Directory
Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
Brigham Young University
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Ms. MariLee Allred
On Campus Recruiting Manager
P: (801) 422.1857
Email
Professor James Backman
Public Interest/Pro Bono Faculty Advisor
P: (801) 422.2221
Email
Professor Steven E. Averett
Associate Law Librarian and Assistant Director of Externships
P: (801) 422.9023
Email
Professor Susan Griffith
Assistant Director, Externships
P: (801) 422.3947
Email
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Program Characterized by Administrative Support for in-house and Collaborative Student Group Projects.
Description of Programs
Many non-clinical public service opportunities are offered through Law Help seminars on topics including elder law, street/poverty law, mediation, domestic relations, and child advocacy. The seminars have service learning components. Several other courses including community lawyering also have service learning components. The law school also offers opportunities for students to volunteer as community mediators.
Staffing/Management/Oversight
Beth Hansen (director) and Mary Hoagland (assistant dean) oversee the public interest and pro bono projects affiliated with the school's Career Services office. There is no paid pro bono coordinator overseeing the several faculty members incorporating service learning in their courses. Students may be involved as research assistants to supervising faculty members within the various programs.
Funding
None listed
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
None listed
Awards/Recognition
The law school gives Distinguished Service Awards to recognize outstanding public interest, community, and pro bono service by students and faculty.
The Utah Bar Foundation also gives one or more Public Interest Awards on an annual basis to deserving law students.
The law school's student-run Public Interest Law Foundation gives three annual awards (one to a 1L, one to a 2L, one to a 3L) for public interest involvement.
The law school also gives a Public Service Award to each third year student that completes 50 hours of pro bono work during their time in law school.
Alternative Winter or Spring Break Projects
Law School Public Interest Programs
Contact Information
Ms. MariLee Allred
On Campus Recruiting Manager
Public Interest/Pro Bono Advisor
P: (801) 422-1857
Email
Professor James Backman
Public Interest/Pro Bono Faculty Advisor
P: (801) 422-2221
Email
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
None listed
Public Interest Centers
Schooley Mediation Program: Funded by a private endowment of $600,000, the mediation program trains students in mediation skills through courses, workshops, externships and simulation laboratories. Students perform mediations in small claims court, with school truancy programs and juvenile court victim-offender mediations, in landlord-tenant disputes, etc.
The BYU International Center for Law and Religion Studies: Founded in 2000, the Center promotes freedom of religion by studying and disseminating information on the laws, principles, and institutions affecting the interaction of state and religion throughout the world. Director: Professor W. Cole Durham, Jr P: (801) 422-6842.
Public Interest Career Support
Public Interest law counseling: Assistant Dean Mary Hoagland & Director Beth Hansen, [email protected], P: (801) 422-3685.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
BYU administers an interest forgiveness/deferral program for students who experience financial hardship. This program applies only to loans made from the law school and not to federal loans.
Fellowships