Directory
Wayne State University Law School
Wayne State University Law School
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Amanda Groth
Assistant Director of Career and Professional [email protected]
(313) 577-3949
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Pro Bono Program Characterized by a Referral System with a Coordinator
Description of Programs
The Wayne Law Student Voluntary Pro Bono Program encourages enrolled students to provide a minimum of fifty (50) hours of pro legal services to under-served individuals, communities and causes by working with eligible legal services providers, public sector entities, licensed attorneys, and members of the Wayne Law Faculty engaged in pro bono work. Participating students may select from published pro bono opportunities or propose other eligible work. Students who successfully render and properly document a minimum of fifty (50) pro bono hours during their law school careers are eligible for the Warrior Pro Bono Award and formal recognition upon their commencement.
Location of Programs
The pro bono program is located in the Career Services office.
Staffing/Management/Oversight
A Director of the Pro Bono Program manages and oversees the administration of the program. The Director also serves as a career advisor.
Funding
Funding for administration of the pro bono program is derived from the law school budget.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
The Wayne State University Law School faculty and administrative staff provide pro bono legal assistance and community service to a variety of organizations and causes. Services include direct legal services to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, drafting amicus briefs in impact litigation, and lending their expertise as board members for nonprofit entities, community development organizations, professional legal organizations, and educational institution affiliates
Awards/Recognition
Students who satisfy the pro bono pledge by completing a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono receive a certificate.
Alternative Winter or Spring Break Opportunities
N/a
Law School Public Interest Programs
Contact Information
Kathryn Smolinksi
Director
[email protected]
(313) 577-9911
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Wayne Law’s robust public interest curriculum offerings allow students to immerse themselves in the Detroit community. While there is not a certificate program, the curriculum contains a variety of options to prepare students for roles in public interest law advocating on behalf of marginalized or underserved individuals, communities, and causes. Located in the heart of Detroit, Wayne Law students have opportunities to select courses, seminars, clinics, and externships focused on the local, regional, national, or international populations and issues that matter most to them.
Public Interest Centers
N/a
PI Career Support Center
The Wayne Law Office of Career and Professional Development has a career advisor dedicated to public interest careers. The office hosts an annual Public Service Fair for students featuring local and national employers. It also sponsors or supports a wide variety of external career fairs including the nation’s largest public interest job fair, the annual Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair and the Midwest Public Interest Conference and Career Fair. Public interest and public sector employers also routinely take advantage of on-campus recruiting events and other recruitment tools including a dedicated jobs board.
The Office of Career and Professional Development is also the administrator of several public interest student fellowships including the Peggy Browning Fund Fellowships as well as Rural Summer Legal Corps and other fellowship opportunities offered by Equal Justice Works (EJW). The office also provides guidance and support for students pursuing postgraduate fellowships such as EJW and Skadden Fellowships.
Wayne Law is a member of Equal Justice Works and the PSJD, the Public Service Jobs Directory, providing Wayne Law students direct access to job opportunities as well as valuable information and resources regarding public interest careers.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
N/a
Fellowships
https://law.wayne.edu/careers/students/public-interest/fellowships
November 2, 2023