When you take part in the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Pro Bono Program, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience while helping some of society’s most underrepresented populations.
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law established the Pro Bono Program in 1993 to introduce law students to the professional obligation of attorneys, the benefits of providing public service, and to recognize the needs of the under-represented in society. The ultimate goal of the program is to encourage students to discharge the lawyer's professional responsibility to render public interest service once they have graduated from law school.
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About the IU McKinney Pro Bono Program
Pro bono opportunities at McKinney are supported by the Office of Engagement and Student Success (ESS). ESS supports students in finding pro bono opportunities by working with students to get connected with local organizations/projects and monitoring hours tracking and project completion in McKinney Works. Participation is voluntary and time contributed is subject to the student’s availability. We encourage all students to reach the goal of 50 pro bono hours by the time they graduate.
As a Pro Bono Program participant, students volunteer on supervised projects for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and individual attorneys doing unpaid legal work.
The work must benefit the underserved, the underrepresented, or organizations with limited resources. Although you will not receive academic credit or pay of any kind, you will gain exposure to diverse areas of practice such as administrative law, criminal law, family law, and children's issues.
For more detailed information regarding our program, students should visit the “Pro Bono Program Information” folder in the Resource Library in McKinney Works. There you will our more detailed program guide, FAQ, and more!
Pro Bono Program eligibility requirements
The Pro Bono Program is open to all IU Robert H. McKinney law students at any time. Yes, even 1Ls can participate! Agencies provide students a chance to gain valuable practical experience working on real cases with real clients. A key aspect of the program is its flexibility. Some employers require only a few hours of work per week while others may require more hours dedicated to the project and vary in length.
To participate in the program, you must:
- Identify on your own or with OPD an organization or agency you would like to work with that benefits the underserved without pay or credit
- Contact the organization regarding your interest
- Identify a supervisor for your project at the organization
- Enter your project and track your pro bono hours in McKinney Works
Note: It is possible to track extra clinic and externship hours toward pro bono. For more information on this, please see our Pro Bono Program FAQ in McKinney Works.
Questions regarding the program should be directed to the IU McKinney Pro Bono Coordinator at probono@iu.edu.
Pro Bono Program student recognition
While you won’t receive academic credit for pro bono work, you will receive a Pro Bono Program notation on your transcript if you complete at least 50 hours of pro bono work during the course of your law school career.
You will also receive a certificate and take part in a recognition reception at the conclusion of your law school career that you contribute 50 or more hours to the program. Your name will also be listed in the graduation program as a participant in the Pro Bono Program.
Recognition levels are as follows:
- Bronze Level Participants: 50 - 99 hours (JD), 17 -33 hours (LLM)
- Silver Level Participants: 100 - 199 hours (JD), 34 - 66 hours (LLM)
- Gold Level Participants : 200+ hours (JD), 67+ hours (LLM)
Two annual awards recognize pro bono efforts:
- The Norman Lefstein Award of Excellence is given to graduating law students who have contributed 200+ hours of pro bono service throughout their law school career.
- The John Paul Berlon Pro Bono Award is given to a graduating student who has contributed a significant amount of time to the Pro Bono Program and to other community activities throughout his/her law school career.
For more information about the Pro Bono Program, contact us.
You will also receive a certificate...at the conclusion of your law school career when you have contributed 50 or more hours.
Non-Profits and Other Organizations Interested in Participating in the Pro Bono Program
If you are a non-profit organization or other entity working on behalf of the public interest, and would like to discuss becoming involved with the Pro Bono Program at IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law, please contact the IU McKinney Pro Bono Coordinator at probono@iu.edu. Law students have much to contribute with their dedication to service for the public good and IU McKinney looks forward to speaking with you!
