Who May Participate

Any law student currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Law School may participate in the Pro Bono Program. Students who document their hours and meet other requirements will become eligible for induction into the Pro Bono Society.

Student Obligations 

Students are responsible for logging any pro bono hours they wish to have counted for recognition from the Pro Bono Program. 

• Volunteer activity must be:
  • Law-related: You must perform pro bono work that is related to the law, and either (a) for community members of limited financial means, or (2) that otherwise advances the public interest or serves the public.
  • Uncompensated: You must work in a volunteer capacity and may not receive any compensation, including stipends.
  • No Academic Credit: Your work cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of a clinic or a directed study project, or to otherwise obtain academic credit.
  • Supervision/Training: You must be trained and supervised by an attorney or other qualified supervisor.
• Canvas Training Course
  • Students are required to complete the Pro Bono Program's Canvas training course BEFORE any pro bono work will be credited towards Pro Bono Society hours.
• Logging Time
  • Only hours properly logged in 12twenty will count towards Pro Bono Society membership.
  • If your volunteer activity is not listed on the Current Opportunities webpage, you must fill out this form: External Pro Bono Project Proposal, and wait for the pro bono coordinator's response that you may move forward with counting your hours for that experience.
  • Click here to view a PDF with detailed instructions on how to log hours in 12twenty. 

Students who commit to a pro bono project must complete the assigned project unless they are released with the express permission of both the Pro Bono Program Director and the Project Supervisor.  Any student who, after accepting an assignment from a pro bono host organization, does not complete the assignment may be suspended from future participation in the Pro Bono Program.

Student-Created Projects

• If a UW Law student finds their own volunteer opportunity, they can seek approval to have their hours count towards Pro Bono Society membership.
• Students must fill out this form: External Pro Bono Project Proposal, and wait for the pro bono coordinator's response that they may move forward with counting theirhours for that experience.
• Your proposed project must meet the following criteria: 
  • Law-related: You must perform pro bono work that is related to the law, and either (a) for community members of limited financial means, or (2) that otherwise advances the public interest or serves the public.
  • Uncompensated: You must work in a volunteer capacity and may not receive any compensation, including stipends.
  • No Academic Credit: Your work cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of a clinic or a directed study project, or to otherwise obtain academic credit.
  • Supervision/Training: You must be trained and supervised by an attorney or other qualified supervisor.