For Students
GETTING INVOLVED
Why should I participate in the Pro Bono Program?
All attorneys have a professional responsibility to deliver pro bono legal services to those who cannot afford legal representation. As a law student, you are encouraged to do the same. In addition, pro bono service offers several benefits for participating students. You will be able to deliver much-needed legal services to residents of our community, gain practical legal skills and hands-on experience, and earn hours toward recognition in the UW Law School Pro Bono Society.
Can 1Ls participate in the Pro Bono Program?
Yes. All students are encouraged to participate in pro bono service through the Pro Bono Program. Each placement on our Current Opportunities page will specify requirements for involvement, and several opportunities are open to law students from all class years.
How can I get involved?
- Meet with Program Coordinator, Jonathan Seok, to discuss pro bono opportunities, find an opportunity that interests you on our Current Opportunities page, or come up with your own idea for a pro bono partnership in the community.
- Select preferred organizations. Contact organization to inquire of its current need for assistance and arrange to meet with organization to discuss providing pro bono services.
- If your are initiating an individual pro bono project, fill and submit a Student Project Proposal to ensure that your project conforms to Pro Bono Program guidelines. Student Project Proposals will be reviewed for approval by Pro Bono Program staff. You may obtain a Student Project Proposal on our Forms page.
- Once pro bono work is arranged, obtain a Student Time Log on our Forms page.
- The student and the organization then arrange for training and discharge of the student’s pro bono work with the organization.
- Keep careful track of pro bono time (including up to 6 hours of training) on your Student Time Log.
- Upon completion of pro bono work with the organization, return your Student Time Log to Jonathan Seok. Approved hours will be recorded for admission into the Pro Bono Society.
Can I start my own pro bono project?
Yes. Students are encouraged to create their own pro bono opportunities based on existing partnerships in the community or potential community needs. All placements should be approved prior to participation. Read more on our website or contact the Pro Bono Program staff if you are interested in learning more.
Am I required to have any specific training for my pro bono project?
Yes. All pro bono projects must include sufficient training for student volunteers. Trainings must be conducted by an attorney, law faculty member, or other licensed professional with sufficient expertise in the subject area.
PRO BONO SOCIETY RECOGNITION
What is the Pro Bono Society?
The Pro Bono Society was formed in September 2011 to recognize the outstanding efforts of law students engaged in pro bono service during their tenure at UW Law School. Students who complete a minimum number of hours of pro bono services will be inducted into the Pro Bono Society and will graduate with pro bono distinction. Hours may be completed through Pro Bono Program opportunities or approved individual projects.
Where can I obtain forms for logging my pro bono hours?
All of our forms are available online and may be completed electronically or on paper. You may find them here.
When should I submit my Student Time Log?
Please
submit your Student Time Log as soon as possible upon completing your
pro bono project, no later than the last day of the Final Exam Period
for the semester in which you volunteered. If your project lasts longer
than one semester, please submit a separate Student Time Log for each
semester that you participate.
Can I log travel time to my pro bono placement?
No.
Can I log training time?
Each student may log up to six hours of training time toward their total number of pro bono hours.
Can pro bono hours completed while attending another law school count towards induction into the Pro Bono Society?
Yes, as long as they meet our other guidelines.
QUALIFYING PROGRAMS
Can I participate in pro bono opportunities outside of Dane County or outside of Wisconsin?
Yes. Students are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Program staff for assistance in finding placements in their home cities over the summer or during breaks. Commuter students may also be able to find placements near their home cities during the regular semester. Additionally, students may participate in pro bono spring, summer and winter break trips. Check the current opportunities page for further information.
Does work done over the summer qualify?
It depends. If your work is being appropriately supervised, and your work is serving eligible clients, you most likely can count your hours toward pro bono recognition. Please contact the Pro Bono Program staff to be certain. Please submit a Student Time Log for summer pro bono service by September 30th.
I am receiving a stipend from my supervising organization. Does this count as pro bono service?
No. Work for which a student is compensated, either with pay or academic credit, is not eligible for recognition through the Pro Bono Program.
I received a Summer Public Service Fellowship from the law school for my experience. Does this count as pro bono service?
No. Work for which a student is compensated, either with pay or academic credit, is not eligible for recognition through Pro Bono Program.
I am volunteering for a partisan political group or individual, or an individual political candidate. Does this count as pro bono service?
