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 mandatory Public Service Graduation Requirement, law students are strongly encouraged to provide additional voluntary pro bono service during their time at UW Law. Students meeting the higher pro bono service standards outlined in our Pro Bono Honors Society guidelines receive special recognition for their work at graduation and/or upon meeting benchmarks throughout their career at UW Law.
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).