Directory
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Southern Methodist University
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Laura G. Burstein, Esq.
Director, Office of Public Service
Faculty Supervisor, Government & Public Interest Externship Program
214.768.2567
[email protected]
Category Type
Public Service Graduation Requirement.
Description of Programs
SMU Dedman School of Law was the first law school in the state of Texas to implement a mandatory Public Service Graduation Requirement. Since 1996, all J.D. students at SMU Dedman School of Law have been required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of law-related public service to be eligible to graduate. These hours must be uncompensated and not for academic credit. The goal of the public service graduation requirement is to enhance the legal profession and the law school curriculum by exposing lawyers-to-be to the importance of and need for a life-long commitment to public service. The program allows students to gain legal experience, learn and develop practical lawyering skills in a hands-on setting, explore different areas of law, cultivate professional contacts in the legal community, and provides early exposure to the need for legal assistance in the community.
Location of Programs
Stand-Alone Program. See https://www.smu.edu/Law/Public-Service
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The Director of Public Service oversees the program, vets approved placements, tracks student completions, and also provides supervision of a number of pro bono projects in the community.
Funding
The program is funded by the law school's operating budget.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
The Faculty at SMU supports the need for public interest legal services and commits each member of the faculty to engage in public interest legal services consistent with the public service requirement for students. In addition to the student requirement, the faculty passed a resolution requiring faculty members to perform public service.
Awards/Recognition
Students performing 200 or more hours of law-related public service are recognized at graduation on the Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Alternative Winter and Spring Break Projects
None.
Law School Public Interest Programs
Contact Information
Laura G. Burstein, Esq.
Director, Office of Public Service
Faculty Supervisor, Government and Public Interest Externship Program
214.768.2567
[email protected]
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
None.
Public Interest Centers
None.
PI Career Support Center
The Office of Public Service works closely with students seeking careers in the public sector to identify and plan out internship and externship opportunities to build relevant skills and advises and assists students with Government Honors and post-grad fellowship applications.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
None.
Fellowships
None.
8/2/2023