Why We Serve
“[E]qual justice under law is not merely a caption on the facade of the Supreme Court building, it is perhaps the most inspiring ideal of our society. It is one of the ends for which our entire legal system exists ... it is fundamental that justice should be the same, in substance and availability, without regard to economic status.”
—JUSTICE LEWIS F. POWELL JR.
Established in 1999, the Law School’s Pro Bono Program seeks to cultivate a lifelong commitment to the provision of free legal services to those in need. The pro bono program provides students with the opportunity to use their developing legal skills to assist underrepresented individuals and communities. Those with the privilege of a legal education have a unique obligation to work to ensure access to justice for all.
"Lawyers have a license, a set of skills and privileges. With them comes a responsibility to make the legal system work for those who might otherwise be locked out of it."
- U.S. Supreme Court Consensus [1, 2]
The pro bono program provides students with projects to fit their academic schedules and meet their personal interests and professional goals. Opportunities to volunteer range from assisting victims of violence obtain protective orders, to working on civil rights litigation, to helping draft asylum petitions. Participation in the Pro Bono Program offers the chance to develop legal skills and experience under the guidance of real-world practitioners while serving the public interest.
“A lawyer should be mindful of deficiencies in the administration of justice and of the fact that the poor, and sometimes persons who are not poor, cannot afford adequate legal assistance.”
- American Bar Association, Model Rules of Professional Conduct: 2011
PRO BONO FACTS, 2025-26
15,558
pro bono hours logged
90
Class of 2026 graduates completed the Pro Bono Challenge
4,857
hours logged by 166 students at 75 organizations over Winter Break
THE PRO BONO EXPERIENCE
Carter Farnsworth
’26
“Pro bono work gave me the chance to stay connected with my clients and helped me stay grounded in the reasons I came to law school in the first place.”
Emily Liu
’26
“The Pro Bono Program not only gave me opportunities to do real, positive work I care deeply about, but also gave me my jumping-off point and boosted my professional experiences and understanding in the area to which I hope to dedicate my career.”
Bradley Noble
’26
"Pro bono has been a great way of learning what I may or may not be interested in for a future career."
Kylie Mignat
’25
“During my first year, I logged over 200 pro bono hours with seven organizations.”
