Pro Bono Requirement and Program

To qualify for Columbia Law School credit, pro bono projects must be:

• Law-related: The project requires knowledge of the law for completion.
• Supervised by an attorney (either directly or indirectly): The supervisor will sign off on the final work product (and/or a Student-Initiated Petition, if applicable).
• In the public interest: Public interest work includes legal services to those without the financial resources to pay counsel as well as services aimed at securing or protecting civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights; or improving the legal profession, the judicial system, or the public's understanding of public interest law. 
• Uncompensated: Students may not receive any form of financial remuneration (salary, stipend, or grant) or academic credit (writing or other) for their work.
• Completed after 1L year and before March 1 of the 3L year Completed after 1L year and before March 1 of the 3L year (with the exception of Spring Break Caravans for 3Ls or preregistered spring break projects for 3Ls.  If you are a 1L and plan on attending a caravan, note that the work may count towards the New York State pro bono requirement but will not count towards the Columbia mandatory pro bono graduation requirement. To count towards Columbia’s requirement, work must be completed after the first year of law school and before March 1 of the third year).

If you are unsure if your work counts, contact SJI at [email protected] prior to starting your work.

Most students fulfill their pro bono projects through established pro bono placements (which do not need a Student-Initiated Petition), including:

• Columbia Law School’s In-House Pro Bono projects, including student-run and firm collaborations or the Sidley Austin LLP Spring Break Caravans.
• Additional, uncompensated weeks worked at a Columbia Summer Funding or Human Rights Internship Program summer placement.
• Uncompensated, non-credit-bearing, law-related work at: 
  • Legal services, legal aid, or advocacy 501(c)(3) organizations 
  • Public defender offices (such as American Civil Liberties Union, Legal Aid Society, New York Legal Assistance Group, Legal Services NYC, Bronx Defenders, AALDEF, etc.)
  • Government agencies and offices (at the local, state, or national level, such as District Attorney’s offices, U.S. Department of Justice, New York City Council, etc.). 

Many are listed on LawNet. If not, a Student-Initiated Petition is required prior to beginning work.

• Work for a judge that is unpaid and not used as the basis of academic credit.

Other placements that may qualify for pro bono credit with the preapproval of a Student-Initiated Petition include:

• A law firm’s pro bono, public interest work, for which the firm is not compensated (must occur during a week in which the student is not being paid for their work).
• Columbia Law School clinics during a semester in which the student is not enrolled in the clinic.
• Columbia Law School externship placements (including the D.C. and Judicial Externships) during a semester in which the student is not enrolled in the externship and/or during weeks beyond the time that a student is required to work for academic credit.
• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose primary purpose may not be legal, as long as the work itself is law-related and supervised by an attorney.

Other ways to find projects:

• Check your email for announcements of project trainings and new pro bono projects from [email protected].
• Join a student organization that focuses on issues or subject areas that are important to you. They work in collaboration with SJI to create pro bono projects.
• Log into Symplicity and click on “Job Postings,” then “CSM Jobs.” Click on “Advanced Search,” select “Pro Bono Opportunities” and "Fall or Spring Internship" under Position Type, then click on Search. 
• PSJD is a global network of more than 120 law schools and more than 12,000 public service organizations that contains information about thousands of domestic and international organizations and pro bono opportunities. Go to PSJD.org and open a free student account to search for projects in a particular practice area or location.
• The New York State Pro Bono Opportunities Guide allows you to search for opportunities in New York City and State and is searchable by county, topic area, and population served.
• Approach your professors to ask for contacts in their field or to see if they need assistance on qualifying pro bono projects.

1. Before you start your work, check if it qualifies. If you are unsure, contact SJI at [email protected].
2. If necessary, file a Student-Initiated Petition. This form is required for pro bono work completed at non-established placements.
3. While you do your work, it may be helpful to track your hours using a template like this.
4. Within 30 days of completing each placement (mandatory or voluntary), a student must complete an exit questionnaire via LawNet and request that the supervising attorney complete a supervisor’s report. To fill out an exit questionnaire, go to “My Services,” select “Pro Bono Status” under SJI, and click “Fill out Exit Questionnaire.” Once you have completed your exit questionnaire, you will receive a prompt to send a supervisor’s report to your supervisor for completion. You may also request a supervisor’s report by clicking on the “Action” button next to the relevant placement and selecting “Request Supervisor’s Report.”

