Directory
University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
University of Hawaii
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Dale W. Lee
Director of Professional Development
William S. Richardson School of Law
University of Hawai`i at Manoa
2515 Dole Street
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96822
(808) 956-8636
[email protected]
James H. Pietsch
Pofessor of Law and Director of Elder Law Program
808/956-6785,
[email protected]
Category Type
Pro Bono Graduation Requirement
Description of Programs
The preparation of lawyers who recognize the significance of their public service obligations is an important objective of the William S. Richardson School of Law. In 1992 the William S. Richardson School of Law adopted a Law Student Public Service graduation requirement. The class of 1995 was the first graduating class obliged to fulfill the requirement. The Law Student Public Service (better known as "Pro Bono") Program introduces the concept of pro bono service to law students and is an integral part of the academic program at the law school. It provides law students the opportunity to address unmet legal needs in the community while enriching their legal education.
The Pro Bono Program at the William S. Richardson School of Law was one of the first law school pro bono programs in the nation and is thought to be the first student-initiated mandatory program in the nation. In April 1991, a student organization, Advocates for Public Interest Law, presented a formal proposal to the faculty. Recognizing both the long tradition in the legal profession to serve the underprivileged and to ensure legal access for all as well as a national movement in its infancy toward mandatory pro bono service in the legal profession, the student leaders wanted the law school to foster in all law students a life-time professional commitment to public legal service by creating a pro bono graduation requirement.
Students are required to locate and to provide law-related pro bono work under the supervision of an attorney, law school faculty or dean, or other supervisor, as approved by the Pro Bono Program Director. The definition of law-related pro bono work is construed liberally and includes law related work with any federal, state, or local government agency, court or legislature. Law students are encouraged to provide a portion of their pro bono service for indigent clients. The pro bono work is meant to be law-related in nature, not clerical or administrative. Additionally, an evaluation component that encourages the student to discuss and evaluate his or her experience with the Pro Bono Program Director is built into the program.
Successful completion of the pro bono service requirement is a condition for graduation. Law students who enroll in the School of Law must complete 60 hours of pro bono service prior to graduation. Transfer students must complete a total of 10 hours of pro bono service for every semester enrolled in the School of Law. The pro bono requirement began with the entering class of August 1992. All law school admittees are given notice of the pro bono graduation requirement when acceptance letters are sent to them.
For further information, see www.law.hawaii.edu/probono
Location of Programs
Stand-Alone Program. See www.law.hawaii.edu/probono
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The Pro Bono Program director is a faculty member who has an assistant who is not compensated but works pro bono.
There is a Pro Bono Program Committee consisting of three law school faculty/staff members designated by the Dean.
Funding
The program is internally funded.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Environmental Law Society -- Members have the opportunity to provide legal research assistance to attorneys representing individuals and organizations concerned with protection of the environment, take direct action for the protection and enhancement of the environment (e.g., testifying to the Legislature regarding environmental bills), and participate in forums for the exchange of information and the promotion of a better understanding of environmental law and policy issues.
VITA
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
Faculty members supervise the Environmental Law Society.
Awards/Recognition
Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii sponsors a Pro Bono Award for Students.
Community Service
Community Service Projects, events and opportunities are advertised through the law school weekly electronic newsletter as well as individual e-mails, brochures, etc. Regular activities include:
- Aloha United Way
- Environmental Projects
- Native Hawaiian Issues
- Campus/Community Clean-Up Projects
- Food Drives
- Blood Drives
Law School Public Interest Programs
Contact Information
Dale W. Lee
Director of Professional Development
William S. Richardson School of Law
University of Hawai`i at Manoa
2515 Dole Street
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96822
(808) 956-8636
[email protected]
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Public Interest Centers
Public Interest Clinics
Externships/Internships
Classes with a Public Service Component
Public Interest Journals
PI Career Support Center
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded
Other Funding Sources:
Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
Student Public Interest Groups
6/14/2021