Welcome to the Career Services Pro Bono & Community Service Program page!

The Pro Bono & Community Service Program is designed to encourage and foster community-based volunteer and legal service projects. Through pro bono and community service experiences, students have an opportunity to act as volunteer legal interns with public service organizations. The Program allows students to gain valuable experience and establish important contacts, while also providing much needed assistance to those who could not otherwise afford legal help.

The Program is open to all law students. Pro bono opportunities require a range of experience levels, allowing even students just beginning their legal education to participate.

There are opportunities to match many different interests. In the past, students have interned with groups concerned with the environment, juvenile rights, domestic violence, criminal law, poverty law, family law, labor law, and Indian law. This list only touches the surface of the limitless possibilities available. While most students intern with local organizations, others work nationally, even during the academic year, by communicating by phone and email with out-of-state organizations.

2007-2008 Honors Awards Given

2008-04-10The 2007-2008 Pro Bono and Community Service awards have been presented. Congratulations to all the recipients.

Representative Bonamici to Speak at Pro Bono & Community Service Luncheon

State Representative Suzanne Bonamici will be addressing students at Lewis and Clark Law School's Pro Bono and Community Service Honors Luncheon to be held on April 10, 2008 at Noon in the Legal Research Center. Representative Bonamici worked as an attorney with the FTC and has a long history of commitment to her community and to community service.

The luncheon recognizes law students who have contributed thirty or more hours of volunteer time over the school year. During the 2006-2007 school year, more than 9,000 hours of service were given by students.

Thank You Orientation Volunteers

As part of new student orientation at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year, Lewis & Clark Law students participated in two community Service Events. Great thanks is due to the students for giving time and effort to their community.

Students worked with the Johnson Creek Watershed Council removing rubbish and invasive plants from the Johnson Creek area. Their work helped keep this urban river flowing freely and supporting its populations of native steelhead cutthroats, and salmon.

The second student project was sorting food at the Oregon Food Bank. Students re-packed food to assure that supplies make their way to families in need.

Thank you volunteers!

2007 Pro Bono & Community Service Honors Awards

A special thank you to all Lewis & Clark students who participated in the 2006-2007 Pro Bono & Community Service Honors Program. The annual Honors Award Luncheon was held on April 12, 2007. To see a list of recipients and photos from the event please click here.

LAW FIRM PRO BONO CHALLENGE

The Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, is an initiative of the Pro Bono Institute's Law Firm Pro Bono Project. The Pro Bono Institute has assisted major transnational firms in increasing their commitment to pro bono legal services since 1993.

Signatories to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge pledge to donate 3% - 5% of their billable hours to pro bono work.

The Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge can be a useful tool for students to determine the scope of a firm's pro bono commitment. More information on the Pro Bono Institute and the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge can be found at www.probonoinst.org.