Directory
Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Professor Edward W. De Barbieri
Professor of Law
[email protected]
518-445-3234
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Pro Bono Program Characterized by a Referral System with a Coordinator
Description of Programs
Albany Law School has a deep and abiding commitment to pro bono service and to supporting students pursuing public interest and public sector careers as the law school’s distinguished faculty includes some of the leading scholars in criminal, environmental, health, and government practice. The Pro Bono Coordinator, who is based within The Edward P. Swyer Justice Center, works closely with students, community partners, and faculty to broaden the scope and range of pro bono service learning opportunities. The Coordinator works with legal services organizations, agencies, community resource enters, and faculty to develop legal or law related service-learning opportunities for students; oversees and provides institutional support to pro bono programs, including the Pro Bono Society; and engages national pro bono organizations to increase awareness and visibility of Albany Law School’s programs and projects. Finally, each of the clinics within The Edward P. Swyer Justice Center at Albany Law School provide unique opportunities for students to gain invaluable legal skills while aiding those most in need.
Location of Programs
With the clinic/externship program.
Staffing/Management/Oversight
A faculty member supervises the pro bono program.
Funding
The Pro Bono Program is funded by the law school and grants.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
A number of Albany Law faculty are involved in pro bono work and in many instances work closely with student pro bono interns.
Awards/Recognition
Platinum recognition for 750+ hours of public interest/ pro bono, Gold recognition for 500+ hours, and Silver recognition for 250+ hours, recognition of Pro Bono Honors for students completing over 100 hours in a student-led Pro Bono Project
Alternative Winter or Spring Break Projects
None.
Law School Public Interest Programs
Contact Information
Professor Sarah Rogerson
Professor and Director of the Edward P. Swyer Justice Center
[email protected]
(518) 445-2328
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
https://www.albanylaw.edu/programs-centers/public-interest-law
Public Interest Centers
The Edward P. Swyer Justice Center at Albany Law School combines theory and practice and acts as an in-house public interest law firm, providing free legal services to eligible clients in the Capital Region. In a typical academic year, The Justice Center recruits more than 200 students for clinic projects, representing hundreds of clients and assisting many more individuals and organizations through technical assistance and community education activities. The Justice Center at Albany Law School's mission is to provide high quality legal representation and to teach students to be skilled professionals who practice law with compassion and sensitivity to individual client needs.
PI Career Support Center
Every student has the opportunity to work hand in hand with a career counselor from the very beginning of law school. The effectiveness of this partnering is evident, not only when students receive job offers, but also when students meaningfully determine their future career goals. Our mission is to make sure students have every available resource to achieve those goals. Public interest opportunities include legal aid and legal services offices both in New York State, New York City, and across the nation.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
Albany Law School has always been committed to making rewarding public interest careers more viable to its graduates. To further that commitment, the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) was launched in December 2004. This program is designed to help alleviate the financial burden of educational loan repayment upon students who wish to pursue careers in public interest law, as well as city, county and state attorney's offices, and agencies operated by a city, county or state. The LRAP allows JD graduates from the 3 most recent graduating classes to apply for forgivable loans of up to $10,000 per year for a maximum of three years. The full program description and application are available below. Applications will be accepted yearly from Jan. 31 to March 31.
Fellowships
None.
06/21/2024