It is very important that students report their pro bono hours. Not only does it allow them to qualify for graduation with Pro Bono Distinction, it is also critically important for the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law to have an accurate account of our law school's pro bono activity. This information is often shared with the president of Arizona State University, the Board of Trustees and the legislature of the State of Arizona. By reporting your hours, you are helping the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law achieve future success. There are many studies of law student involvement with public interest efforts. These efforts can only be accurately reviewed if students accurately report their participation.
Students should report all of their hours of pro bono service on-line at ASU Law Interactive. It is important to record your information in a timely manner because reports are made on an annual basis.
If you are unclear whether your work is considered pro bono service, please refer to the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law's definition of pro bono below.
Pro Bono Distinction
Students who graduate with 50 hours or more of pro bono service will graduate with Pro Bono Distinction and will be recognized at graduation.
These are the three levels of recognition:
- Pro Bono Distinction is given to students who report between 50 and 99 hours of pro bono service;
- High Pro Bono Distinction is given to students who report between 100 and 149 hours of pro bono service;
- Highest Pro Bono Distinction is given to students who report 150 or more hours of pro bono service.
Each level comes with its own seal to be placed on the law school diploma. Those students with the highest number of hours are also eligible for graduation service awards.
In addition, the Pro Bono Board hosts an annual Pro Bono Reception before graduation. This is not just for graduates. Most pro bono groups choose to recognize a distinguishing student volunteer, as well as there are awards for outstanding faculty/staff advisor, student group, and student leaders. In addition, the top volunteers of each class are recognized.
What counts as pro bono service?
Law students should keep in mind that pro bono service and community service are not the same thing. We do encourage you to volunteer as you feel appropriate with community service efforts, but only professional, law-related services will count toward your pro bono record. ASU Law defines pro bono service as:
Providing legal services, supervised by an attorney, free of charge and without earning academic credit:
a. to the indigent or to organizations that have, as a principal purpose, promoting the interests of the indigent;
b. for the purpose of securing or protecting civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights;
c. for the purpose of improving the legal profession or the judicial system;
d. to charitable organizations as defined by Section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code so long as the work is in furtherance of the charitable organization’s purpose; or
e. to judges, courts, the legislature, public officers, and governmental agencies including federal, state, tribal, and local agencies.
Pro bono service does not include:
- Participating in law school activities such as moot court, journal, student organizations, ambassador duties, organizing and attending social events, fundraising and publicity activities, participating in writing competitions, or attending or participating in symposia or conferences;
- A fellowship, paid internship, clinic, or externship with a qualified organization, unless the student provides legal services exceeding the requirements of the fellowship, paid internship, clinic, or externship (the amount of service hours counted toward pro bono for a fellowship will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the cost of living in the city of the fellowship/paid internship);
- Community service (e.g. serving food at a soup kitchen, cleaning kennels at an animal shelter, etc.)
- Work for political campaigns; or
- Time spent commuting to/from home to the service opportunity within the Phoenix metro area.