Directory
University of San Francisco School of Law
University of San Francisco School of Law
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Stephanie Carlos
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
University of San Francisco School of Law
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
[email protected]
T 415.422.6304
Category Type
Independent Student Pro Bono Group Projects with no school-wide program
Description of Programs
The law school's commitment to pro bono is central to its mission of Educating Minds and Hearts to Change the World. The law school believes the commitment to the delivery of legal services to or on behalf of the poor or disadvantaged or to non-profits whose mission is to improve the law and legal system or to increase access to justice for all, is an integral and meaningful part of students' legal education and enhances the development of their professional identity. This commitment is reflected in substantial and meaningful law school programs, both for-credit and not-for-credit and law and non-law-related.
Students are asked to commit to deliver a minimum of 75 hours of pro bono services over the course of their three years at USF Law by signing the Pro Bono Pledge. Students who perform 25 hours (first year of study), 50 hours (second year of study), or 75+ hours (third or final year of study) of unpaid, supervised legal work are eligible for a pro bono publico award, which is presented by the OneJustice's Law Student Pro Bono Project to qualifying students each year at our annual end-of-year Public Interest Celebration.
Location of Programs
Student Affairs
Staffing/Management/Oversight
Funding
The Pro Bono Program is funded by USF School of Law.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
USF Law faculty and staff engage in a wide variety of community service and pro bono activities. Details are featured on the law school's website under "Public Service and Social Justice".
Awards/Recognition
Students are asked to commit to deliver a minimum of 75 hours of pro bono services over the course of their three years at USF Law by signing the Pro Bono Pledge. Students who perform 25 hours (first year of study), 50 hours (second year of study), or 75+ hours (third or final year of study) of unpaid, supervised legal work are eligible for a pro bono publico award.
At our annual end-of-year Public Interest Celebration, we award pro bono publico awards to all eligible students. We also recognize those students who have earned a Public Interest Law Certificate (which requires a combination consisting of coursework, a writing requirement, practicum "pro bono" hours and community service).
Alternative Winter or Spring Break Projects
Law School Public Interest Programs
Contact Information
Stephanie Carlos
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
University of San Francisco School of Law
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
[email protected]
T 415.422.6304
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Public Interest Law Certificate Program
A commitment to public service is one of the essential elements of the law school's mission. True to our mission, we support students and graduates in their pursuit of careers in public service. Students may earn a Public Interest Law Certificate through a combination of course work, practical experience, and community service.
To receive the Public Interest Law Certificate, students must complete all of the certificate requirements and all of the requirements for the JD degree.
To earn a Public Interest Law Certificate, a student must: (1) complete at least 15 units of course work selected from the list of approved Public Interest Law Certificate courses, (2) complete a minimum of 150 hours of supervised legal work in a public interest or qualifying government organization, (3) complete a minimum of 50 hours of non-legal volunteer service on behalf of on-campus or community service organizations (work with student organizations and participation in activities through the Law In Motion Service Program may be applied to satisfy this requirement), and (4) complete a substantial research paper analyzing an issue relevant to public interest law. The paper must demonstrate the ability to identify, describe, and analyze the subject matter, and, if possible, propose a resolution.
Public Interest Centers
Center for Law and Global Justice
PI Career Support Center
Career counseling and listings through the Office of Career Planning, the OneJustice and the Director of Externships.
Public Interest/Public Sector (PI/PS) Legal Career Options Day. USF Law is part of a consortium of nine Northern California law schools and the OneJustice that host this annual event. PI/PS Day provides law students an opportunity to meet and interview with public interest and public sector legal organizations. The event also gives organizations exposure to a large group of people dedicated to public service, a chance to speak with and formally interview a large, diverse group of law students, and a forum for interacting with other public service organizations and government agencies.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
USF School of Law's Keta Taylor Colby Loan Repayment Assistance Program assists USF School of Law graduates with their educational loan repayment to enable their pursuit of law careers in the public interest.
Fellowships