University of Nebraska College of Law
University of Nebraska
University of Nebraska College of Law
P.O. Box 830902
Ross McCollum Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583
law.unl.edu
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Tasha Everman
Assistant Dean & Director of Career Services
P.O Box 83092
Lincoln, NE 68583-0902
(402) 472-5130
teverman2@unl.edu
http://law.unl.edu/career
Category Type
Independent Student Pro Bono Group Projects with no school-wide program
Description of Program
Pro Bono Initiative
The Pro Bono Initiative seeks to encourage and recognize volunteer legal service by College of Law students during their second and third years at the College.
To be recognized under the pro bono initiative, pro bono work must be:- Uncompensated - students may not receive either money or academic credit.
- Law-related - the work must involve the application, interpretation, instruction, or other use of the law under the guidance of a supervising attorney.
- In the public interest- including, among other things, service to the indigent, efforts to protect essential rights and liberties, law reform projects, and projects to improve the legal profession or the public's understanding of the law.
In addition to these requirements, pro bono work must be approved by the Dean's office prior to completion to qualify for this initiative. A student seeking recognition under the Pro Bono Initiative must complete the attached Pro Bono Certification Form and submit it to the Dean's Office. A separate form must be used for each pro bono project completed by the student.
- Students completing 50 hours or more of qualified pro bono work during their 2nd and/or 3rd year at the College will receive a Dean's certificate upon graduation.
- Each year at least one student may be recognized for outstanding pro bono service.
Location of Program
Staffing/Management/Oversight
Funding
Secretarial support and funding is provided for student pro bono group projects.
Research assistants and secretarial support is provided for faculty pro bono projects.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program -- VITA students receive training on tax return requirements. They then provide help on filling out federal and state income tax returns at various sites around Lincoln, including retirement homes, community centers, and shopping malls.
Community Legal Education Project (CLEP) -- CLEP coordinates a variety of activities through which the College promotes legal education for non-lawyers. Law students assist elementary, middle and secondary school teachers in helping pupils understand fundamental legal issues, appreciate the legal system, and learn about the law as it affects their daily lives.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
There is no formal faculty pro bono policy. Faculty members supervise VITA and CLEP.
Awards/Recognition
- Students completing 50 hours or more of qualified pro bono work during their 2nd and/or 3rd year at the College will receive a Dean's certificate upon graduation.
- Each year at least one student may be recognized for outstanding pro bono service.
- In addition, service may be considered in determining the "Outstanding Law Student" Award given in the spring.
Community Service
Student organizations sponsor several long-standing, annual community service projects: blood drives, winter clothing for needy children, food bank contributions, donations to rape/spouse abuse center.
Law School Public Interest Programs
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Contact Information
Glenda J. Pierce
402 472-2161
gpierce1@unl.edu
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Students who want to pursue a public interest area of study may work with a faculty member to develop a program of concentrated study in public interest law and receive a certificate of concentrated study at graduation.
Public Interest Centers
None.
Public Interest Clinics
The College of Law offers a Civil In-house Clinic where students, under faculty supervision, represent indigent clients on a wide variety of matters. For more information, contact Professor Kevin Ruser at kruser1@unl.edu.
The Immigration Clinic is a course in which two students per year are permitted to enroll by faculty invitation only. Students enrolling in the Immigration Clinic represent low-income clients with immigration problems under close faculty supervision. Most of the work is in the areas of deportation defense, family-based immigrant visas, VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petitions and asylum applications, although other types of immigration cases may be assigned to students from time to time at the discretion of the supervising faculty member.
Externships/Internships
Students, with the approval of a sponsoring faculty member, may take one to three hours of externship in a public interest area in conjunction with a seminar or research in a selected field.
Classes with a Public Service Component
In the Family Law Practice course, students working in teams of two handle a low income divorce case. For information, contact Professor Alan Fran, afrank2@unl.edu.
Public Interest Journals
None.
Public Interest Career Assistance
Assistant Dean Tasha Everman, Director of Career Services (teverman2@unl.edu) provides career counseling and employment information. A student assistant for public interest careers provides career and employment information.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
Awards available to graduates who work directly with individuals in need of legal services and for a non-profit agency. Award amounts vary depending on number of qualified applicants.
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Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Sources:
None.
Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Sources:
None.
Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Sources:
NFCPI (Nebraska Fund for Clerkships in the Public Interest): Summer fellowships are funded through donations by faculty, staff, attorneys, a percentage of Bar/Bri sales and by the Women’s Law Caucus annual charity auction. The number of awards varies each year, with usually four to six awarded. The total amount awarded for summer public interest clerkships is usually $10,000 -$12,000.
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
Career services sponsors public interest speakers and workshops.
Student Public Interest Groups
Equal Justice Society
Nebraska Fund for Clerkships in the Public Interest
