UVA Law Students Set Record for Pro Bono Hours
From the Daily Progress:
Students at the University of Virginia School of Law volunteered a record number of hours of pro bono work over winter recess. More than 200 students donated their time and legal services, logging about 10,000 hours in less than a month.
“We are absolutely thrilled. This was a record number of participants,” said Kimberly Emery, assistant dean for pro bono and public interest. The previous record was set over the 2010-11 winter break when 177 students logged more than 8,000 pro bono hours. . . .
For students, legal volunteer work is a way to put what they have learned in the classroom into practice. . . .
Emery said that pro bono work is especially beneficial for students just beginning law school.
“For the first-years it’s an opportunity for them to try out for two weeks a type of legal practice before they commit to a whole summer of it,” she said.
Reser agreed, adding that her pro bono provided “extra reassurance” that she made the right decision enrolling in law school.
“I’m definitely more looking forward to actually getting out and starting work,” Reser said. She has plans to work with a law firm this summer. . . .
“Everybody in the community benefits when legal issues can be addressed properly through the court system,” she said. “Especially in today’s economic climate, there are many individuals who can’t access the courts without the aid of a pro bono attorney.”