Pro Bono and Public Service Program

Pro Bono and Public Service Program

Northwestern Pritzker Law has a long history of fostering a commitment to pro bono and public service in its students and graduates, with more volunteer opportunities available each year. Acknowledging that not all students will pursue public interest careers, we provide a variety of opportunities to serve and give back to underserved communities and social justice causes while students are in law school. 

The 50 Hour Public Service Pledge 

To further foster student engagement in public service, all students are encouraged to voluntarily meet a goal of 50 hours of pro bono or public service (30 hours for transfer students, 15 hours for LLM and MSL students)  by graduation.

Students who complete the 50 hour goal and submit the proper documentation are honored at the public service luncheon during graduation week and receive recognition at graduation. Students who perform 100+ hours are listed as Public Service Stars on the Public Interest Center section of the Law School website. Students who perform 200+ hours are also commemorated on a plaque in the law school atrium. For more information, please visit our FAQ page. 

Checkout our Pro Bono and Public Service Opportunities to get started!  

 

 

 

 

Pfander, James E.

James E. Pfander
Owen L. Coon Professor of Law

"Lawyers owe an ethical duty to represent all their clients zealously within the bounds of the law and legal craft can offer its own substantial rewards. But in my experience, zealous representation brought special joy when I worked on behalf of individuals and causes in which I believed and on which I felt I could make a difference. For many public interest lawyers, that joinder of craft and commitment sets the stage for a rich and rewarding legal career."

Contact

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the Pro Bono and Public Service Program, please email us at public-interest-center@law.northwestern.edu.

The Public Interest Center does not provide direct legal services. However, we can suggest a few resources in Chicago where you can obtain legal support:

Related Links

Student Time Log for Volunteer Hours | Public Interest Careers