Dean Margaret Sova McCabe has named Ashley James the Rose Law Firm's 200th Anniversary Pro Bono Fellow at the U of A School of Law.

Each year, the dean selects one or more promising students to serve as a U of A School of Law Pro Bono Fellow during their third year of law school. The title, along with a stipend, recognizes and supports exemplary law students committed to pro bono (legal services performed free of charge or at reduced fees for the public good). Fellows encourage their peers to engage in pro bono and other forms of community service.

James was selected in recognition of her consistent service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, significant leadership potential and performance of substantial pro bono work.

"I am very excited to have been selected as the 2021-22 Pro Bono Fellow," James said. "Serving my community has been the main motivating factor in my pursuit of a legal career. I am looking forward to serving this year and helping to connect my peers with the many opportunities that the pro bono program has to offer."

"Student leadership is crucial to supporting and sustaining a law school culture that values service," said Annie Smith, associate professor of law and director of the school's Pro Bono and Community Engagement program. "We are so grateful to Rose Law Firm's commitment to public service and pro bono work, and to their leadership in funding this program."

James is on the 2021-22 executive board of Animal Legal Defense Fund at the U of A School of Law, serving as her class representative. She was also an intern at the Center for Arkansas Legal Services Pro Bono in 2020-21. In 2020, she met with attorneys and conducted research to help determine the legal needs of individuals and families surrounding the opioid epidemic. In 2021, using Court Connect, James compiled and submitted data to the housing department so individuals and families facing eviction could be reached and informed.

James will serve as an intern for Crawford County Public Defender's Office in May 2021. In Spring 2021, she served as an extern for Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and in 2020, as a summer clerk for Arkansas Attorney General's Office. She graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2017.

Fellows serve as student leaders of the law school's Pro Bono and Community Engagement program. They attend outreach events with other law students, participate in one-day clinics, assist with recruitment of law students for pro bono service and engage in planning related to the program.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.