Preferably, program participation starts at the beginning of each semester. As a second-year student, John Paul Berlon, Class of 2000, founded Horizon House Alliance, a group of law school students who volunteer their time to help Horizon House, a service center and day shelter for the homeless. Although the law school requires students who want notations on their transcripts to volunteer a total of 50 hours of pro bono service, John Paul clocked more than 450 hours. An award named after him recognizes law students who exhibit a similar dedication to public service. If you want to pursue an opportunity not on the list, you must have the placement approved prior to beginning work in order to ensure proper recognition.
Students receive recognition for program participation in various ways.
Students are eligible to receive a Pro Bono Program notation on their transcript if 50 hours of pro bono work are completed during the course of their law school career. Once approval of the 50 hours has been given, the recorder's office will request the notation to be placed on the student's transcript. The Hours Log must be turned in by December 1 for the fall semester and April 1 for the spring semester. A certificate will also be given at the conclusion of each semester to those students who participated in the program. The law school also will recognize program participants who achieved 50 or more hours of service during their law school careers by listing their names in the graduation program.