Over spring break, 21 Catholic Law students gained invaluable hands-on experience through the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program. Managed by the Office of Career and Professional Development in partnership with the DC law school Pro Bono Consortium and local public interest legal providers, ASB exposes students to different practice areas across the region. Volunteers partnered with 10 organizations to tackle critical community issues.
At the Neighborhood Legal Services Program, for example, students assisted attorneys in resolving security deposit and housing repair disputes. They conducted client interviews and drafted demand letters, gaining practical skills while building strong writing samples for their future careers. The program also offered unique chances to modernize legal aid, notably with the DC Bar Pro Bono Center. Here, students used AI tools to redesign volunteer orientation videos and developed practical housing law workflows for illegal eviction and rent cases.
For many volunteers, the week provided a powerful reminder of why they chose to study law in the first place. First-year law student Khadijah Toran devoted her break to working with the Mothers Outreach Network, where she immersed herself in advocacy supporting vulnerable mothers. Toran conducted in-depth research on the impacts of mandated reporting in Washington, DC, uncovering how it creates systemic barriers for mothers—particularly Black mothers—seeking healthcare.
Her work explored the fear many mothers have of sudden involvement from child services, and how this leads to obstacles in accessing critical medical care. “This experience was the perfect reminder for me as to why I decided to pursue a career in law,” Toran reflected. She not only engaged in researching and writing memos but also contributed valuable legal input on real cases. A project she found especially meaningful focused on how poverty is not neglect, closely aligning with her own values.
Beyond her legal work, Toran attended the DCSJTN Convening sponsored by the DC Bar Foundation, where she connected with legal professionals and advocates, and found renewed motivation in hearing from an attorney with a shared experience. "Witnessing her practice and listening to her speak about her experiences while attending law school and becoming a licensed attorney was so empowering," Toran remarked, emphasizing that these opportunities reinforced her commitment to the legal field and inspired her to further pursue public interest law.
Catholic Law’s Pro Bono Program stands as a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering a strong public service ethos among its students. The program encourages all students to advance the public interest and increase access to justice by engaging in law-related, attorney-supervised, uncompensated work that directly serves individuals and communities in need. For those interested in participating or seeking further information, the program’s guidelines detail what qualifies for pro bono work and how to report hours, with Rachel Lawrence, Associate Director for Pro Bono & Public Interest Career Development (lawrencera@cua.edu), available for direct support.