Since 1991, pro bono service has been a key component of the leadership development of Duke law students. As one of the earliest formal law school programs in the country, the Pro Bono Project takes learning beyond the classroom, connecting students with attorneys working in non-profit and governmental organizations as well as private pro bono practice to explore and contribute to public service, sharpen their legal and professional skills, and build relationships important to their future careers.
Students also are educated about the gaps in the legal delivery system and are given the chance to become involved in work that benefits the community, such as providing legal services to low-income individuals, researching important policy issues, participating in the legislative or judicial system, or teaching constitutional law to high school students.
The Pro Bono Pledge
At Duke Law School, participation in the Pro Bono Project is voluntary but all students are encouraged to participate. Students are invited to sign the Pro Bono Pledge with which they commit to contribute a minimum of 50 hours of law-related community service, including pro bono or clinic field work, during their time as students.
Placements
The Pro Bono Project offers more than 100 placements, varying in location, substantive law area, job function, and time requirement, to fit students' interests and needs. Students have worked as court-appointed Guardian ad Litems, in various divisions of the NC Attorney General's Office, for judges, and with non-profit advocacy groups. Descriptions of placements, both new and established, can be found on the Pro Bono Placement Master List, available online and in the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono (Room 4050). The Placement List is only available to Duke Law students. If you do not know the login and password, please contact the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono.
Students may choose from more than 30 areas of law, including criminal prosecution and defense, environmental issues, community economic development, consumer protection, migrant law, civil rights and liberties, and international law. New topics and projects are added each year at an organization or student's request and new opportunities are announced throughout the year as community attorneys contact the Office with urgent needs.
The Pro Bono Project also provides numerous job functions for students to choose from. These include legal research and writing, client interviewing, case investigation, trial preparation, policy analysis, or certified court practice. Projects such as Street Law and Guardian ad Litem give students the chance to teach constitutional law in local high schools and serve as the court-appointed representatives for allegedly abused or neglected children in Durham.
The Associate Dean of Public Interest and Pro Bono, Carol Spruill, is available to advise students on placement opportunities that suit their individual backgrounds and aspirations. Before making an appointment with Dean Spruill, please be sure to read the Pro Bono Placement Master List and complete the relevant portion of the Student Information Sheet for Pro Bono & Employment Advice.
If you know that the placement you want is in a single issue area - such as environmental law, domestic violence law, or asylum law - please see the student pro bono coordinator in charge of that area (they are named on the Master List of Placements).
Student Pro Bono Groups
The Pro Bono Project also offers students the opportunity to design and implement new Pro Bono groups, allowing students to serve as student leaders or as placement coordinators in various subject areas. Students have created numerous pro bono activities, including The Refugee Asylum Support Project, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy Project (DVSAAP), and the Innocence Project, each demonstrating the values of leadership and commitment to community that are furthered through the Pro Bono Project.
Learn more about the various student groups.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is Pro Bono?
Pro Bono is free professional services provided by lawyers and students who will be entering the profession.
It is a subset of "Public Interest," which refers to serving the public good whether paid or unpaid, for course credit or not, related to your career or just good citizenship. Also, public interest includes engaging in programs and activities to explore one's commitment to the public good.
Q. Do I Have to Do Pro Bono?
No, but if you do you will be glad you did. At Duke Law, the pro bono program is voluntary. We have a very wide range of choices so that at least one placement should appeal to almost anyone. If no placement inspires an individual student, the Office will work with that student to find a suitable placement and potentially support the student in creating a new group or project. Over the years, placements have been available in over 30 different subject matters, such as children's law, civil liberties, civil rights, judicial clerkships, community economic development, consumer law, criminal defense, criminal prosecution, death penalty, domestic violence, education, elder law, employment, environment, farm worker, gay/lesbian rights, health, housing, immigration, international human rights, legal services, mental health, public benefits, regulatory law, and tax.
Q. What are the Benefits of Doing Pro Bono?
Almost everyone enjoys the thrill of altruism, but you will enjoy many other benefits as well: you can explore a future career or have an experience alternative to your likely future career; you can hone skills that play to your strengths or work on skills that are weak; you can use language proficiencies that you may have, you can learn about gaps in the justice system; you can add an interesting line on your resume; and you can get out of the Law School building and into the community.
Q. Should Students Do Pro Bono in Their First Year of Law School?
The lawyer's answer: Maybe. During the first semester, students are busy settling into a new environment and adjusting to new study and work schedules, so it may be difficult to fit pro bono work into an already packed schedule. However, many first-year students have had very meaningful pro bono experiences, and some say it was their best "grounding" as they went through their challenging first year of law study. More than half of the first-year class participates in the pro bono project.
Each semester brings its challenges to finding the time to do pro bono. Many find the first semester of second year a difficult time to do pro bono because of the demands of job interviewing. And as second-year students, many move into leadership positions with student groups and participate in journals and moot court. Some students do their later community service through clinics and externships rather than pro bono. Therefore, for many students the first year provides the best opportunity to "hit the ground running" and involve themselves in the pro bono and public interest community.
