Directory
University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law
University of Florida
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Joanna Auchetti, Esq.
Director of Career and Professional Development
Category Type
Graduation Requirement Program
Description of Programs
The mission of the UF Law Pro Bono Program is to help students develop an awareness of their future ethical and professional responsibilities to provide service to their community. Participation in the program gives students the opportunity to perform valuable community service while learning about the legal needs of the underserved and developing the legal skills necessary to help meet those needs. UF Law students must complete 40 hours of law-related pro bono service as a condition of graduation. Students who have not completed the required hours prior to the start of their final semester of law school must meet with an advisor. A student may include a maximum of 10% of time spent in training and certification in the total hours. Transfer students may seek pro bono credit for work completed at their prior law school. Reporting of Service Hours: In order to have pro bono hours counted, students must record pro bono hours on a pro bono log, signed by an attorney supervisor and report their pro bono hours within the Symplicity system. Instructions for submitting your pro bono hours can be found in Symplicity, under the Resources tab of the Document Library. See www.law.ufl.edu/areas-of-study/experiential-learning/pro-bono-program-2.
Location of Programs
The program consists of stand-alone pro bono programs with some offerings located within the Office of Career and Professional Development and through the clinical or externship program. See https://www.law.ufl.edu/areas-of-study/experiential-learning/pro-bono-program-2.
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The Public Interest Coordinator position is currently a full-time position in the Center for Career Services and one of the responsibilities of this position is running the Pro Bono Project along with other duties.
Funding
The Office of Career and Professional Development, student organizations, Clinics, and independent programs support pro bono initiatives through their annual budgets.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
None.
Awards/Recognition
Each year, UF Law recognizes students who commit extraordinary pro bono service at award levels of 75 and 150 hours. These students are recognized at the college’s annual award event and commencement ceremony. Students who complete the highest amount of community service and Pro Bono are recognized at the college’s annual award event and commencement ceremony.
Alternative Winter or Spring Break Projects
UF Law students have the opportunity to participate in an Alternative Spring Break program where they can work with a variety of public interest organizations in different cities.
Law School Public Interest Programs
Contact Information
Public Interest Coordinator
Office of Career and Professional Development
[email protected]
(352) 273-0860
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
None.
Public Interest Centers
Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations – http://www.law.ufl.edu/centers/csrrr/
Center on Children and Famlies – https://www.law.ufl.edu/areas-of-study/centers/center-on-children-families
Race and Crime Center for Justice - https://www.law.ufl.edu/areas-of-study/centers/race-and-crime-center-for-justice
UF Law also has several Public Interest Clinics: Virgil Hawkins Civil Clinics: Gator Team Child Juvenile Law Clinic Environmental and Community Development Clinic Immigration Clinic Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Criminal Clinics: Public Defender Field Placement State Attorney Field Placement Wrongful Convictions Field Placement
PI Career Support Center
The Office of Career and Professional Development provides counseling and resources to students exploring and/or committed to public interest careers. This office oversees the Pro Bono graduation requirement and assists with the administration of the Externship Program. The Office of Career and Professional Development also holds several Public Interest Information sessions that all students are welcome to attend.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
None.
Fellowships
None.
12/3/2024