Pro Bono Requirement Policies

Where
Type of Work
When
Hours
Procedures

Where

Where can students work?

Students must perform uncompensated, law-related public interest work on behalf of people who cannot afford (in whole or in part) to pay for legal services, or; for the government, or; at a non-profit organization as defined under IRS sections 501(c)(3) & (4) protecting rights of marginalized individuals/groups or working in the broader public interest, or; in a law firm working on a pro bono basis. The work may also be performed in a setting in which clinical credit is given, in conjunction with a faculty pro bono project, in student-initiated projects, or in many HLS volunteer student organizations.

May I work at more than one placement?

We suggest that you do your 40 hours at one placement so that you enjoy a more substantial learning experience. However, you may use your discretion and divide your time to work at more than one placement.

Can I set up my own pro bono project?

Yes. We encourage you to be entrepreneurial in designing pro bono work that best suits your particular interests. If you initiate your own project you should consult with the Pro Bono office for project approval and supervision arrangements.

Can I fulfill the requirement away from campus?

Yes. Many summer jobs and volunteer positions both nationally and internationally qualify for pro bono credit. Work can also be done during joint degree programs - e.g., Kennedy School or Business School - as well as during winter terms and semesters away on exchange programs, programs abroad or concurrent degree programs. All placements must be approved by the Pro Bono office before work begins. You may search the HLS Public Service Job Database for long-distance projects and organizations around the world.

Do summer public interest jobs qualify?

Jobs that qualify for HLS Summer Public Interest Funding will also meet the pro bono requirement, but credit is not automatic. Discuss the placement with your supervisor. We have collaborated with the Student Financial Services office to streamline the paperwork, and all forms are to be submitted to the SPIF office in Pound 324. Time Logs can be kept by the week rather than by the day. See Summer Funding website for forms and procedures.

Does law firm pro bono work count?

Working on pro bono cases throughout the paid summer associate job does not qualify for pro bono credit. If you work at a private firm over the summer, you may work an additional 40 hours after the summer associate program ends as long as the entire time is uncompensated and all of the work is on a pro bono case in the public interest or for a client unable to pay. Work with a firm may also be done during the school year.

Type of Work

What kind of work qualifies as pro bono?

Work must be law-related. Since this pro bono requirement is intended to teach law by experience, work should involve the application or interpretation of law, the formulation of legal policy, or the drafting of legislation or regulations. Work should have an advocacy or representational component. It should not be primarily clerical in nature. Eligible tasks include: assisting an attorney at trial, client and witness interviewing and investigation, drafting documents, preparing a case for trial, assisting pro se litigants in court, community legal education, and research and writing. All work must be supervised by a licensed attorney or a law professor.

Does work as a Research Assistant to a faculty member qualify?

It may if the work is being done by a faculty member on a pro bono basis, the work is directed toward future litigation, and the student is not compensated. The work may not be strictly academic (e.g., working on a faculty book).

Does a judicial clerkship qualify?

Yes. (However, judicial clerkships are not eligible for HLS Summer Public Interest Funding.)

Does work on a political campaign or 527 qualify?

No, unless the work is legal counsel to the campaign or as a lawyer in the general counsel's office.

Does volunteer work count towards the requirement such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters?

Work must be law-related. The work must involve the application or interpretation of law, the formulation of legal policy, or the drafting of legislation or regulations. Education in the community for both adults and children concerning the legal process and their rights may fulfill the requirement if there is an advocacy or representational aspect to the work (for example, writing pamphlets about Fair Housing laws or leading info sessions on pro se divorce).

Does foreign language translation qualify?

Foreign language interpretation on behalf of a client in an approved legal services setting (generally HLS clinics which provide legal services) will qualify. Written translation work does not qualify since it does not have an advocacy or representational component.

When

When can students begin working towards the requirement?

You may fulfill the pro bono requirement beginning in the spring semester of 1L year, after 1L exams have finished. Work can also be done in the summer between law school years, during winter term, or during vacations.

When must students complete the requirement?

You must complete the requirement and submit all paperwork before spring break of 3L year.

When will hours appear on the transcript?

The Pro Bono office will submit to the Registrar's Office the names of those students who have fulfilled the 40-hour requirement. The notation of fulfillment will appear on your transcript within several weeks of completion of all the required pro bono paperwork.

Hours

May students do more than 40 hours of pro bono work?

You are encouraged to do more than 40 hours! As long as the placement where you are conducing pro bono work is approved and all paperwork is completed on time, additional hours will be acknowledged by HLS. We ask that you let our office know of any additional pro bono work so we can recognize efforts above and beyond the requirement. Students who complete more than 1,000 hours of pro bono work are noted in the graduation program during commencement.  In fact, 93% of students do more than 40 hours!

Does training time count towards the requirement?

No.

Does transportation time count towards the requirement?

No.

Does observation time count towards the requirement?

No.

Procedures

Who has to fulfill the pro bono requirement?

All J.D. students (admitted in 2002 or after) must complete the 40-hour requirement.

How do students working in an HLS organization sign up?

If you are working with an HLS organization, an officer or supervisor should first meet with the Pro Bono office to discuss the project. Each student must submit all of the required pro bono forms. It is easiest if you and your supervisor sign the Project Terms and Conditions form at one time at a group meeting. If you will be volunteering for an extended period of time, you may hand in your time logs at the end of each semester or year and we will keep them on file.

What is the procedure for students doing clinical work?

Almost all clinicals automatically count towards the pro bono requirement, except for those where clinical work is for a for-profit entity or project. At the end of every semester clinical credits are automatically converted into pro bono hours at a rate of 60 hours per credit. If you are earning clinical credit you do NOT need to submit any pro bono forms. You will receive a notice confirming completion of the pro bono requirement after successful completion of the clinical (i.e. a passing grade has been achieved). If you have previously completed the pro bono requirement, the hours will be added to your student record.

What happens if students don’t meet the 40-hour requirement?

The pro bono requirement is a mandatory component of the academic program. If you do not meet the pro bono requirement by spring break of your 3L year, you will not be allowed to graduate and will not be certified for admission to the Bar.

What steps are there to fulfilling the requirement?

To receive pro bono credit and Public Service Initiative credit, you must complete: 1) Project Terms and Conditions form 2) Time Log 3) Supervisor Evaluation 4) Online evaluation. See our Forms page for all of the paperwork mentioned.