However, it can also be difficult to fit a pro bono experience in to a student's busy first year. Especially during the first semester students are busy getting settled and do not know yet how much time they need to study in your new environment. Sometimes first-year students pick a placement and then back out of it, which leaves supervisors unhappy and clients in the lurch. Also, students do not yet have a lot of legal skills to apply, and we don't want students to only do community service in their first year when they don't know as much and then never repeat it when they have more to offer.
The bottom line is, whatever the pros and cons, over the years, first-year students really like to do pro bono and participate in the largest numbers! We highly recommend that you seek out a pro bono option that fits your time schedule, experience, and interests; there are many placements and student-run pro bono projects that require less experience and less time from first-year students. So we are not pressuring you to jump right in, but, if you do, we welcome you, and only ask that you carefully select what you commit to do so that you do not shortchange either yourself or those you serve in the community.
Q. How Do I Decide Which Project to Do?
You will have lots of opportunities to find out more about available placements before you select the one that "speaks to you." You can read about the placements on the Master List of Pro Bono Placements, attend the Kick-Off and Sign-Up at the beginning of each school year to hear student leaders describe their projects, go to lunch programs sponsored by pro bono groups, or talk with the Dean, Director and Coordinator in the Office of Public Interest & Pro Bono. More on all these options below.
Q. How Do I Find Out What Pro Bono Placements Are Available?
Descriptions of placements, both new and established, are made available in several ways. The Pro Bono Placement Master List is the longer version of the list that is compiled mainly at the beginning of each school year and updated periodically throughout the year.
Since the list includes so many offerings, it is very important that you take the time to review it and rank your top choices, as it would take too long for someone to recite all the opportunities and the details of them to you.
The Master List is also available in hard copy in the Public Interest and Pro Bono Suite (Room 4050). Please stop by and browse.
Q. What if I Can't Find a Placement that Feels "Right" for Me or Suits my Particular Interest?
No problem! The Public Interest & Pro Bono Office will be happy to work with you on a one-on-one basis to explore your personal interests. In fact, even if you aren't sure of your interests we can help you find a placement that might more fully develop your future path. Using our extensive network of community contacts, we will suggest and help you get in touch with various potential placements and supervisors in the area.
Q. When Can I Sign Up?
A. New Student Pro Bono Sign-Up is held each year on Thursday during the second week of classes. Returning 2Ls and 3Ls can contact the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono to select a placement at any time. New students can sign-up beginning at the Kick-Off/Sign-Up. At that session, students and faculty/administrators working with the Pro Bono Project will give a brief description of all the placements available to first-year and LL.M. students. The presentations will be followed by an opportunity to sign-up for a placement and complete the paperwork for them. (Some placements will need a separate appointment with the public interest dean. S/he will bring appointment sign-up sheets to the event.) Some of the student pro bono group leaders also schedule separate sessions for a more thorough program about their group pro bono projects. Second- and third-year students are encouraged to attend the event to learn more and/or give advice to new students.
Q. Do New Placements Come Up During the School Year?
Yes. Our community contacts send us new placements as urgent needs arise.
Q. How Do I Find Out About These New Opportunities?
It is imperative that Duke Law students join the public interest listserv. It gives you information about newly received placement opportunities as well as public interest events, leads on jobs and fellowships, etc.
To join the listserv, go to: https://mailman.law.duke.edu/mailman/listinfo/publicinterest and fill in the requested information for "Subscribing to Public Interest."
We also put announcements in the Duke Law Daily and on announcement boards outside Suite 4050.
Q. What If I Don't Know Which Pro Bono Placement to Pick?
Counseling on placement selection is available.
Throughout the year, students may meet with the public interest dean if they need help deciding on which direction to go with their pro bono placement selection. Because of the heavy demand at the beginning of each fall, we will place as many people as possible through the special sign-up session and through student leaders in charge of pro bono substantive areas. However, the dean is eager to meet with those who would like individual advice or seek a placement in an area not listed on the Pro Bono Placement Master List.
If you wish to make an appointment with the dean, send him/her an email with several blocks of time you have free, and s/he will send you an appointment time. Before the meeting, please be sure that you first read the Pro Bono Placement Master List and have filled out relevant portions of the Student Information Sheet for Pro Bono & Employment Advice. Bring your filled out information sheet with you to the interview.
Q. What are the Student-led Pro Bono Groups?
The Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono works closely with all pro bono groups, and the leaders of the pro bono groups sit on the Public Interest and Pro Bono Board. Some groups have been around for years and others are new, small, or fleeting. In all cases, the Office serves as a resource to the groups and documents the hours and contributions of participants. Students can sign-up for the student-led groups at the Sign-Up/Kick-Off event, at separate programs held by the groups, or by coming to the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono.
Q. What if I Want an Individual Placement with a Lawyer in the Community?
We have many opportunities available. In most cases, you should make an appointment with Dean Spruill.
