As a part of Gonzaga University School of Law’s ongoing commitment to public service, a new Pro Bono Distinction was implemented in 2012. This Distinction is awarded to students that provide law-related services for which they do not receive academic credit or pay.
Requirements of the Pro Bono Distinction
Pro bono service is defined as providing law-related services, under the direct supervision of an attorney, for which the student does not receive academic credit or pay (including work-study, grant, fellowship, or scholarship money) to a non-profit organization or government entity; or a lawyer or law firm providing services that comport with Rule 6.1 of the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct, “Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service”; or the Gonzaga Law Moderate Means Program; or Gonzaga’s University Legal Assistance clinic or an externship placement in excess of the work hours required for credit, or an entity that a student works for in compliance with the terms of a grant or scholarship, in excess of the terms of service required for the grant or scholarship, if the work otherwise meets one of the requirements above in paragraph C.1.a.-b.
For all students, public service hours completed in compliance with the Public Service Requirement under Rule 2-7 do not also count as Pro Bono Distinction hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How do I earn Pro Bono Distinction?
Gonzaga University School of Law School will confer Pro Bono Distinction for:- First year students who perform 20 hours of community service from the beginning of 1L Orientation through March 31 of their first year
- Second year students who perform 30 hours of pro bono service from April 1 of their first year through March 31 of their second year. During the 2012-2013 inaugural year, please count service beginning May 14, 2012.
- Third year students who perform 50 hours of pro bono service from April 1 of their second year through March 15 of their third year. During the 2012-2013 inaugural year, please count service beginning May 14, 2012.
Students who earn Pro Bono Distinction for multiple years will receive progressive levels of recognition:
- Silver Pro Bono Distinction for those who earn Pro Bono Distinction for any two years
- Gold Pro Bono Distinction for those who earn Pro Bono Distinction for all three years
- Platinum Pro Bono Distinction for the student who accrues the highest number of pro bono hours during law school
-
What kind of service work qualifies as pro bono?
Gonzaga University School of Law defines pro bono service as providing law-related services, under the direct supervision of an attorney, for which the student does not receive academic credit or pay (including work-study, grant, fellowship, or scholarship money) to:- Non-profit organizations or government entities
- Lawyers or law firms providing services that comport with Rule 6.1 of the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct, “Voluntary Pro Bono Public Service”
- Gonzaga’s Moderate Means Program
- Gonzaga’s University Legal Assistance clinic, in excess of hours required for credit
- Externship placements in excess of hours required for credit
Please contact CLIPS for assistance with identifying specific pro bono opportunities.
-
What is the difference between community service and pro bono service?
Recognizing that law students must focus exclusively on their course of study during the first semester of their first year, the term “pro bono service” is expanded for first year students to include non-legal community service. Non-legal service includes volunteering for a non-profit, charitable, civic or community organization. First year students performing non-legal service do not need to be supervised by an attorney. -
Can I count hours that I perform for Gonzaga’s Public Service graduation requirement toward Pro Bono Distinction?
Public service hours completed in compliance with the Public Service Requirement under Academic Rule 2-7 do not also count as Pro Bono Distinction hours. -
How will I be recognized for earning Pro Bono Distinction?
Students who earn Pro Bono Distinction will receive a Certificate of Recognition from the Law School Dean and a notation on their transcript for each year they earn Distinction. Graduating students who have earned Pro Bono Distinction will be recognized in the May Commencement program, and the graduating student who earns Platinum Pro Bono Distinction will receive an award during the May Commencement ceremony. -
How do I track Pro Bono Distinction hours?
Contact CLIPS for an electronic Pro Bono Distinction tracking spreadsheet to maintain your Pro Bono Distinction service hours. -
How do I report Pro Bono Distinction hours?
Students must submit a Pro Bono Distinction Confirmation form to CLIPS for each site at which they perform pro bono service. A Pro Bono Distinction Confirmation form must include the total number of hours performed at the site and the signature of the student’s supervising attorney. Contact CLIPS for copies of the Pro Bono Distinction Confirmation form. First and second year students must submit completed confirmation forms to CLIPS by March 31 of their respective academic years to earn Pro Bono Distinction. Third year students must submit completed confirmation forms to CLIPS by March 15 of their third year to earn Pro Bono Distinction. -
Who can I contact with additional questions about Pro Bono Distinction?
Please contact CLIPS Assistant Director, Catherine Brown, by phone at (509) 313-3688 or by email.