These tips are governed by the formal Guidelines for Pro Bono at Columbia Law School. 

• Uncontested Divorce Project: The Uncontested Divorce Project (“the UDP”) offers law students the opportunity to assist domestic violence victims in their uncontested divorces. Divorcing an abusive spouse can be one of the most liberating moments for a survivor of domestic violence. For many clients, a divorce allows them to reclaim their pre-abuse identity and empowers them by severing their legal and financial ties to their spouse. For more details, visit www.sffmat-ejp.weebly.com/udp.html.
   
• U-Visa Project: Participants represent undocumented low-income victims of domestic violence seeking a path to U.S. citizenship through a petition for U nonimmigrant status. Students are assigned a client and complete the petition application from beginning to end, learning skills such as interviewing and drafting affidavits. This project includes a thorough training curriculum that exposes students to aspects of immigration and family law in New York City. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus but not required.
   
• Courtroom Advocates Project: (CAP) trains students to help survivors of domestic violence obtain orders of protection from Family Court. As a student advocate, you make a real difference for your client, even as early as your first semester of law school. You will help clients draft and file their petitions, accompany them to that day's court appearance, advocate before the judge, educate clients about their legal rights and remedies, and provide them with safety planning and referrals to community resources. This is a fantastic way to obtain experience representing clients, doing meaningful legal work, and obtaining hours that count towards your pro bono requirements. No prior experience is necessary. Knowledge of a foreign language can be helpful but is not required. In order to participate, you must attend a training session. 
   
• Human Trafficking Intervention Court: Columbia students work with Sanctuary for Families attorneys to interview foreign-born individuals with cases before the Human Trafficking Intervention Court in order to identify any trafficking-based or immigration remedies potentially available to them. Spanish, Mandarin, French, and Korean speakers are especially encouraged to apply. 

Volunteer Teaching: Participants spend their Saturday mornings and early afternoons teaching high school students a legal curriculum based on criminal law, constitutional law, and moot court. The knowledge our student-teachers gain in their classroom and extracurricular settings contributes directly to their lesson plans. Prior work with young people through teaching, tutoring or mentoring is preferred, but not required. 

Please note that this project will not satisfy the NYS Bar Pro Bono Requirement.
 

Please note that this project will not satisfy the NYS Bar Pro Bono Requirement.

• Trafficking and Human Rights: The Human Trafficking Legal Center (HT Legal) is a public interest law organization that works with highly skilled pro bono legal representation for human trafficking victims. Students in the capacity as volunteers will be conducting legal research and writing memorandum on human trafficking cases in the Supreme Court and the S.D.N.Y. For example, one of the principal projects that students will be working on is drafting an amicus brief and conducting a public advocacy campaign on the SCOTUS case regarding the Alien Torts Statute and allegations of child trafficking in cocoa farms (Nestlé U.S.A. v. Doe). Additionally, students will have the opportunity to work with trade law and conduct research on the new provision in the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement barring forced labor and allegations of forced labor in Mexico’s agricultural industry. Lastly, interested students will be able to develop a guide on the Tariff Act meant to block imports of goods to the U.S. made with forced labor and translate the guide into multiple languages so that the guide can be given out in the community. The main purpose of this guide is to instruct the community on the parameters of the law regarding human trafficking. 
• Cada Voto Cuenta: LatinoJustice seeks volunteers to work on "Cada Voto Cuenta," a (non-partisan) election protection project to protect Latinx voting rights. Volunteers will focus on four battleground states: FL, GA, NY, PA. LatinoJustice will hold training sessions in the fall to train students on how to be a poll site monitor, what are their rights under the federal Voting Rights Acts, and general voting and election laws. Volunteers are expected to monitor polling sites on election day and conduct community outreach to educate the general public and civil organizations on their voting rights. Bilingual students are highly encouraged to apply. This opportunity is primarily remote and the time commitment is very flexible and adaptable to the volunteer's schedule. 

Debate and Mock Trial Program: CLS students will serve as debate coaches and be paired with 1-2 NYC high school students. Coaches are expected to meet with their students three times per semester. During these meetings, coaches are expected to help their students: work through provided fact patterns and case law, organize written argument outlines, and prepare for oral arguments. These meetings are also generally meant to serve as opportunities for the high school students to develop valuable “soft skills” (e.g. time management, professional communication). Coaches are encouraged to attend their students’ debates at the end of the semester, and are invited to serve as judges for other students. CLS participants can expect to perform somewhere between 5 to 12 hours of pro bono work per semester, depending on their level of preparation and engagement. No previous teaching experience or exposure to Constitutional Law is needed. 

