Pro Bono Program
At UW Law, we believe that members of the legal community have an obligation to help reduce barriers to access to justice. Providing high quality pro bono legal services to low-income clients and other under-represented groups is paramount.
UW Law’s Pro Bono Program encourages our law school community — students, faculty and staff — to provide high quality pro bono legal assistance. By providing training, support, resources, opportunities and leadership development to our students, the program ensures that future lawyers are prepared and ready to fulfill the promise of equal justice.
Pro Bono Honors Society
Beyond UW Law’s Public Service Graduation Requirement, law students are strongly encouraged to provide at least 70 total hours of law-related pro bono assistance by graduation (30 hours for LL.M., M.J. and Ph.D. students). Students who meet this standard receive special recognition at graduation, and awards are given each year to the student who reports the most cumulative pro bono hours for their class.
Why do Pro Bono?
- Increase equity and access to justice for underrepresented and marginalized communities.
- Receive in-depth substantive and skills-based trainings.
- Receive leadership development training and support.
- Gain client interviewing and counseling experience.
- Gain oral advocacy experience.
- Gain research and writing experience.
- Learn courtroom procedure and etiquette.
- Develop mentoring relationships.
- Network with devoted attorneys in public interest and private firms.
- Earn special recognition at graduation (for members of the Pro Bono Honors Society only).