No. The Pro Bono Program will not recognize: work for any partisan group or individual; work for a non-partisan political activity that is associated with a candidate or contending faction in an election for public office; or work to be performed for an elected official, other than as part of the regular administration of federal, state or local government. Prior approval of your work from the Pro Bono Program is required.
I am involved with a student public service organization. Does this count as pro bono service?
It depends. Work with a student public service organization that is unsupervised and/or not law-related such as tutoring, fund-raising, donation collection, or mentoring does not qualify for Pro Bono Society recognition. Board membership on a student public service organization also does not qualify. Appropriately supervised law-related work performed in conjunction with a student organization will most likely qualify. Check with Pro Bono Program staff to be certain.
I am participating in a law school clinic, but I am not receiving academic credit. Does this count as pro bono service?
No. Any work performed in conjunction with an existing in-house clinical program will not qualify for recognition through the Pro Bono Program. In-house clinical programs include:
• Center for Patient Partnerships
• Legal Assistance to Institutionalized Persons (LAIP)
• Criminal Appeals Project
• Family Law Project
• Restorative Justice Project
• Innocence Project
• Reentry Project
• Consumer Law Clinic
• Domestic Violence Immigration Clinic (and the Restraining Order Clinic)
• Family Court Clinic (and the Restraining Order Clinic)
• Mediation Clinic
• Neighborhood Law Clinic
• Government and Legislative Law Clinic
• Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic
I am participating in a law school clinic, and I have exceeded the number of hours required to receive academic credit. Does these additional hours count as pro bono service?
No. Please see previous question.
I am participating in an internship/externship through the law school. Does this count as pro bono service?
No. Any work performed in conjunction with an existing in-house internship or externship will not qualify for recognition through the Pro Bono Program. In-house internships and externships include:
• Hayes Police-Prosecution Project
• Prosecution Project
• Public Defender Project
• Judicial Internship Program
• Labor Law Externship
• Department of Justice Clinical Externship Project
• Midwest Environmental Advocates Externship
• Disability Rights Wisconsin Externship
• Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence Externship
I am volunteering for a private attorney. Does this count as pro bono service?
It depends. If your supervising attorney is not being compensated and your work is serving eligible clients, you most likely can count your hours toward pro bono recognition. Please contact the Pro Bono Program staff to be certain.
The firm at which I am working requires interns to perform pro bono work. Does this count as pro bono service?
It depends. If your work is being appropriately supervised, and your work is serving eligible clients, you most likely can count your hours toward pro bono recognition. Please contact the Pro Bono Program staff to be certain.
I am completing a full-time unpaid summer internship. Does this count as pro bono service?
It depends. If your work is being appropriately supervised, and your work is serving eligible clients, you most likely can count your hours toward pro bono recognition. Please contact the Pro Bono Program staff to be certain.
I am volunteering for a law school faculty member. Does this count as pro bono service?
No. Any volunteer work performed for a law school faculty member will not qualify for recognition through the Pro Bono Program.
For Attorneys and Partner Organizations
How can I get involved?
- Contact Program Director, Ann Zimmerman, to discuss pro bono cases or project ideas.
- Obtain either a Pro Bono Program Attorney Registration Form (for individual attorneys) or Pro Bono Project Application for Host Organizations & Firms (for organizations and firms) from Ann Zimmerman or on our Forms page.
- Turn in the appropriate form to Ann Zimmerman for approval. Information in the submitted application is made available to UW law students once the project has been approved. Interested students may apply directly to the attorney, host organization or firm, or Pro Bono Program staff can assist with student placements.
- The student and the attorney or organization then arrange for training and discharge of the student’s pro bono work with the organization.
- Upon project completion, supervisors may be required to submit an evaluation of the student’s work and of the Pro Bono Program’s assistance.
What are the responsibilities of project supervisors when working with Pro Bono Program student volunteers?
Project supervisors must be willing to provide adequate training, supervision, and guidance for student volunteers. In addition, supervisors may be contacted periodically to inquire about student performance and project outcomes. We also encourage project supervisors to contact us if a student is demonstrating a lack of commitment to the project or performing at an exemplary level.
For Community Members
I am an individual seeking legal assistance. Can the Pro Bono Program provide a student volunteer to assist me?
No. The University of Wisconsin Law School’s Pro Bono Program does not provide legal services to members of the general public. Law students may not offer legal advice unless they are working under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney, and the Pro Bono Program does not have supervising attorneys on staff. To access legal assistance and learn more about available resources, please visit the State Bar of Wisconsin's Lawyer Referral and Information Service website.
