University of Pittsburgh School of Law
University of Pittsburgh
School of Law
Barco Law Building
3900 Forbes Avenue
Pitttsburgh, PA 15260
www.law.pitt.edu
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Mary K. Thinium, Esq.Director of Career Services & Public Interest Initiatives
Thinium@pitt.edu
412-648-1411
Category Type
Formal voluntary Pro Bono Program characterized by Referral System with a Coordinator
Description of Program
The Director of Career Services and Public Interest Initiatives serves as the primary referral source for student pro bono opportunities. The Director has an established relationship with the Allegheny County Bar Association Pro Bono Coordinator and works with the ACBA to promote pro bono opportunities for law students. The Director also co-sponsors a Pro Bono and Volunteer Fair each year with the student organization PLISF (Pitt Legal Income Sharing Foundation). The Director published student pro bono opportunities in the weekly Professional Development Newsletter, Pitt Law Works. Additional pro bono and volunteer projects are promoted by the Dean of Students, Law School Faculty and student organizations in the Law School’s E-Docket Newsletter.
Location of Program
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The Director of Career Services and Public Interest Initiatives oversees the majority of pro bono projects for students.Lu-in Wang, Associate Dean ( wangl@pitt.edu) oversees the Law School’s academic programs.
Funding
Student pro bono groups have access to Career Services Office and Student Affairs Office. Student organizations have used a combination of student organization funding and the law school funding to help defray travel expenses for pro bono projects. Faculty are allowed to use School of Law resources, including school-compensated research assistants, in aid of external service activity.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Pitt Legal Income Sharing Foundation (PLISF) is the student public interest organization.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
Faculty and administrators serve as advisors to student pro bono groups.The faculty pro bono policy is set forth in the faculty handbook: "To aid in the solution of urgent problems, the School of Law recognizes an obligation to make available to government, business, labor, public interest and civic organizations the special knowledge and intellectual competence of its faculty members. It also recognizes the potential value, both to faculty and to the School of Law, that . . . such . . . outside activity may offer a faculty member by acquainting the individual with the organizations in which his or her students may eventually be employed.
Awards/Recognition
Each year the law school holds a Public Interest Recognition Reception for students participating in public interest and pro bono programs. A third year student is also awarded the Distinguished Public Interest Student award.
Community Service
The Pro Bono/Volunteer Fair also includes representatives from non-legal organizations. In addition, volunteer opportunities are emailed to students from both the Career Services Office and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
Law School Public Interest Programs
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Contact Information
Mary ThiniumDirector of Career Services and Public Interest Initiatives
thinium@pitt.edu
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Environmental Law, Science & Policy CertificateHealth Law Certificate
Joint Degree Programs with the School of Social Work, Graduate School of Public Health and Graduate School of Public & International Affairs
Public Interest Centers
Public Interest Clinics
Civil Practice Clinic (Focus on Health Law and Elder Law)Community & Economic Development Clinic
Environmental Law Clinic
Family Law Clinic
Taxpayer Low Income Clinic
Externships/Internships
The school runs an externship program whereby students receive academic credit for working at non-profit organizations, government agencies and judicial chambers.
Classes with a Public Service Component
Bioethics & Law Clinical PracticumCriminal Appellate Practicum
Criminal Prosecution Practicum
Environmental & Occupational Health & Safety Summer Institute
Health Law Practicum
Lawyering Process III – student work at Legal Services Provider
Legal Services Practicum
Worker’s Compensation Practicum
Public Interest Journals
Pittsburgh Journal of Environmental and Public Health Law
Public Interest Career Assistance
Mary Thinium, Director of Career Services and Public Interest Initiatives thinium@pitt.eduEducational programs are offered throughout the year to introduce students to careers in public interest law. Interested students also attend the Equal Justice Works Career Fair in Washington D.C. each year, along with other public interest oriented events.
In addition the Law School is a member of Equal Justice Works and subscribes to PSLawNet.
Annual Public Interest Recognition Reception and Distinguished Public Interest Student Award
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
A Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) will commence in 2007-2008
Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards
Law School Funded:
Each year a graduating student receives the Distinguished Public Interest Scholar Award
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Equal Justice Works Fellowships along with fellowships offered by other organizations.
Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships
Law School Funded:
The Law School offers up to four partial tuition scholarships ($10,000-$16,000) for incoming students pursuing public interest careers. These scholarships are renewable for all 3 years of law school. Additionally, the Law School’s Center for International Legal Education (CILE) offers fellowships for students pursuing study, research or internships abroad.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
U.S. Schweitzer Fellowship Program – Pitt Law students have participated in the Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program, which is designed to support students in providing direct service that addresses the health needs of underserved individuals and communities. The Schweitzer Fellows receive an annual stipend of $2,000.
Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
The Law School’s Center for International Legal Education (CILE) offers fellowships for students pursuing study, research or internships abroad.
Graduate Student Funded:
Pitt Legal Income Sharing Foundation raises funds each year to provide summer grants to students working in public interest organizations and government agencies.
Other Funding Sources:
Equal Justice Works
Peggy Browning
K&L Gates Public Interest Fellowship
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
Annual Law School Pro Bono/Volunteer Fair along with various programs throughout the year that bring public interest practitioners to the law school.
Student Public Interest Groups
Pitt Legal Income Sharing Foundation (PLISF), Student Hurricane Network. Additionally, various student organizations host pro bono and public interest events throughout the year.
