University of Cincinnati Law Spotlights Clinical Opportunities During National Pro Bono Week

Topics:
  • Pro Bono Program/Legal Services Organization

In celebration of National Pro Bono Week, UC Law's Public Interest Law Group (PILG) is giving current students a behind-the-scenes look at three of the College of Law's clinical pro bono opportunities.

Scheduled for October 25 through 31, 2009, and sponsored by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, National Pro Bono Week is a coordinated national effort to showcase the great difference that pro bono lawyers make to the nation, its system of justice, its communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve. The week is also dedicated to the quest for more pro bono volunteers to meet the ever-growing legal needs of this country's most vulnerable citizens.

During the week, UC Law will provide interested first and second year students the chance to shadow upper level students and pro bono lawyers working with three of the College of Law's clinical experiences: the Ohio Innocence Project, Legal Aid Domestic Violence Clinic, and Indigent Defense Clinic.

Students who participate will get an inside look at domestic relations court proceedings and learn how the DV clinic assists victims and provides representation in civil protection order hearings. Or, they'll get to hear lawyers and students with the Ohio Innocence Project evaluate individual cases of wrongful conviction and see how they construct arguments for exoneration. Students who sign up for the Indigent Defense Clinic experience will observe third year students utilize their limited practice licenses representing indigent clients in felony and misdemeanor charges in Hamilton County Courts.

In addition, on Wednesday October 28th, PILG will also host its annual Summer Public Interest Fellows (SPIF) dinner, recognizing some of the over 80+ students who accepted unpaid opportunities in the public sector this past summer as SPIF recipients. This event is open to interested first and second year students considering careers in public interest and government law.