Many students work directly, one-on-one with attorneys. Projects are listed on the Pro Bono Placement Master List and include opportunities such as working with assistant District Attorneys; assistant Attorneys General (consumer protection); assistant County Attorneys; the NC Justice Center; the Immigration Law Project; the ACLU; the National Health Law Project; the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Attorneys' Institute for Equal Rights; the Financial Protection Law Center; NC PIRG (consumer and environmental law); Farmworkers Legal Services; Carolina Legal Assistance for clients with mental disabilities; the NC AFL-CIO; the NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Legal Services attorneys including specialists in domestic violence, employment, housing and environmental law; and private attorneys doing employment discrimination, immigration and criminal defense work.
Q. What if I Have My Own Ideas About a Pro Bono Placement?
Great! We are seeking Student Pro Bono Entrepreneurs!
Do you know of an organization that would be a good pro bono placement? Have you worked for an attorney doing public interest or pro bono work who might be a good supervisor? If so, please contact the public interest dean about making the organization or attorney a part of the Pro Bono Project.
You may wish to read the section for Supervisors on the website to see the type of information we need on the placements. The Project Request Form (available in Suite 4050 and on the website) is especially useful. You can take this with you when talking to directors and attorneys at community organizations.
Would you like to develop a group pro bono project? Duke Law School has enjoyed many successful student group pro bono efforts. Please feel free to contact the public interest dean if would like his/her assistance in designing a new group project.
Q. What If I Want to Do a Pro Bono Placement with an Out-of-State Organization?
In this day of email and cell phones, we are able to have successful placements where students are supervised by out-of-state attorneys.
Q. What Do I Do Once I Have Accepted a Placement?
There's just a little bit of paperwork involved.
1) You will be asked to sign an Acceptance of Placement form with the Pro Bono Project indicating your choice of placement and agreeing to the terms of acceptance set forth.
Note: If it is a group placement, you may be able to skip steps 2 and 3.
2) You should contact your supervisor immediately (preferably within 3 days), arrange to meet, and jointly fill out the Student/Supervisor Placement Agreement.
3) Return the Student/Supervisor Placement Agreement to the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono immediately in order to confirm your placement.
4) Notify the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono immediately if a problem develops with your placement. We will assume the placement is on-track and prevent other students from accepting the same placement unless we hear from you otherwise.
5) Pick up a Time Log to begin keeping track of your hours during the semester.
End of Semester Wrap-Up
1) At the end of the project or the semester, whichever is sooner, please turn your completed time log in to the Office of Public Interest & Pro Bono.
2) Please fill out an Evaluation of your placement so that the Pro Bono Project and other students will be able to assess this placement for future selection.
3) For Fall Semester placements, inform the Office of Public Interest & Pro Bono whether you will be keeping the same semester in the spring.
4) For Spring Semester placements, you may be asked for an estimate of placement hours early so that we can prepare for the annual Recognition Event.
Please turn in your hours! We need hours to demonstrate Duke Law's commitment to public service. This encourages others to sign up and demonstrates to prospective law students that public service is alive and well at Duke Law School! The pro bono hours of all participating law schools are published on Equal Justice Works' E-Guide.
Special Pleas:
- For those who are paper-work averse, please at least give us your total hours.
- We need a separate total for each of your placements and for each semester worked.
- We need a total number, not a range. (Databases do not like ranges.)
- If you forgot to keep hours, please give your best estimate. Your best estimate is more accurate than no hours reported at all.
- If you are in clinics or externships and do more than the amount required, please report the extra hours to us as pro bono hours. (However, all your hours - even the required ones - count toward the Pro Bono Pledge.)
We would also love to hear from you during the semester with tidbits and stories about how your placements are going, what you are doing (no confidential client names please), and what it means to you. We use these stories to promote the pro bono spirit among the student body. So keep those emails coming!
Q. What is The Pro Bono Pledge?
As future lawyers, all Duke Law students are asked to begin their pro bono obligation while in law school by pledging at least 50 hours of law-related service to the community. All unpaid law-related community service contributed by students during the academic year, not only pro bono time but clinic or externship time as well, is counted, so 50 hours is a very easy target to meet over three years. (The ABA asks that lawyers contribute a minimum of 50 pro bono hours each year.) Over half of the graduating Class of 2007 signed and met the pledge as did 125 members of the Class of 2008!
Even if you are not yet ready to accept a pro bono placement, but think you will in the future, we encourage you to sign the Pro Bono Pledge. We will keep the form on file for you in the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono (suite 4050). You can sign the Pledge in the Public Interest and Pro Bono Office at any time and update it throughout your time at Duke Law School. Those who meet the pledge receive a certificate from the NC Bar Association in the year of their graduation.
Q. I Signed Up for PILF. Is that the Same Thing as Pro Bono?
No, but we're glad you signed up for PILF! If you want a fantastic pro bono or public interest job next summer that is a smart thing to do.
The Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono works closely with PILF and its leaders are on the Public Interest and Pro Bono Board. While PILF members support all public interest efforts, as an organization PILF focuses mainly on raising money for summer public interest fellowships and bar grants.
PILF will require you to work a certain number of hours (20 at this posting) to be eligible for next summer's fellowships. Note that your pro bono hours do not count towards PILF, and your PILF hours do not count towards the Pro Bono Pledge.