Syracuse University College of Law
Syracuse University
College of Law
Ernest I. White Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244
www.law.syr.edu
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Alexis Martinez, Esq.
Director, Student Programs & Pro Bono Initiatives
Amarti17@law.syr.edu
315-443-1146
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Pro Bono Program Characterized by a Referral System with a Coordinator
Description of Program
Lawyers are professionals with an obligation to serve the legal profession and their community. This obligation begins with enrollment in law school. In order to meet this obligation and to implement a process for instilling a sense of service, we encourage every student at the Syracuse University College of Law to participate in Pro Bono and Community Service activities.
We undertake this as part of our commitment to the pursuit of excellence in learning, professionalism, and service. Pro Bono and Community Service can take on a variety of forms. In order to count as Pro Bono and Community Service in our program, students cannot be compensation or receive academic credit. Activities that qualify as pro bono and community service under this requirement include providing services:- to people served by legal services and legal aid organizations;
- to low and moderate income people served by Bar sponsored programs designed to promote access to justice and the legal system;
- to nonprofit charitable and community groups and organizations (excluding political parties);
- to schools (grades K-12) with programs designed to advance an understanding of the legal system .
Students who have reached a minimum of 30 hours are recognized for their community advocacy and Pro Bono Service through the annual recognition reception.
Location of Program
SUCOL Pro Bono Program is located in the Office of Student Life
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The Program is staffed by a Director, Staff Associate, and a student pro bono fellow. The Director reports to the Sr. Assistant Dean of Student Life. The newly created Public Service Advisory Board, comprised of student project leaders and volunteers, plays an instrumental role in the programming and service centered community at SUCOL.
The Office of Professional Development has a career counselor who dedicates time to counseling students interest in public service positions.
Funding
The SUCOL Pro Bono Program is funded by the College of Law.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
The College of Law is proud to have many student organizations dedicated to service including, the Syracuse Public Interest Network (SPIN - engaged in multiple projects throughout the year including Volunteer Income tax assistance, and a food stamp program), National Women’s Law Students Association (Outreach and support to women and children who are victims of domestic violence.), and Muslim Law Students Association (which raise funds on an annual basis for a local charity whose mission it is combat hunger).
In addition, the Student Senate sponsors service programs throughout the year.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
Many faculty members are engaged in public interest and pro bono efforts ranging from Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program, to Civil and Disability rights.
Awards/Recognition
Because the College of Law is proud of our students’ commitment to pro bono and community service work, we have created a special recognition program. In order for a student to receive special recognition at graduation, a student must be in good academic standing and have completed at least 30 hours of pro bono and community service within this program. Students, Faculty, Alumni and staff gather for the Public Service Annual Recognition Reception, held in the Spring each year.
There are two categories of Pro Bono and Community Service Recognition Awards. Blue Pro Bono Community Service Award: (complete the recommended 30 hours of service) Orange Pro Bono and Community Service Award: (exceed the recommended 30 hours of service by at least 1 full hour) In addition, the top three graduating students providing the most pro bono and community service hours shall be individually recognized.
The Special Recognition Awards are given at the Public Service Recognition Reception at the end of the year and are noted in the graduation materials. In addition, students are given a special signifier to wear at graduation, as provided by the College of Law.
Community Service
Community outreach projects are made available through the Pro Bono program. The College of Law hosts Blood Drives, food and clothing drives, and joins community efforts such as walk-a-thons and days of service on behalf of the United Way. The College of Law has a close relationship with various local agencies. Each year, the Pro Bono Program sponsors a Day of Service which sends scores of volunteers to various agencies/sites for service projects. Other projects featured on an ongoing basis include: Blodgett Afterschool Care Project – students volunteer to work with children in first through eighth grades after school as academic tutors or mentors; SU Holiday Sharing – Students, Faculty and staff members from the College of Law participate in the program each year to help spread the holiday spirit to a local family in need of food, clothing, and gifts.
In addition, we are dedicated to building service and support programs in conjunction with our legal advocacy programs to best meet the needs of the clients.
Law School Public Interest Programs
Back to top
Contact Information
Alexis Martinez, Esq.
Director, Student Programs & Pro Bono Initiatives
315-443-1146
amarti17@law.syr.edu
For Professional & Career Development issues, contact:
Samantha Z. Kasmarek, Esq.
Associate Director of Professional & Career Development
315 443 1941
kasmarek@law.syr.edu
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Disability Law & Policy Certificate Program
Family Law & Social Policy
National Security & Counterterrorism
For more information about the Certificate Programs: http://www.law.syr.edu/academics/centers/index.aspx
Public Interest Centers
Family Law & Social Policy Center
Center on Property, Citizenship & social Entrepreneurism
Center for Indigenous Law, Governance & Citizenship
Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism
Disability Law & Policy
Burton Blatt Institute
Full listing of all centers: http://www.law.syr.edu/academics/centers/index.aspx
Public Interest Clinics
The Office of Clinical Legal Education operates two programs: an on-campus law office representing low income individuals, not-for-profits, and small businesses; and an externship program, which places students in the community to work with government and public interest attorneys and with judges. Students receive academic credit for both of these programs, with opportunities available for 2nd and 3rd year students.
