School of Law Celebrates National Pro Bono Week

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Students and faculty members at the U of A School of Law are participating in a nationwide celebration of pro bono during Pro Bono Week, Oct. 25-31.

Events during the week include community engagement events and projects such as a student panel on pro bono and a legal service project.

Monday, Oct. 26, law students volunteered for "Arkansas Free Legal Answers" and remotely responded to civil legal questions for low-income Arkansans.

Pro Bono Fellow Lexi Acello will moderate "Reasons to Serve: A Student Panel on Pro Bono" from noon-12:50 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28. Law students will share their experience with pro bono work, and Acello will discuss pro bono opportunities at the law school and reasons to get involved.

The School of Law recognizes the students who have completed the most pro bono hours for their dedication to those in need. The top 10 pro bono students are Acello, Kara Butler, Laura Edmondson, Anna Tanselli, Caleb Epperson, Mara Hayn, Rebekah Verhoek, Martin  Arroyo, Kristi Caple and Chafer Stanley. 

All law students who have performed pro bono are eligible to receive a free University of Arkansas School of Law Public Service and Pro Bono Program mug when they complete a short survey on the impact their pro bono experience has had on them. The survey is live, and students are encouraged to complete it during Pro Bono Week. 

Students can also earn a mug by registering for GivePulse and joining the School of Law – Pro Bono subgroup (which can be found within the School of Law subgroup) during Pro Bono Week. The law school uses the university’s GivePulse system to advertise pro bono opportunities and record service hours. To receive pro bono credit, opportunities must be listed in the School of Law – Pro Bono subgroup and students must sign up through the GivePulse platform. See this video for instructions on how to log in. The two-step process will require new members to first create an account and then become a subgroup member. 

About Pro Bono Week: In 2009, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service launched Pro Bono Week because of an increased need for pro bono services. The nationwide celebration provides an opportunity for community legal associations across the country to provide quality legal services to those in need.

About GivePulse: GivePulse is a comprehensive, university-wide volunteer platform that allows users to locate volunteer opportunities on campus and around the Northwest Arkansas community. Students can sign up by using a browser or the iPhone app. Users can log their service hours and have them verified by volunteer supervisors. Logging service hours through GivePulse will automatically keep track of hours and enter students into qualifying awards.