Pro Bono

Hello again, Jury of Peers! This week we are tackling Pro-Bono Requirements and let me tell you, helping the community is even more important now than ever. Amidst the COVID-19 craziness, law school still marches on. And part of that march is to complete 40 hours of pro-bono work.

As a 1L I couldn’t start doing any pro-bono hours until spring semester. 1L’s can complete up to 10 of our 40 hours in spring if we choose. There are lots of ways to fulfill this requirement, but since most are listed on the LLS website, I thought I’d share some of the ways that you can get hours that you won’t necessarily find there.

One fun way to get pro-bono hours is through being a juror for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) or helping with research at the Federal Pro Se Clinic. Another way is to be a mentor for the Young Lawyers Mentor Program. Without bogging this post down, these are just some of the ways that LLS students can give back to the community and log hours.

I was really interested in being a mentor, however, I decided to wait until next year to apply because I wanted to focus in on finishing 1L strong. With our drastically changed experience this spring, I’m glad I can give all my attention to my classes and maintain some sort of control over life in this uncertain time.

As a note, Loyola not only gives back to the community but it also gives back to their students. During the last few weeks when everything was shutting down, classes were moving online, and society was drastically changing its everyday operation, LLS was constantly looking out for its student body. The faculty and administration are doing everything they can to help students succeed despite this tumultuous time such as online access to Bluebook, Zoom conferences with our mental health specialist, Dean Waterstone inviting emails from students voicing concerns, and providing a food pantry for those who are struggling.

As an institution, LLS is focused on giving back not only in times of widespread hardship and desperation, but all the time. Because for some, this feeling is a constant. Helping our community is so vital and I, for one, am excited to jump into doing more for others through my pro-bono hours in the fall. That gives me something to be hopeful for.

Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay home.

See you in the next one,

Kelsey