University of South Carolina School of Law
University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina School of Law
701 South Main Street
Columbia, SC 29208
www.law.sc.edu
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Phyllis BurkhardDirector of Career Services
phyllis@law.law.sc.edu
(803) 777-8479
Pamela D Robinson
Director Pro Bono Program
Robinspd@law.sc.edu
(803) 777-3405
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Program Characterized by a Referral System with Coordinator
Description of Program
The University of South Carolina Pro Bono Program, established in 1989, strives to engage all students in one or more pro bono opportunities. It is run by a faculty Director who is assisted by a Student Advisory Board. Duties of the board members include: recruiting fellow students, serving as a sounding board, bringing new ideas and projects to the attention of the Director, serving as a representative of the Pro Bono Program on various law school and Bar committees, and being spokespeople for the Program.The Program publishes informational brochures and a newsletter, works closely with the South Carolina Bar, and holds fundraisers. A special effort is made to have available short-term projects for the summer. http://www.law.sc.edu/probono/
Location of Program
Stand-Alone Program. http://www.law.sc.edu/probono/
Staffing/Management/Oversight
A full time Director and a volunteer Student Advisory Board
Funding
The Program is funded by an IOLTA grant from the SC Bar Founation. The annual budget is $70,000
The Law School provides pro bono group projects with office space and a telephone.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Pro Bono Program- CASA – Volunteers are appointed to appear in Family Court on behalf of children in abuse and neglect cases. Working with the Richland County GAL Project, students act as unbiased representatives for the child; conduct confidential investigations; assist in preparing a plan of action; with the aid of the child's attorney see that all pertinent information is heard by the court; help coordinate suitable social services and ensure educational continuity. Pro Bono Program- Juvenile Arbitration – Permits the first time offender to purge their record from the system by completing a set of requirements set forth by a volunteer arbitrator. Law Students serve as arbitrators conducting hearings for juveniles and monitor their progress in meeting the requirements set forth in the arbitration. Usually assigned one case at a time requiring approximately a total of 8 hours.
Pro Bono Program- Project Ayuda – Volunteers translate documents and provide information in Spanish to the immigrant community regarding access to legal services.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) – Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service to help older, handicapped, non-English speaking and other taxpayers for whom professional tax assistance may be out of reach. Volunteers assist with basic tax returns. A tax coordinator is available to handle questions and difficult returns.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
Awards/Recognition
An annual picnic awarding academic and service awards to students and faculty. 10 Outstanding Student Pro Bono Awards are presented and 1 Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year. In addition many of the awards have a pro bono factor in their criteria.Individual letters of recognition sent to parents or significant persons upon graduation; external and internal law school and University publications; personal notes of thanks sent during the year upon completion of signifant events or activity.
Community Service
The Pro Bono Program promotes and conducts a number of community service projects. These projects include: tutoring at a local elementary school, twice annual food drives, collection of personal care products for local shelters, Halloween Carnival for local area at risk children, and Thanksgiving Dinner at a transitional housing complex for homeless families.
Law School Public Interest Programs
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Contact Information
Pamela D RobinsonDirector of Pro Bono Program
Robinspd@law.sc.edu
(803) 777-3405
Pro Bono Program
Phyllis Burkhard
Director of Career Services
phyllis@law.law.sc.edu
(803) 777-8479
Career Services
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
None.
Public Interest Centers
None.
Public Interest Clinics
Criminal Practice – This clinic will afford participating students an opportunity to gain first-hand, closely supervised training and experience in the representation of real clients and the practice of the arts/skills of litigation planning, client counseling, fact development, negotiation and courtroom advocacy.Environmental Advocacy – This course explores and develops practical advocacy skills in the area of environmental representation. Topics include:case planning; administrative, legislative, and litigation practice; policy development; settlement, negotiation; remedies; ethical consideration and effective communication between lawyers and environmental scientists, engineers, and othe professionals.
Federal Litigation – Students will represent clients in cases presenting problems in civil Federal litigation. the casework will focus on problems of pleading, discovery, and motion practice in the Federal Courts.
Juvenile Justice – This clinic will afford participating students an opportunity to gain first-hand, closely supervised traing and experience in the representation of real clients and the practice of the arts/skills of litigation planning, client counseling, fact development, negotiating, and courtroom advocacy.
Externships/Internships
Judicial InternshipFamily Law Internship
Classes with a Public Service Component
None.
Public Interest Journals
None.
Public Interest Career Assistance
The USC Law School Career Services Office provides significant support to these students including a series of workshops devoted to public interest careers, resumes, fellowships, and job-searches. Individual counseling is also offered.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
For a description see: http://www.law.sc.edu/loanforgiveness/
Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Sources:
None.
Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Sources:
A $1,000 fellowship is annually distributed to a deserving, rising 3L.
Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
None.
Graduate Student Funded:
None.
Other Funding Sources:
Funds raised by James Petigru Public Interest Law Society efforts. Fellowships ranging between $1,000-2,000 are annually distributed to rising 2L and 3L students. Typically, six are distributed per year.
Funds from a grant from the SC Bar Foundation- IOLTA funds. See www.scbar.org
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
Public Interest Speaker Series – PILS sponsors a speaker series that brings local public interest lawyers to campus to speak to students once or twice a month.
Student Public Interest Groups
James L. Petigru Public Interest Law SocietyWomen in Law
