Pro Bono and Public Interest

One of the most important obligations of the legal profession is to perform voluntary pro bono publico service (work for the public good).  The American Bar Association has stated that "[e]very lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay" (ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 6.1). There is an enormous need for pro bono work, as it is estimated that more than 80% of the legal needs of persons with limited means are currently unmet in the U.S.

Pro bono service provides law students with the opportunity to address unmet legal needs in the community and beyond while enriching their own legal education. Faculty and students at the University of Connecticut School of Law provide a variety of legal services to persons of limited means, organizations that assist such persons, and other government and not-for-profit organizations. Various student organizations sponsor pro bono projects and at least one—the Connecticut Unemployment Action Center—is devoted entirely to pro bono work. Students may also work with alumni or faculty who are engaged in pro bono projects or volunteer to work directly with not-for-profit organizations that provide direct services to clients or engage in advocacy work.

There are also many for-credit opportunities to perform legal work for under-served populations. These include the Asylum Clinic, the Criminal Clinics, the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, the Center for Children's Advocacy, the Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative, and several externship clinics. Students who wish to design an externship experience that will provide legal work to individuals of limited means should contact Jennifer Mailly, the Externship Coordinator, at 570-5080.

Students can become involved in pro bono projects as early as their first year of law school. Students who wish to form an organization to perform pro bono work, who would like to work directly with a faculty member or lawyer on a pro bono project, or who require other assistance in finding pro bono opportunities should contact  Professor Timothy Everett  or Professor Margaret Martin, the Faculty Pro Bono Coordinators. Members of the public who are seeking legal assistance should read the important disclaimer below.

Pro Bono and Public Interest Events, Opportunities, and Deadlines

Organizations seeking pro bono assistance

• Connecticut Association for Human Services Contact Tracy Helin
• Connecticut Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Contact John Jepson, Esq.
• Connecticut Consortium for Law & Citizenship Education Contact Beth DeLuco, Esq.
• Connecticut Fair Housing Center Contact Greg Kirschner, Esq.
• Connecticut Health, Housing and Benefits Pro Bono Project Contact Professor Jay Sicklick
• Connecticut Voices for Children Contact Sharon Langer, Esq. (860) 548-1661
• Connecticut Women's Education & Legal Fund Contact Amy Miller, MSW
• Disaster Accontability Project
• Lawyers For Children America Contact Priscilla Pappadia, Executive Director
• Love Makes a Family of Connecticut Contact Carol Buckheit, Associate Director
• Lawyers Without Borders Contact Luvean Myers, Esq.
• People Advocating Therapeutic Homes Contact Professor Robert Whitman
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Contact Professor Diana Leyden or Laura O'Keefe

More Resources

• ABA State Directory of Pro Bono Programs
• ACS ResearchLink
• Equal Justice Works
• National Center for State Courts Legal Services/Pro Bono Resource Guide
• Pro BonoNet