Please note that this project will not satisfy the NYS Bar Pro Bono Requirement. 

• Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH): Students assisting at the Immigration Court Helpdesk will help with intake screenings for individuals who are in removal proceedings, assisting attorneys in determining whether the individuals may be eligible for any form of relief.
• Pro Se Asylum Self-Help Workshop: Students assisting with Catholic Charities' pro se asylum Self-Help Workshop will help asylum applicants complete and prepare their application for review by a Catholic Charities attorney. Students will need to interact with and interview clients. Prior experience with immigration or asylum is helpful, but not required. Knowledge of other languages, especially Spanish or French, is very helpful, but not required. 

Suspension Representation Project (SRP): is a pro bono project in which law students represent New York City public school students at their suspension hearings. SRP’s mission is to safeguard the right to public education and due process by providing high-quality advocacy services to New York City public school students facing Superintendent’s suspensions, which can range from ten days to a full year. SRP advocates develop meaningful legal skills—including interviewing clients and conducting direct- and cross-examinations—and SRP’s clients gain valuable assistance and support. This project is ideal for students who are looking for practical litigation experience and who are interested in youth, education, or school-to-prison pipeline issues. New advocates must register for and attend a virtual trainings, after which they will receive a weekly availability survey to volunteer for cases. Students with Spanish language skills are especially encouraged to sign up. 

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Name Change Project: provides TGNCNB (transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary) community members with pro bono/free legal representation during the name change process. Students work with attorneys at TLDEF and Sullivan & Cromwell to help TGNCNB people change their names to match their preferred gender. 

AALDEF Exit Poll and Poll Monitoring Project: Exit Poll volunteers are needed to conduct a nonpartisan, multilingual exit poll to get a snapshot of Asian American candidate preferences, party enrollment, and issues of significance to Asian American voters. AALDEF has conducted exit polls of Asian American voters and monitored polls in every major election since 1988. Through our efforts over the past 34 years, we have been able to advocate and expand language access for Limited English Proficient speakers under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act and make sure no one is treated unfairly or turned away on Election Day.

The Alliance of Families for Justice: is a non-profit organization that provides support to incarcerated individuals and their loved ones through legal representation. Attorneys with AFJ represent both those who are incarcerated and their family members on legal issues relating to the conditions of incarceration. The focus of AFJ’s work is on legal issues that affect the rights, concerns and quality of life of incarcerated people and their families. These issues may include a family member denied or banned from visiting their loved one, or allegations made by incarcerated persons of physical abuse by staff members.

The Abortion Decriminalization Project: is seeking volunteers for pro bono hours to create a user's manual for abortion funds. Funds navigate tricky legal issues that can open them up to liability, such as helping minors navigate judicial bypass systems, working with undocumented immigrants, supporting incarcerated pregnant people, and transporting and housing people seeking abortions. This user's guide will help the volunteers who run abortion fund hotlines find the right laws and resources when they need legal support, and indicate when funds need to seek professional legal help. Law student volunteers are expected to contribute at least 10 hours of work. All work can be done remotely. Work product will be reviewed by an attorney with the New York Abortion Access Fund. This project will be housed in If/When/How and we are seeking 1L or 2L students to transition into the role as the pro bono coordinator. Research experience is helpful, but not necessary.

Bankruptcy Assistance Project
Under the direction of Legal Services for New York, students conduct client intake to assess the appropriateness of cases and help clients file bankruptcy petitions. After the training, students are expected to take at least two to three bankruptcy petition cases during the school year, which normally takes 25 to 40 hours.

I performed pro bono service a while ago and never submitted the proper documentation. Can I still get credit for that work?
We cannot guarantee credit for work that is submitted more than 30 days after completion, so we encourage you to keep that deadline in mind. On a case-by-case basis, however, pro bono credit may be documented retroactively. Submit your documentation promptly by completing the exit questionnaire on LawNet so that you still have access to your supervising attorney, and everyone has a fresher memory of the work that you performed.

