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University of Oklahoma College of Law

University of Oklahoma
College of Law
300 Timberdell Road
Norman, OK 73019
www.law.ou.edu

Law School Pro Bono Programs

Contact Information

Rebecca K. Hamrin
Associate Director
Pro Bono & Public Interest Programs
Career Development
University of Oklahoma College of Law
E-mail
P: (405) 325-1523

Category Type

Formal Voluntary Pro Bono Program Characterized by a Referral System with a Coordinator

Description of Programs

Every year at orientation, OU Law asks every student in the incoming 1L class to sign a voluntary Pro Bono and Public Service Pledge. Students can choose to pledge either 50 hours or 100 hours of pro bono and public service over the course of their law school career. To fulfill this pledge, OU Law provides students community-based pro bono opportunities, from assisting those seeking protection to citizens who require assistance filing personal tax returns. For purposes of the pledge, “pro bono and public service” is defined as all unpaid, law-related work (including but not limited to legal research and writing, interviewing, counseling, oral or written advocacy, or representation of individuals) supervised by a licensed attorney or other qualified supervisor which serves marginalized groups, non-profit organizations, or governmental entities.

Location of Programs

University of Oklahoma College of Law and sites throughout Oklahoma

Staffing/Management/Oversight

Rebecca K. Hamrin
Associate Director
Pro Bono & Public Interest Programs

Funding

The College of Law provides funding for the program. Public Interest Summer fellowships are funded through a combination of school funding and donations.

Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects

None listed

Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono

Faculty and professional staff are encouraged to do pro bono work and all faculty and professional staff who complete at least 25 hours of pro bono every academic year are recognized at an annual Pro Bono Awards Reception.

Awards/Recognition

Students and faculty who work more than 25 hours on pro bono projects in an academic year are recognized at an annual Pro Bono Awards Reception. Graduating students are recognized at Commencement.

Community Service

Students are encouraged to participate in community service. Students may complete up to 10 hours of general community service to count toward their 50-hour pro bono pledge and up to 25 hours of general community service to count toward their 100-hour pro bono pledge.

Law School Public Interest Programs

Contact Information

Rebecca K. Hamrin
Associate Director
Pro Bono & Public Interest Programs
Career Development
University of Oklahoma College of Law
E-mail
P: (405) 325-1523

Certificate/Curriculum Programs

None listed

Public Interest Centers

None listed

Public Interest Clinics

The University of Oklahoma Legal Clinic is a clinical program providing law students the opportunity to represent indigent clients in a broad range of cases in Cleveland and McClain Counties and in administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies. The Legal Clinic includes both a Civil Clinic and a Criminal Defense Clinic.

Externships/Internships

Students may enroll in 3 credit hours per semester for externships with local judges and law offices. Students are required to work 140 hours over the course of the semester. During the first term that a student is enrolled in an externship, she must concurrently enroll in a two-credit class, Issues in Professionalism, where they explore current issues in the professional as well as relationships with clients and supervisors.

Classes with a Public Service Component

None listed

Public Interest Journals

http://adams.law.ou.edu/satj/

PI Career Support Center

Rebecca K. Hamrin
Associate Director
Pro Bono & Public Interest Programs
Career Development

Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)

None listed

Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards

Law School Funded:

None listed

Graduate Student Funded:

None listed

Other Funding Sources:

The Gallogly Family Foundation Public Interest Fellowship Program was created to increase the number of people who receive much-needed legal services and to help new lawyers pursue a career in public interest law. The Program supports recent graduates of the University of Oklahoma College of Law with a one-year fellowship (which can be renewed for a second year, at the discretion of the fellow and the Foundation) at an domestic 501(c)(3) non-profit which provides civil legal services to the poor and/or those deprived of their civil or human rights.

Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships

Law School Funded:

None listed

Graduate Student Funded:

None listed

Other Funding Sources:

None listed

Summer Fellowships

Law School Funded:

OU Law provides over $80,000 in summer public interest fellowship support to students working unpaid in government and public interest internships.

Graduate Student Funded:

None listed

Other Funding Sources:

None listed

Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs

None listed

Student Public Interest Groups

The student run organization at OU Law is the Public Interest Law Student Association (PILSA). PILSA holds monthly meetings to educate students on public service careers.

August 7, 2018