In academic year 2008-09, clinical opportunities are available in the following areas: Children's Rights and Family Law, Community Development, Criminal Defense, Disability Rights, Elder Law, Low-Income Taxpayer, and Securities Arbitration and Consumer Law. For more information on the SUCOL clinics: http://www.law.syr.edu/academics/clinicaleducation/inhouse_clinics.aspx
Externships/Internships
The Externship Program is available to second and third year students who are in good academic standing. Students may participate in the Program during the academic year and/or during the summer. To enroll students participate in an application and interview process with pre-established placement sites during the Spring semester. Representative externship placements include the United States Attorneys' Office, the City of Syracuse Corporation Counsel's Office, federal and state judges, Hiscock Legal Aid, and Legal Services of Central New York.
For more information on the SUCOL externship program: http://www.law.syr.edu/academics/clinicaleducation/externships.aspx
Classes with a Public Service Component
Public Interest Journals
Impunity Watch - Impunity Watch's fundamental goal is to provide a means of casting a light on perceived injustices and providing a voice for the voiceless. This is achieved by providing an open forum, real-time unbiased objective reporting, and reflection on impunity issues throughout the world. Further, they endeavor to foster awareness and build readership by publishing timely, scholarly articles written by academic, professional, and student authors on impunity issues. The publication’s true hope is to inspire awareness and to immediately alert the world to impunity issues as they arise. It is the goal of the publication to give the modern day Anne Frank a medium to instantaneously share her story while there is still time to make a difference.
http://www.law.syr.edu/students/publications/impunitywatch/
Public Interest Career Assistance
Syracuse University College of Law, through its Professional & Career Development Office:- Offers a subscription to PSLawNet (Public Service Law Network Worldwide) to students and alums
- Belongs to Equal Justice Works and sends students to the annual Career Fair in Washington, D.C.
- Sends students to the NYU Public Interest Legal Career Fair
- Has a number of books that list various public interest opportunities, such as PSLawNet’s The Comprehensive Fellowship Guide and Harvard Law School’s Serving the Public: A Job Search Guide Vol. I and Vol. II, amongst others
- Has one person in that office designated as a public interest career counselor, although all counselors in the office have the ability to counsel students and alums interested in public service
- Offers various public interest programming throughout the year
- Offers collaborative programming with other departments such as the clinics to offer students the opportunity to network with alums working in the public sector
- Subscribes to the Government Honors & Internship Handbook for student access
- Hosts a mid-year Mock Interview Program with local public sector employers
- Offers students a comprehensive Public Interest Job Search Guide
- Conducts a Washington, D.C. job fair that offers students an opportunity to apply to government employers
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
Back to top
Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships
Law School Funded:
Criminal Justice Teaching Fellowship – A joint venture between the New York State office of the Attorney General, the Syracuse City School District and the College of Law to support Youth Courts and the “Students against violence initiative” (SAVI) program. CJT Fellows perform tasks necessary to operate the Student Courts in four Syracuse District High Schools. In addition, Fellows are responsible for organizing regular meetings to discuss problems with violence and abuse in their schools with the aim of the students planning strategies to address those problems. Fellowships are only available in the law student’s third year.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Syracuse University Graduate Schools: Syracuse University College of Law students are eligible for several scholarships made available through Syracuse University where public service is a criterion. Such scholarships include the George C. McCrillis Scholarship and the Emil and Maud Beck Family Scholarship. College of Law students have been awarded these scholarships in the past.
Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
SPIN Fellows - All continuing students are eligible to apply for SPIN Fellowships for the Summer. Fellows are required to commit a minimum of 300 hours of service at a public interest agency. Students secure positions across the country and become part of the SPIN network. During the Summer of 2009, SPIN sponsored 14 Summer Fellows. http://www.law.syr.edu/students/GOProgram/Fellowship.aspx
Graduate Student Funded:
The Grant Opportunity Program
The GO Program, which provides summer stipends, is funded through fundraising and Syracuse University College of Law contributions as well as from alumni, foundations and other organizations. (Examples: BarBri, Onondaga County Bar, NYS Prosecutors Association) The numbers vary every year. In 2001, the Law School awarded 26 grants at $2,000 each ($52,000 total). The students raised approximately $17,000 from an auction, a pro bono concert, a luau event and a couple of bake sales. The Law School contribution (Dean's Contribution) was $10,000. For more information, visit http://www.law.syr.edu/careerservices/goprog ram.asp.
Other Funding Sources:
SPIN Fellows - All continuing students are eligible to apply for SPIN Fellowships for the Summer. Fellows are required to commit a minimum of 300 hours of service at a public interest agency. Students secure positions across the country and become part of the SPIN network. This year, SPIN is proud to have 14 Summer Fellows placed worldwide. http://www.law.syr.edu/students/GOProgram/Fellowship.aspx
Equal Justice Works Summer Corps http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/programs/summercorps/general
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
Student Activities http://www.law.syr.edu/students/organizations/index.aspx
Student Public Interest Groups
Syracuse Public Interest Network http://www.law.syr.edu/students/GOProgram/index.aspx
