Directory
Faulkner University Thomas Good Jones School of Law
Faulkner University
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Anita Kimbrell Hamlett
Associate Dean of Student Services
Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
5345 Atlanta Highway
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
P: (334) 386-7210
Fax: (334) 386-7908
E-mail
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Pro Bono Program Characterized by a Referral System with a Coordinator
Description of Programs
As part of a Christian university, the law school seeks not only to provide the legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to produce competent and ethical members of the legal community, but also to instill in our students an attitude of service. This commitment to serve those who otherwise could not afford such assistance complements the legal profession's rich tradition of service.
Students are encouraged to think about ways to provide pro bono services. The law school provides opportunities through its clinics for students to begin their career of service while using the practical skills obtained in their law school courses.
The Career Services Office spearheads the focus on public service by posting notices of pro bono opportunities and sponsoring speakers on various public interest topics. The law school subscribes to a database service that highlights pro bono and public interest opportunities.
Students who perform 50 hours of approved pro bono or community service while in law school receive a certificate recognizing such achievement, and a notation of service will be included on the student's transcript. In addition, graduates who complete 50 or more hours will be recognized at graduation. Finally, a Public Interest Service Award will be presented at graduation ceremonies to the graduating student who has most distinguished himself or herself in the area of public service.
Location of Programs
The Career Services Office administers the programs with assistance and input of faculty and staff.
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The Career Services Director and her staff manage the programs, with oversight and input by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Clinical Services Committee, the Clinical Director, and faculty.
Funding
Funding is provided in the law school's annual operating budget as well as special grants for clinics. The Jones' Public Interest Law Foundation works with the Clinical Director and CSO Director to develop means to raise money to provide financial assistance for students working in Public Interest or Public Service.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Student organizations have service projects during the school year. The Jones' Public Interest Law Foundation works with the Clinical Director and CSO Director to develop means to raise money to provide financial assistance for students working in Public Interest or Public Service.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
None listed
Awards/Recognition
Students who perform 50 hours of approved pro bono or community service while in law school receive a certificate recognizing such achievement, and a notation of service will be included on the student's transcript. In addition, graduates who complete 50 or more hours will be recognized at graduation. Finally, a Public Interest Service Award will be presented at graduation ceremonies to the graduating student who has most distinguished himself or herself in the area of public service.
Third year students with at least 50 hours of approved services may be nominated by staff or faculty for the Alabama State Bar Pro Bono award. In 2010, a student from our school received this award.
Community Service
Each year, the students, faculty, and staff may participate in at least one Public Service Day. These projects focus on service to the community and fellowship among the law school family. Additionally, each student organization may adopt a service project for the year. Upper class students participate in a teen court initiative in which they act as prosecutors or defense counsel for teenaged offenders. Students at all levels participate in a variety of pro bono volunteer partnership opportunities with community groups and legal service providers. Students may also create alternative projects as the law school seeks to expand its community service opportunities.
Law School Public Interest Programs
Contact Information
Anita Kimbrell Hamlett
Associate Dean of Student Services
Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
5345 Atlanta Highway
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
P: (334) 386-7210
Fax: (334) 386-7908
E-mail
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
None listed
Public Interest Centers
None listed
Public Interest Clinics
The law school sponsors a Mediation Clinic where students provide hands-on mediation services to litigants in the district court. The law school also offers a Family Violence Clinic where students interview, advise and represent clients in court when necessary and an Elder Law Clinic where students provide legal counsel to low-income, elderly clients with diverse legal needs. All student work is performed under the direction of a clinical professor.
Externships/Internships
The Law School's externship program affords students the opportunity to work and learn in governmental, judicial, public service and public interest law offices. Externs may locate their own placement or select from a wide variety of governmental agencies, judges at every level in the state, prosecutors, public defenders or public interest firms like Legal Services Alabama, Alabama Appleseed and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Classes with a Public Service Component
None listed
Public Interest Journals
None listed
PI Career Support Center
The Career Services Office provides specialized counseling and programming for students considering public interest careers. The Office also maintains an active list of public interest career opportunities and posts public interest job openings. The Office also provides students with access to multiple online and paper resources to assist public interest job seekers.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
None listed
Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards
Law School Funded:
None listed
Graduate Student Funded:
None listed
Other Funding Sources:
None listed
Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships
Law School Funded:
None listed
Graduate Student Funded:
None listed
Other Funding Sources:
None listed
Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
None listed
Graduate Student Funded:
None listed
Other Funding Sources:
Student organizations have service projects during the school year. The Jones' Public Interest Law Foundation works with the Clinical Director and CSO Director to develop means to raise money to provide financial assistance for students working in Public Interest or Public Service.
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
During New Student Orientation, the Director of Career Services introduces students to the Public Interest Program. In addition, the Career Services Office encourages public interest/Pro Bono employers to visit on campus and inform students of their work. In 2010-2011 school year, the school intends to host a Public Interest Informational Job Fair. Students are encouraged to participate in the volunteer partnerships the school has formed with local advocacy, policy, and community groups and to incorporate those experiences into class discussions and assignments.
Student Public Interest Groups
Student organizations are encouraged to adopt a public service goal for the year. The Jones Public Interest Law Foundation helps raise funds to support students' deducation to public interest/public service.
The law school is a member of Equal Justice Works and subscribes to PSLAWnet.
August 7, 2018