Who should sign my supervisor’s report to verify the hours that I worked?
Your supervising attorney should submit the supervisor’s report through LawNet. If there is an additional supervisor who is not an attorney but who can verify the number of hours and quality of your work, they can also complete the supervisor’s report.

Can I get pro bono credit for coordinating a student-directed pro bono project?
Yes. Up to two leaders or coordinators of a student-directed pro bono project may receive pro bono credit for their work administering other students’ involvement in that pro bono project. Either the supervising attorney or a student representative authorized by SJI may sign the supervisor's report to verify those students’ hours.

I am doing more hours than required for my clinic or externship. Can I get pro bono credit for those extra hours?
Usually, students are not eligible for pro bono credit in the same semester in which they receive academic or clinical credit for that clinic or externship. You can get pro bono credit for hours performed in relation to a clinic or externship only if you are not currently enrolled in the clinic, or if you submit written confirmation from the professor that the pro bono project is different in kind from the work required to receive academic credit. A Student-Initiated Petition is required to earn pro bono credit for work done through a clinic or externship.

If I participate in a Columbia externship and only claim academic credit for the classroom component, can I get pro bono credit for the hours I spend in the field?
No. Students receive academic credit for both their classroom participation and fieldwork. Classroom and fieldwork are a package deal.

Can I get pro bono credit for my participation in moot court?
No. Like most coursework, student participation in moot court is considered to be a critical component of the Law School’s academic preparation of its students and does not count for pro bono credit.

Can I get pro bono credit for the public interest research project I am completing for a professor?
You can get pro bono credit for research done on a professor’s public interest pro bono work (such as an amicus brief, legislative reform, or legal advice to a nonprofit organization). Research or other assistance with a professor's teaching or scholarship does not earn pro bono credit.

Can I get academic credit for a pro bono internship?
In order to claim pro bono credit for your work at an internship, it must be unpaid and you may not also claim academic credit for the same work. If you wish to earn academic credit for your internship instead of pro bono credit, you must structure it as part of a supervised research project. For more information on using internships towards academic credit, contact Registration Services or speak to an academic advisor in the Dean of Students’ office.

Can I get pro bono credit for service that I perform on a firm’s pro bono case?
You can get credit for work on a firm’s pro bono case if you are not compensated for your work by the firm. During the summer, this means that the pro bono work must be performed during an entire week in which you are not paid. During the academic year when you are paid by the hour, you cannot bill the firm for hours you spend on a pro bono case, and you are encouraged to find a supervising attorney other than the person who is overseeing your paid work. If you wish to receive credit for work with a firm on pro bono cases, you must submit a Student-Initiated Petition before you begin.

Does an uncompensated judicial internship count toward pro bono credit?
Yes. All unpaid judicial internships that are not a part of Columbia’s Judicial Externships will count towards the mandatory pro bono requirement. You can also receive pro bono credit for work done beyond the eight weeks required by the August Intensive Judicial Externship. You must submit a Student-Initiated Petition as well as an exit questionnaire and supervisor’s report to receive credit in connection with the summer externship.

I’ve been working overtime at my Human Rights Internship or Columbia Summer Funding placement. Can I get pro bono credit for those extra hours?
You may not claim pro bono credit for hours worked during the eight- or 10-week period for which you receive a paycheck through CSF or receive a stipend through HRIP. However, you can get pro bono credit for working additional weeks without compensation.

I am splitting my summer work between a firm and a nonprofit organization. Can I get pro bono credit for work done at the nonprofit?
If the total amount of money you make during a 10-week split summer is less than what you would earn as a recipient of Columbia Summer Funding, you will likely be able to claim some pro bono hours. Please contact [email protected] for more details about your specific situation.

I am working at a public interest law firm and am not paid or receiving a stipend from Columbia Law School. Can I get pro bono credit for my work there?
Possibly. You can claim pro bono credit for your work as long as the firm is not being paid by the client and does not count student hours when calculating contingency fees. Before you begin the project, file a Student-Initiated Petition confirming compliance with the rules outlined above. Upon completion of the project, submit an exit questionnaire and a supervisor’s report.

How do I get approval for a placement that is not established by SJI, and what are the qualifications?
In general, the project must follow the Pro Bono Guidelines. A pro bono assignment must be law-related, public interest in nature (for definitions, see section II of the guidelines), uncompensated (no cash, nor credit), and supervised by an attorney. In order to get approval for work with an organization that is not already established, you must file a Student-Initiated Petition for Pro Bono Placement and receive approval before starting the project.

