General Questions:
What are the requirements for students participating in Suffolk
Law School 's Voluntary Pro Bono Program?
Is the Pro Bono Program mandatory for Suffolk Law School students?
How do I find pro bono opportunities?
May I find my own pro bono projects?
What happens if I pledge to participate in the Pro Bono Program
but then decide not to do it?
Where do I submit my Pro Bono Program paperwork?
I am a 3L/4L and the Program did not exist during my first year(s)
of enrollment. Do I have to work the minimum pledge of 50 hours in order to participate
in the Program or to meet recognition levels?
Can 1L's participate in the Pro Bono Program?
Qualifying Work:
Can hours worked as a clinical or internship-for-credit count toward
my recognition for pro bono work?
The firm at which I'm working requires its interns to perform pro
bono work. Can I count those hours toward my recognition?
I volunteer for a nonprofit/government agency, but I do not do
legal work. Can those hours count toward my recognition?
I intern (or work) at a nonprofit or legal services organization,
but I receive a stipend. Can I count those hours toward recognition?
I volunteer for no pay or credit for a judge. Can these hours count
toward my recognition?
I assist with pro bono work for a private attorney. Can those
hours count toward recognition?
What are the requirements for students participating
in Suffolk Law School 's Voluntary Pro Bono Program?
Participating students pledge to complete prior to graduation a minimum of 50 hours
of unpaid work of meaningful, law-related service to: nonprofit organizations; government
agencies; or private attorneys serving the legal needs of individuals with limited
access to legal representation, groups or causes that are under-represented in the
legal system, or the public good.
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Is the Pro Bono Program mandatory for Suffolk Law
School students?
No.
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How do I find pro bono opportunities?
Suffolk Law School has partnerships with a number of organizations through which
students may find pro bono work. The list of current and past opportunities may
be found on the Opportunities page.
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May I find my own pro bono projects? Yes.
Students are encouraged to seek their own pro bono projects based upon their specific
interests. To count toward Pro Bono Program recognition, however, students must submit a Pro Bono Placement Approval Form to ProBono@suffolk.edu.
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What happens if I pledge to participate in the
Pro Bono Program but then decide not to do it?
While we strongly encourage students to carefully consider their decision to participate
and to remain committed, there are no repercussions for not being able to fulfill
the full amount of the pledge. However, if a student commits to a pro bono placement
and then does not fulfill the obligations of his or her commitment, s/he will be
prevented from further participation in the Pro Bono Program. It is critical that
Suffolk Law School maintains its reputation in the community.
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Where do I turn in my Pro Bono Program paperwork?
The Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service, Suite 110.
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I am a 3L/4L and the Program did not exist during
my first year(s) of enrollment. Do I have to work the minimum pledge of
50 hours in order to participate in the Program or to meet recognition levels?
While we ask all students to sign a minimum pledge of 50 hours, we understand that
upper-class students have less time available to complete their pro bono work. As
such, we have set lower goals for upper-class recognition. See pages
8-9 of the Student
Pro Bono Handbook .
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Can 1L's participate in the Pro Bono Program?
Yes. However, we encourage all first year students to be especially cautious about
taking on additional responsibilities. The Pro Bono Program Director will work with
interested first year law students to find placements that require a limited time
commitment and no advanced research and writing skills. Please note that our Pro
Bono Partners Program is limited to upper-level students.
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Can hours worked as a clinical or internship-for-credit
count toward my recognition for pro bono work?
No. Work for pay or credit may not count toward pro bono accrual. Work performed beyond the
requirements for an internship or course, and for which the student does not receive
extra course credit, may count as pro bono work as long as the organization qualifies
under our definition of pro bono work and the student receives prior approval from
the Pro Bono Program Director.
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The firm at which I'm working requires its interns
to perform pro bono work. Can I count those hours toward my recognition?
No, because the time spent on pro bono work during paid internships or jobs is included
in a student's pay.
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I volunteer for a nonprofit/government agency, but
I do not do legal work. Can those hours count toward my recognition?
No. Only law-related pro bono work may count toward recognition.
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I intern (or work) at a nonprofit or legal services
organization, but I receive a stipend. Can I count those hours toward recognition?
No. Only unpaid work will qualify as pro bono work.
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I volunteer for no pay or credit for a judge. Can
these hours count toward recognition?
Yes, with prior approval from the Pro Bono Program Director.
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I assist with pro bono work for a private attorney.
Can those hours count toward recognition?
Yes, assuming you did not receive pay or credit for your work with the attorney,
and the work/placement fulfills all other program requirements.
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