complete at least 120 hours of service during their three years of law school. Collectively, the Class of 2023 Pro Bono Certificate recipients have performed more than 9,000 hours of service. Students receiving this designation were honored at a ceremony last week recognizing this commitment.

“The legal profession is one of service,” said Taylor Brewer, partner with the law firm Moran Reeves Conn, who served as keynote speaker for the event. “The spirit of pro bono starts in law school, but you have to take it with you.”

Brewer’s firm is one of twelve members that comprise Firms In Service, an association of the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation and representatives from the largest law offices in the Richmond area that focuses squarely on improving access to justice for our community.

“But despite all that you give, you get a multitude in return,” Brewer continued, going on to espouse the benefits of pro bono service: keeping skills sharp, learning new skills, humility, networking, and connectedness.

“These graduates began their law school careers in the midst of a global pandemic – a time during which our country faced economic and political crises, as well as a national reckoning of structural racism in our society,” explained Tara Casey, professor of law and director of the Carrico Center for Pro Bono & Public Service, in her opening remarks.

“Through it all, they remained steadfast in their work in the public sector, advancing the public interest. Therefore, we recognize their service not just to the law school, not just to the broader legal community, but to our society as a whole.”