Rachel Lawrence, Associate Director for Pro Bono and Public Interest Career Development at Catholic Law, recently published an article in NALP's April Bulletin titled "'Building Skills, Serving Justice' How CSOs Can Structure Pro Bono Programs to Enhance Law Student Professional Development." Drawing from her decade of experience at Catholic Law, Lawrence explored the question many students ask: Why should I do pro bono work when I’m already overwhelmed? Through conversations with career services offices (CSOs) and employers, she shares that pro bono programs not only serve communities in need but also provide law students with invaluable professional development opportunities.

By doing pro bono, students gain hard skills like issue spotting and client communication, as well as soft skills such as networking and emotional intelligence. Catholic Law’s Pro Bono Program, built on partnerships with external legal service providers and supported by a student-led Pro Bono Advisory Board, offers accessible, bite-sized opportunities for students to grow their skills and confidence. Lawrence emphasizes that pro bono work helps students test different practice areas, build their professional brand, and connect with legal professionals who could become future employers. By encouraging students to engage in pro bono, CSOs can help them develop as attorneys while making a meaningful impact on their communities.