The Pro Bono Challenge
The Pro Bono Challenge encourages every law student to volunteer at least 25 hours annually. Students who complete their required hours will receive a certificate of recognition at the end of their first and second years. Graduating students who have logged at least 75 pro bono hours will be recognized in the commencement brochure and will receive a dean-signed certificate of completion. The certificate of completion will highlight the student’s total number of volunteer hours. The graduate(s) who best demonstrates an “extraordinary commitment to pro bono service” will be honored with the annual Pro Bono Award.In order to log hours for the Pro Bono Challenge, the work must be:
- law-related and necessitate the use of legal skills (examples of qualifying work include: client representation, legislative drafting, witness interviews, case investigation, legal policy and advocacy, or community legal education)
- supervised by a licensed attorney or Law School faculty member
- on behalf of a nonprofit organization, a legal services organization, a government agency (including both prosecutors and defenders) or a private law firm providing pro bono legal services
- not for academic credit or financial compensation
- completed while the student is enrolled at the Law School
Student volunteers must submit an online work log at the end of the semester in which the work is completed in order for their hours to be appropriately recorded for purposes of the Pro Bono Challenge. All hours for the year must be submitted by the last day of classes if the student wishes to receive a certificate of recognition.
The staff of the Pro Bono Program is always available to discuss possible projects, answer your questions or address your unique concerns. You can contact us at lawprobono@virginia.edu.
