LTC Pro Bono RequirementStudents earning the Law & Technology Certificate (LTC) must complete 25 legal tech-related pro bono hours by April 1 of their 3L or 4LE year as one of the requirements for earning the LTC.
Work qualifying for the pro bono service requirement must be legal and supervised by a licensed attorney and must be performed on behalf of (1) people who cannot afford, in whole or in part, to pay for legal services; (2) the government; (3) a non-profit organization as defined under IRS sections 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4); (4) a law firm working on a pro bono basis; or (5) a foreign equivalent of any of the above. The work must be related to legal tech, involve the application or interpretation of law, the formulation of legal policy, the drafting of legislation or regulations and/or work done in anticipation of litigation. The work should not be clerical, must be uncompensated, and cannot be for course credit.
Under this Law & Technology Certificate pro bono requirement, the pro bono work must include a significant tech-related component.
While LTC students must complete 25 legal tech-related pro bono hours, LTC students (and all NCCU Law students) are encouraged to render at least fifty (50) hours of pro bono service during their law student career. Students who do so will receive special recognition at the student award ceremony.
LTC Pro Bono OpportunitiesStudents must log their hours using the Pro Bono Log Hours Form and indicate whether they are tech pro bono hours.
Engaging in pro bono work is important for law students for several reasons:
Access to justice: Pro bono work helps address the gap in access to legal services for low-income individuals and marginalized communities who may not otherwise be able to afford an attorney. By providing free legal assistance, law students can help promote justice and equality in the legal system.
Practical experience: Pro bono work allows law students to gain hands-on experience in various areas of law, which is invaluable in developing their legal skills and understanding. This practical experience can supplement their classroom learning, helping them become better-prepared lawyers upon graduation.
Networking: Participating in pro bono work can help law students build connections with practicing attorneys, legal aid organizations, and other professionals in the field. These relationships can lead to mentorship opportunities, job leads, and a better understanding of the legal profession.
Professional responsibility: The legal profession emphasizes the importance of pro bono work as part of a lawyer's ethical duty to serve the public. Engaging in pro bono work as a law student helps instill this value early on and demonstrates a commitment to upholding the profession's ideals.
Personal growth: Pro bono work can be a rewarding and enriching experience, as it allows law students to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities. This experience can foster empathy, compassion, and a sense of social responsibility, traits that are valuable for any legal professional.
Skill development: Pro bono work exposes law students to a variety of legal issues, client interactions, and problem-solving situations. This exposure can help students develop essential lawyering skills such as client counseling, negotiation, research, writing, and advocacy.
Career exploration: Through pro bono work, law students can explore different areas of law and potentially discover new interests or passions. This exploration can help students make more informed decisions about their future legal careers and specializations.
Resume building: Law firms and employers often look favorably upon candidates with pro bono experience. Demonstrating a commitment to public service can set applicants apart in a competitive job market and contribute to their overall professional development.
The ABA Standard 303(b)(2) states that "[a] law school shall provide substantial opportunities to students for student participation in pro bono legal services, including law-related public service activities."
The ABA, in its interpretation of Standard 303, provides the following:
Interpretation 303-3
Rule 6.1 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct encourages lawyers to provide pro bono legal services primarily to persons of limited means or to organizations that serve such persons. In addition, lawyers are encouraged to provide pro bono law-related public service. In meeting the requirement of Standard 303(b)(2), law schools are encouraged to promote opportunities for law student pro bono service that incorporate the priorities established in Model Rule 6.1. In addition, law schools are encouraged to promote opportunities for law students to provide over their law school career at least 50 hours of pro bono service that complies with Standard 303(b)(2). Pro bono and public service opportunities need not be structured to accomplish any of the outcomes required by Standard 302. Standard 303(b)(2) does not preclude the inclusion of credit-granting activities within a law school’s overall program of law-related pro bono opportunities so long as law-related non-credit bearing initiatives are also part of that program.
Interpretation 303-4
Law-related public service activities include (i) helping groups or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights; (ii) helping charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, and educational organizations not able to afford legal representation; (iii) participating in activities providing information about justice, the law or the legal system to those who might not otherwise have such information; and (iv) engaging in activities to enhance the capacity of the law and legal institutions to do justice.