Valparaiso University School of Law
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University School of Law
656 S. Greenwich Street
Wesemann Hall
Valparaiso, IN 46383
www.valpo.edu/law/
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Faculty Supervisor:
Prof. Ivan E. Bodensteiner
(219) 465-7852
ivan.bodensteiner@valpo.edu
Administrative Supervisor:
Jason Prowant
Assistant Director
(219) 465-7802
jason.prowant@valpo.edu
Category Type
Pro Bono Graduation Requirement.
Description of Program
Since 1990, students must complete 20 hours of pro bono legal service prior to graduation. Qualifying service tracks the language of Rule 6.1 of the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct and includes assisting a private attorney on matters handled without a fee or a reduced fee, assisting an attorney who represents the government, assisting a judge, and assisting an attorney employed by a public interest organization. The activity must be of the type of work expected of an attorney or law clerk. The program is supervised by Professor Ivan Bodensteiner and administered through the Career Planning Center. Students may fulfill the pro bono requirement starting in the summer following their 1L year and must complete it prior to graduation. Opportunities are facilitated by the Career Planning Center. Students make the contacts themselves. Supervising attorneys confirm that the work was done and are encouraged to comment.
Students have the option of doing the work during the summer, over breaks and during the academic year.
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Location of Program
Career Planning Center
Staffing/Management/Oversight
A Career Planning counselor is responsible for administration and oversight of the Pro Bono Program.
Funding
There is no designated funding for the program. However, a salaried employee does administer the program as one of her job responsibilities.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
There is no formal faculty pro bono policy. It is taken into account when faculty members are considered for promotion and tenure.
Awards/Recognition
Students who complete 40 or more hours of pro bono activity receive a notation or pro bono commendation on their law school transcripts.
Community Service
Law School Public Interest Programs
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Contact Information
Jason Prowant
Assistant Director
(219) 465-7802
jason.prowant@valpo.edu
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Graduates who complete 40 or more Pro Bono hours in their third year receive a Pro Bono Commendation on their law school transcript.
Public Interest Centers
Public Interest Clinics
- Civil Law
- Criminal Law
- Juvenile Law
- Sports Law
- Mediation
- Tax
Externships/Internships
70 total Externships offered during the fall, spring and summer terms. Sampling of externships:Federal judges, state judges, U.S. Dept of Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service, Federal Trade Commission, National Immigrant Justice Center, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Cook County Public Guardian, Federal Highway Administration, Rush University Medical Center ,Lake County Public Defender, Hammond Legal Clinic, U.S. Attorney's Office.
Classes with a Public Service Component
Public Interest Journals
Public Interest Career Assistance
Valpo Law is a member of the Chicago Area Law School Consortium and participates in the two job fairs organized by the Consortium: Public Interest Employers Reception and the Midwest Public Interest Law Career Conference. Also, Valpo Law provides travel assistance grants to students who participate in public interest job fairs like the Equal Justice Works Career Fair and Conference and public interest retreats like the Amaker Public Interest and Social Justice Retreat.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
In order to encourage law students to accept public interest jobs upon graduation, Valparaiso offers a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). This program is designed to offer financial assistance to Valpo Law graduates who have chosen to go into public interest employment, and who have accumulated substantial debt from educational loans. Awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 each year. In 2006, $100,000 was awarded. For additional information, contact Kim Bubac, Assistant Director of Career Planning at 219/465- 7967 or kim.bubac@valpo.edu.
Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards
Law School Funded:
The Loan Repayment Assistance Program is also available to those who have graduated within three years from the law school.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
Valpo Law offers Summer Public Interest Scholarships to students who accept employment with a public interest employer during the summer and receive no compensation. Awards range from $1000-3000 per student. In 2006, $50,000 was awarded. For additional information, please contact Kimberly Bubac at kim.bubac@valpo.edu or at 219/465-7967.
Equal Justice Alliance offers a Supplemental Grant for summer public interest employment. Awards vary from year to year.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
Student Public Interest Groups
Valpo Law has over 20 student organizations. Below is a sampling of those groups with a public interest focus: American Civil Liberties Union
Equal Justice Alliance
Just Democracy
Valparaiso Environmental Law Society
