Pro Bono Recognition and Certification Program
Purpose of the Recognition and Certification Program
To encourage and recognize law students who devote significant time to perform pro bono service and public interest work during their law school careers.
Pro Bono Service and Public Interest Work
Pro bono service and public interest work include work with nonprofit organizations, the courts, governmental agencies, or public law firms with public interest or pro bono practices. Examples of such jobs include, but are not limited to, working with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, Legal Aid, Victim/Witness Assistance Programs, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Immigration Counseling Services, Department for the Aging, etc. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so if you have any questions as to whether the work you do qualifies, please ask Tara Casey, Director of the Harry L. Carrico Center for Pro Bono Service.
Awards and Requirements
Each student who meets the following qualifications will receive a Pro Bono Certification Award and Recognition in the Graduation Program of their graduating year:
- 120 or more cumulative hours of qualifying pro bono service or public interest work over the course of three (3) years of law school.
- Seventy five percent (75%) of the work performed must be law-related as opposed to non law-related community volunteer service.
- There must be no compensation for the work completed, including stipends provided by the University or any outside organizational funding.
- No academic credit may be received for the public work completed.
- Qualifying work hours may be obtained over the summer.
PLEASE INCLUDE EACH PRO BONO PROJECT OR PUBLIC INTEREST WORK PLACEMENT FOR WHICH YOU HAVE WORKED. SUBMIT THE COMPLETED FORM ON OR BEFORE APRIL 5TH, 2024.