Pro Bono / Public Interest Programs

Recognizing that attorneys are called to be of service to the community, the college of law has established the following
programs to encourage students in this high calling of our profession.

Pro Bono Voluntary Program – Second and Third year law students are encouraged to engage in pro bono legal
services to the community. Students who complete thirty (30) hours of pro bono work during the fall, spring or
summer semester will have a notation on their transcript that they did pro bono work while in law school. Opportunities
for pro bono service include, but are not limited to the following: VITA (Tax Assistance to the Elderly), the Ohio
Northern Legal Clinic, Legal Aid Programs, Street Law, Public Defender and Prosecutor Programs.

To sign up for the pro bono program, fill out the Pro Bono Registration Form. For programs listed on form, get the
signature of the supervising faculty member and hand in the form to the front office. For non-listed programs, fill out
the form and see the Associate Dean for approval.

On the last day of class for the semester, submit time sheets showing at least 30 hours of service, signed by the
supervisor at the placement site. Submit these to the Associate Dean’s secretary in the front office. The registrar will
then be directed to make a notation on the student’s transcript, for example, “Pro Bono Service: Legal Aid.” Such a
notation will be made for each semester in which 30 hours of pro bono service are completed.

Public Interest Summer Fellowship Stipends – Students with an interest in a career of public interest employment
may be awarded summer stipends for volunteer work during the summer.
Since 1994 over $50,000 in summer grants have been awarded. Students have worked in immigration services, legal
services to the poor, public defender offices, farmworker legal services, and as parent advocates in dependency and
neglect cases. Money for these stipends is raised at the law school’s annual Public Interest Auction, held in the spring of
each year, supplemented by matching donations from alumni and others.

Application information will be posted in the spring semester. Inquiries may be made to the Law Career Services Office.