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Loyola Law School, Los Angeles

Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
919 South Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
www.lls.edu

Law School Pro Bono Programs

Contact Information

Sande L. Buhai
Executive Director and Clinical Professor
E-mail
P: (213) 736-1156

Category Type

Public Service Graduation Requirement Program

Description of Programs

The Public Interest Law Department oversees the pro bono program, which was instituted by the faculty in October 1992, along with other programs. Students are provided with an "Approved Pro Bono Organization List" and are responsible for contacting those agencies in regards to securing a placement and completing the 40-hour pro bono graduation requirement. This list is not exclusive; students wishing to satisfy the pro bono requirement with other verifiable public interest organizations can do so with the approval of the Director. The Assistant to the Director is the Public Interest Law Program Coordinator responsible for tracking and clearing students who have satisfied the mandatory requirement before graduation. Students are asked to evaluate their experiences at their pro bono placement and offer any suggestions or comments about the evaluation portion of the Student Log/Supervisory Report form, which they must submit to document/verify the completion of their forty hours. Students must complete a minimum of forty unpaid hours of legal services in an approved public interest agency or complete at least two units in approved public interest externship programs, which provide services to traditionally underrepresented groups.

Location of Programs

The Pro Bono Program is located in the Public Interest Law Department

Staffing/Management/Oversight

The Director is a full-time clinical professor and is assisted by a full-time Department Administrator (Public Interest Law Coordinator).

Funding

There is no budget funding beyond staff salaries for the program.

Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono

Pro Bono by faculty is encouraged, recognized and counts towards tenure and salary as service to the school and community.

Awards/Recognition

Students are presented with a certificate of appreciation/completion documenting the total pro bono/public service hours performed.

The Dean of the Law School distributes service awards at graduation to students who have demonstrated strong commitments to community service programs.

Awards given at annual luncheon or reception

Alternative Winter or Spring Break Projects

 

Law School Public Interest Programs

Contact Information

Sande L. Buhai
Executive Director and Clinical Professor
E-mail
P: (213) 736-1156

Certificate/Curriculum Programs

There is a public interest curriculum

Public Interest Centers

The Public Interest Law Department

Cancer Legal Resource Center

Center for Conflict Resolution

Center for Juvenile Law and Policy

Center for Restorative Justice

Disability Rights Legal Center

PI Career Support Center

Students receive extensive counseling in regards to applying for public interest post-graduate fellowships and Equal Justice Works grants. Students also have full access to materials in the Public Interest Law Department such as PIES (Public Interest Employment Service) listings that are received monthly. The Career Services office also provides numerous workshops on interviewing techniques as well as resume preparation.

Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)

Since July 1989, Loyola Law School has provided financial assistance to graduating students who accept lower-paying public interest employment, but who need help in repaying education loans. The Public Interest Loan Assistance Program (PILAP) is available to students who are employed by a qualified public interest program at an annual salary of less than $54,000. The maximum award an applicant can receive is $12,000 annually.

Fellowships

Loyola Post-Graduate Fellowships in Public Interest Law -- www.lls.edu (click on Public Interest Law Department/Post-Graduate Fellowship Opportunities).

Public Service Corps Program, which began Winter 2002, was designed to give recent Loyola Law School graduates the opportunity to gain legal experience while awaiting Bar results.

Summer Public Interest Employment Program (SPIEP)

Loyola Law School's federal work-study program supports 70 students (60 in public interest, 10 in government positions) working at local non-profits and government agencies. Currently, the maximum amount a student can earn on a summer work-study contract is $3,500.

PILF - Public Interest Law Foundation Grant The student run Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) offers supplemental funding for SPIEP applicants ranging from $1,000-$2,000. Fellows will be expected to work at least 300 hours at their approved public interest organization.

9/7/2023