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2. Translating an Access to Justice Organization's Need for Help into a Pro Bono Project for Law Students
- Goal Setting [LS, PBC]
- Project outcomes for clients or organization
- Student learning
- Other
- Assessing the Resources Available for the Project [LS, PBS]
- Host Organization Resources (e.g. staff attorneys and other personnel, space, computers)
- Students (e.g. experience, substantive knowledge , schedule)
- Other
- What Qualifies as Pro Bono in Various Regimes [all]
- New York State 50 Hour Rule
- California Rules
- Individual School Rules
- Identifying Incentives for Student Participation [all]
- Deciding What Form the Project Should Take [LS, PBC]
- New or Existing Initiative?
- Advocacy Methodologies To Be Used
- Student Role(s)
- Length of Student Service
- Project Specific v. General Internship
- Duration of Project or Internship
- Location of Student Work (in host office or elsewhere?)
- Inclusion of Law School Partners
- Law School Clinic or Externship
- Student-Directed Project [all]
- Law School Directed Project
- Inclusion of Law Firm Partners
- Determining Whether to Use A Formal Memorandum of Understanding
3. Providing Orientation and Training
- Orientation [all]
- Providing Adequately Defined and Clear Project Definition and Goals
- Context In Which Project Is Being Done
- Relevant Poverty Law Issues
- Cultural Competency
- Professional Responsibility and Ethics
- Confidentiality
- Practicing Law Without A License
- Other
- Professionalism and Workplace Expectations
- Training re Specific Law and Skills Relevant to Project [all]
- Factors Relevant to Determination of Specificity of Initial Training [LS, PBC]
- Resources for Assistance with Orientation and Training [LS, PBC]
- Law School
- Student Leaders
- Consortium with Other Providers
- Technology
4. Assuring Competent Performance by and Meaningful Experience for Students
- Tailoring Supervision to the Project to Provide Timely and Adequate Supervision
- Frequency of Meetings for Feedback and Questions
- In Person or Via Technology?
- Who Provides Supervision?
- Keeping Lines of Communication Open
- Identifying and Communicating about Opportunities for Learning
- Evaluation of Student
- Feedback from Student During and After Project
- Tracking of Hours
5. Project Evaluation - Lessons for the Future
- Impact and Accomplishment of Project Goals [LS, PBC]
- Provision of Meaningful Experience and Learning for Student [all]
- Suggested Improvements in Project Design and Execution for Future Student Pro Bono Projects [LS, PBC]
- Sources of Information [all]
- Clients
- Attorneys and Other Supervisors
- Students
- Law School Faculty or Administrators
6. Providing a Nondiscriminatory, Accessible, and Safe Workplace
- Workplace Free of Discrimination Based on Color, Race, Religion, Marital Status, Sex, National Origin, Age, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity
- Workplace Access for Persons with Disabilities
- Workplace Free of Illegal or Unwanted Harassment
7. Relationships with Law School Faculty and Administrators
- Identifying Contact People and Allies at Law Schools
- Roles Faculty or Administrators Can Play
8. Special Issues of Pro Bono Scholars Program Field Components
Appendix
Student Pro Bono and the Regulatory State
- Pro Bono Guidelines
- ABA Pro Bono Standards for Law Schools
- New York State Bar 50-Hour Pro Bono Requirement, Rule 520.16
- California Rules
- Other Relevant Statutes
- Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 12101, et seq.
- Sexual Harassment Laws, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000 et. seq.
- [Other Federal or NYS]
Sample Documents
- Workplace Confidentiality Agreement
- Memorandum of Understanding
- Hours Tracking Form
- Supervisor’s Report
- Student Exit Questionnaire
- Form Affidavit for New York State Bar
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