Skip to main content

Pro Bono Service

Our Commitment to Catholic, Marianist Identity & Community Engagement

Pro Bono EventOur core values, "learn, lead and serve," embodies the Marianist mission in that it seeks to educate for life and develop true agents of change. Our goal is to educate lawyers who will prevent and solve problems not only for their clients, but for their communities.

Pro Bono Commitment to Community Award

Students are invited to sign the UDSL Commitment to Community pledge through which you promise to complete at least 50 hours of pro bono work and community service during your time at the law school. Up to 10 hours of this total may come in the form of general community service work for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Hospice, etc.

The School of Law honors students who contributed at least 50 hours of community service and pro bono work with the Pro Bono Commitment to Community Award. Award winners receive a notation on their transcripts and are entitled to wear a special cord at graduation.

Pro Bono Pledge

Log Pro Bono Hours

FAQs

Q: What is the Pro Bono program?

A: The Pro Bono program is a decentralized public service program that serves as UDSL’s way of introducing law students to the importance of providing not-for-profit legal services to the local community.

Q: What do I get for participating in the Pro Bono program?

A: Students who complete the required 50 hours will receive the Pro Bono Commitment to Community Award, which will be noted on your transcript. You will also get to wear a special purple cord at graduation.

Q: What does the program entail?

A: Interested students (3-year, 2-year, and hybrid) need to complete a minimum of 50 hours of community service, at least 40 hours of which must be of a legal nature. The remaining 10 hours can come from non-legal

Q: What counts towards my legal hours?

A: The work that is being done must be in the public service sector; if a student is volunteering with a private firm, the legal work that the firm is doing must be pro bono as well. Any work of a legal nature must be unpaid (or not for class credit).

Q: Does my summer internship count?

A: Typical law school answer: it depends! As long as you weren’t paid for the work, or it wasn’t going toward your required internship hours, it will usually count. To receive credit for work done during your for-credit externship, you will not receive credit until after you have met the minimum number of externship hours. A non-inclusive list of summer internships that count for legal pro bono hours include: prosecutor/public defender, judicial clerkships, legal aid societies, and local government.

Q: How can I find opportunities to volunteer?

A: There are a number of places you can look to find opportunities! Here at UDSL we have the Volunteer Student Law Project (VSLP) student organization that helps organize pro bono events. The Dayton Bar Association also has events that law students can participate in, so getting a student membership will put you on their email list for any future opportunities. The Dayton Municipal Court Help Center also uses student volunteers, so that’s another easy way to collect legal hours. And UDSL has a consistent history of working with the Dayton Bar Association, St Vincent DePaul, Advocates for Basic Legal Equity (ABLE), and Legal Aid, so students are encouraged to reach out and see what needs these organizations might need help with.

Q: Are there any on campus pro bono opportunities?

A: Students can participate in the pro bono Pardon Project. Students can participate in pro bono activities with refugees as part of a collaboration with UDSL and the Human Rights Center.

Q: What if my question isn’t answered here?

A: No worries! Just send it to law_probono@udayton.edu and someone will be happy to assist.

Kloppenberg Public Interest Stipend

The Kloppenberg Public Interest Award was created through the joint efforts of the faculty, staff, and students of the University of Dayton School of Law. Service to community is at the heart of our Marianist Charism, and we wish to recognize, celebrate, and assist those students seeking to make legal services available to the impoverished and marginalized members of society. Our students should be proud of their many contributions to the public good.

Lisa A. Kloppenberg Informational Letter & Application Form

CONTACT

School of Law

Keller Hall
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 2760
937-229-3555
Email