Latin: For the public good.
Pro bono legal work is so important that the American Bar Associations’ Rules of Professional Conduct strongly encourages all lawyers to participate in it. Oregon Law has a long history of dedication to public service, and you will have many opportunities to participate in pro bono work throughout your time here.
Oregon Law students are recognized by the Association of American Law Schools for their pro bono work on the Service Project for Asylum Seekers in Karnes, Texas.
UO Law students provide volunteer hours to a myriad of organizations that serve individuals who otherwise would not have access to justice. Students can arrange their own pro bono or volunteer for one of the ongoing opportunities with local nonprofits.
Below are a few of the organizations students provided pro bono legal assistance to in 2018-19:
- Access the Law
- Al Otro Lado
- Civil Liberties Defense Center
- Eugene Community Court
- Grupo Latino de Acción Directa of Lane County
- Legal Aid Services of Oregon
- Oregon Law Center
- Lane County Legal Aid and Advocacy Center
- NW Workers Justice Project
Every year, students who complete 40 hours of pro bono during law school are recognized at graduation with Pro Bono Honors. Awards are also given for exceptional service in:
- The Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award: given to the member of each class who records the most pro bono in the academic year.
- Oregon New Lawyers Division Pro Bono Challenge Award: recognizes the student who does the most pro bono work during the prior school year.
- The Nicole Richardson Outstanding Public Service Award: Nicole Richardson was a passionate student dedicated to underserved populations, especially indigent criminal defendants. In honor of her commitment to justice, her family established this annual award given to one or two 3Ls.