Can I get pro bono credit for my participation in an undergraduate mock trial program?
Credit will only be granted for participation in mock trial programs developed to support disadvantaged students. Examples include organizations like Legal Outreach and generally do not include mock trial programs developed for university or college students.

Can I get pro bono credit for my work teaching law classes at a university or law school?
Students will be granted pro bono credit for teaching students with limited access to financial and/or academic resources. In addition, pro bono credit will be granted to students whose teaching abroad supports the practice of public interest law and improves the legal profession and/or the judicial system in the country in which they are teaching.

Can I get pro bono credit for poll monitoring or legal observing?
In order to get pro bono credit for poll monitoring or legal observing, these activities must use your legal education. Examples include discovery for a voter protection lawsuit or advocacy, developing law-related materials, educating the public about the law, legal research, analysis, and/or case follow-up. If the tasks could be performed by a college student, it does not count for pro bono credit.

Does translating count for pro bono credit?
Pro bono credit is only granted for the translation of legal documents that requires knowledge of the law for completion. If the tasks could be performed by a college student, it does not count for pro bono credit.

I am working in the office of the general counsel of a nonprofit organization. Can I get pro bono credit?
Work at a general counsel's office will qualify for pro bono credit with approval of a Student-Initiated Petition—but only if you are working on a law-related project supervised by an attorney that aims to protect the rights of an individual or individuals in situations raising significant public interest concerns and/or rights belonging to a significant and underrepresented segment of the public. A Student-Initiated Petition should be submitted prior to beginning this work for approval by SJI.

Can I get pro bono credit for volunteering on a political candidate’s campaign?
No. You cannot receive pro bono credit for volunteering for a political campaign because Columbia University is not allowed to endorse or expend resources for political candidates.

What type of work counts towards the New York State (NYS) Bar 50-hour Pro Bono Requirement? 

In general, qualifying pro bono work should: be performed in the service of low-income or disadvantaged individuals who cannot afford counsel and whose unmet legal needs prevent their access to justice; involve the use of legal skills for an organization that qualifies as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3); or involve the use of legal skills for the court system or federal, state, or local government agencies or legislative bodies. 

In addition, it must be law-related, in the public interest, and supervised by an attorney. Also, you can receive academic credit or compensation for otherwise qualifying work and count it towards the NYS Bar 50-hour requirement. Some examples of Law School pro bono work that may qualify are:

• Clinics (in the public interest)

• Externships (in the public interest) 

• In-House Pro Bono Programs sponsored by CLS student organizations, with the exception of projects that are not supervised by an attorney or do not provide legal services

• Legal work completed in connection with a pro bono matter undertaken by a law school faculty member

• Legal work completed for a non-profit organization qualifying as tax-exempt or as a 501(c)3

• Legal work completed for a federal, state, or local government agency or legislative body

• Most Pro bono opportunities circulated in emails from [email protected] 

What forms do I need to complete in order to affirm I completed the requirement? 

Students who have completed qualifying pro bono work that they wish to use towards the NYS Bar 50-hour Pro Bono Requirement should complete the Affidavit of Compliance as soon as they finish their work. The affidavit requires a student's notarized signature and an original signature from their supervisor. 

How do I submit the completed Affidavit of Compliance to the NYS Bar? 

Students must hold on to their affidavit until they are ready to submit their entire application to the NYS Bar for review. This means that you may have to keep the affidavit until after you pass the NYS Bar exam, which may be several months after graduation. However, we recommend that you complete the affidavit as soon as you complete the work to avoid losing contact with your supervisor. 

May I count work done before I started my LL.M. Degree in my home country?

It is possible for LL.M. candidates to count qualifying pro bono service up to one year before the commencement of the LL.M. course of study, including in a non-U.S. jurisdiction. However, keep in mind that all other requirements (those noted above) must be met. 

Where can I find additional information about the NYS 50-hour Requirement?

For more information about the NYS Bar 50-hour Pro Bono Requirement, please visit their FAQs or contact them directly via email at [email protected]. While the Columbia Pro Bono Program may provide you with ideas for how to complete the NYS Bar 50-hour Pro Bono Requirement, our office does not make the final decision on whether work qualifies towards the NYS Bar.  We encourage you to review the rule and FAQs to ensure that your work qualifies.