The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is sponsoring a video contest for law students to increase participation in pro bono work and raise awareness of pro bono efforts, programs, and providers. Deadline Extended: Videos are now due October 8, 2021.
Video Length and Format
Videos should be at least 30 seconds long and no more than 2 minutes long. Videos may be live, animated, or motion graphics. All video entries must be submitted in digital file format (MP4 preferred).
Videos must be submitted via Dropbox. Entrants should keep at least one copy of their video. The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is not responsible for any videos that are lost, damaged, or fail to upload properly. Entrants may only submit original works.
Suggested Topics
Videos should highlight the need for and importance of pro bono work. Submissions may focus on a specific project, such as a monthly clinic, or an organization such as a volunteer lawyer's program or the law school's pro bono program. Videos can be from the volunteer attorney's, client's, or program's perspective. Some suggested partners for the video are law student organizations, pro bono programs, legal services providers, or law school faculty and staff.
Complete Entry Information and Submit Releases
In addition to uploading video entries to Dropbox, entrants must complete the Entrant Information Form. Please be sure that the name of the video on the entry form matches the name of the video submitted to Dropbox.
Entrants must also sign and submit a release with the video. Releases must be signed by any person featured in the video as well. Entrants must submit the releases with the video in Dropbox.
Contest Prize
The contest winner will receive one law student registration (approximate value $250, does not include lodging or travel expenses) to the 2022 Equal Justice Conference in Minneapolis, MN, May 10-14, 2022. The winner will be announced via the Center for Pro Bono's Facebook and Twitter pages and the Standing Committee and Center for Pro Bono's websites. The winning video will be featured on the websites and social media pages.
Winners will be announced during the week of the 2021 National Celebration of Pro Bono, October 24-30, 2021.
Contest Deadline
All submissions must be received by October 8, 2021 at 11:59pm. Submissions must include:
- Video (Mp4 Format Preferred)-submitted to Dropbox
- Contest Registration Form
Selection of Winning Video
The entries will be judged by a committee comprised of members of the Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
- Visual Appeal
- Overall impression of the narrative
- Audio and visual quality
- Level of motivation in the video
- Compelling idea
- Attention to detail
The Standing Committee Staff will notify the winner by email of their selection no later than October 25, 2021.
Contact the Center for Pro Bono staff for questions and assistance.