The Catholic University of America

 
 Pro Bono - Office of Career and Professional Development


A Catholic institution located in Washington, D.C., the Columbus School of Law has a unique mission of service. This mission is exemplified by our dedication to pro bono work, a commitment shared by students, faculty and alumni alike.

THE CUA LAW PRO BONO CHALLENGE

MISSION OF THE CUA LAW PRO BONO PROGRAM
 
The mission of the Pro Bono Program is three-fold: 1) to expand the capacity of local attorneys to provide high-quality legal services to underrepresented individuals and groups; 2) to instill in CUA Law students a lifelong professional commitment to pro bono work ; and 3) to provide superior practical experiences to CUA’s young lawyers-in-training.
 
WHAT IS THE PRO BONO CHALLENGE?
 
Through the Pro Bono Challenge, CUA students pledge to complete varying levels of pro bono service during their three or four years of law school. Students can pledge at any of the following levels and will be recognized accordingly:
 
  • One pro bono project of any duration
  • 25 hours of pro bono (Pro Bono Service Honors Certificate; notation in graduation bulletin)
  • 50 hours of pro bono (Outstanding Pro Bono Service Honors Certificate; graduation bulletin)
  • 75+ hours of pro bono (Exceptional Pro Bono Service Honors Certificate; graduation bulletin)

Additionally, each year, the Law School recognizes exceptional student pro bono service at graduation with the Michael F. Curtin Pro Bono Award, given to the graduating student who has "honored the highest ideals of the Columbus School of Law by voluntary pro bono service to others." The award is named in tribute to alumnus Michael F. Curtin, in recognition of his more than 40 years of leadership and selfless dedication to the Law School and the legal profession.

WHAT COUNTS AS PRO BONO?
The following criteria must be met for a student’s work to qualify as pro bono for the purposes of recognition by the CUA Law Pro Bono Program:
  1. The law student must engage in law-related activities.
  2. The law student’s work must be supervised and/or approved by an attorney.
  3. No academic credit or financial compensation may be received for the work.
  4. The law-related services must be provided for free or at a substantially reduced rate.
  5. The law-related activities must be on behalf of:
    1. person(s) of limited financial means; or
    2. person(s) with limited access to legal representation; or
    3. nonprofit, civic, community, religious or governmental organizations.
Students will find available pro bono opportunities on the Pro Bono at CUA Law TWEN page. Students are also free to seek out their own pro bono projects but must secure approval from the Pro Bono Coordinator beforehand to ensure the work will count toward their Challenge hours. 
 
OTHER KEY FACTS
  • Pro bono is your professional responsibility—ABA Model Rule 6.1 suggests that every lawyer perform 50 hours of pro bono service each year.
  • Pro bono is one of the best ways to build practical experience in law school and set yourself apart from many other candidates applying for the same jobs you are.
  • Pro bono is a great way to build a network of contacts and references for job searching.
  • A project can be as short as 3-5 hours or as long as several hours a week for a few weeks.
  • Many projects can be done from home, at night, or on weekends (GREAT for evening students). 
 

Click to see how students have answered the call to serve!

Students:  Learn about current pro bono opportunities!

Employers / Legal Services Organizations:  Post pro bono projects to get student assistance!

Alumni:  Get student assistance with your pro bono projects and help your alma mater at the same time! 

Questions? Please contact Jen Tschirch at tschirch@law.edu or (202) 319-5599.