School of Law Partners with Obama Administration to Champion Pro Bono Work

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas School of Law is partnering with the Obama administration to present the White House Champions of Change event at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. The law school will live-stream the event, featuring U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and other members of the administration, in the Norma Lea Beasley Entrance Hall in the Leflar Law Center. The event is free and open to the public.

The Champions of Change conversation will focus on how to close the justice gap and will include law students, faculty and public service lawyers from throughout the nation. In addition, 16 exemplary public servants will be honored by the White House, which hopes to inspire students to give their time and talent to pro bono efforts and to securing basic rights for all Americans.  

“The School of Law is honored to partner with the Obama administration to celebrate pro bono service and access to justice,” said Stacy L. Leeds, dean of the School of Law. “Our law students are committed to making a positive difference, as evidenced by the more than 3,300 pro bono hours they volunteered last year. We look forward to working with the White House to build on our commitment to service.”

The Champions of Change conversation is the first of several events the School of Law is hosting to celebrate National Pro Bono Week, which will take place Oct. 24-28. Translated from the Latin, pro bono means “for good” and usually entails performing legal service for clients at no charge to them.

Upcoming events include a proclamation from Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan, a pro bono luncheon and the provision of free legal aid for first responders such as firefighters, police officers and emergency health care workers.