Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
Faulkner University
Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
5345 Atlanta Highway
Montgomery, AL 36109
www.faulkner.edu/law
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Ms. Christina JacksonDirector of Career Services
(334) 386-7493
cjackson@faulkner.edu
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Pro Bono Program Characterized by a Referral System with Coordinator(s)
Description of Program
As part of a Christian university, the law school seeks not only to provide the legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to produce competent and ethical members of the legal community, but also to instill in our students an attitude of service. This commitment to serve those who otherwise could not afford such assistance complements the legal profession's rich tradition of service.
Students are encouraged to think about ways to provide pro bono services. The law school provides opportunities through its clinics for students to begin their career of service while using the practical skills obtained in their law school courses.
The Career Services Office spearheads the focus on public service by posting notices of pro bono opportunities and sponsoring speakers on various public interest topics. The law school subscribes to a database service that highlights pro bono and public interest opportunities.
Students who perform 35 hours of pro bono or community service per year receive a certificate signed by the Dean recognizing such achievement, and a notation of service will be included on the student's transcript. In addition, graduates who complete 50 or more hours will be recognized in the graduation program. Finally, a Public Interest Service Award will be presented at graduation ceremonies to the graduating student who has most distinguished himself or herself in the area of public service.
Location of Program
The Career Services Office administers the programs with assistance and input of faculty and staff.
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The Career Services Director and her staff manage the programs, with oversight and input by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Clinical Services Committee, the Clinical Director, and faculty.
Funding
Funding is provided in the law school's annual operating budget as well as special grants for clinics.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Each student organization at the law school has a service project for the school year.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
Awards/Recognition
Students who perform 35 hours of pro bono service during the year are given a certificate of service at the end of the year and a notation is placed on their transcripts. In addition, a student who has performed 50 hours of service during law school will be recognized in the graduation program. Finally, an outstanding student will be recognized with the Public Interest Award at graduation.
Students who complete at least 50 hours of service during the academic year are eligible to be nominated for the Alabama State Bar's Public Service Award.
Community Service
Each year, the students, faculty, and staff participate in a Public Service Day held at the beginning of the Fall semester. This project focuses on service to the community and fellowship among the law school family. Additionally, each student organization adopts a service project for the year. Upper class students participate in a teen court initiative in which they act as prosecutors or defense counsel for teenaged offenders. Students at all levels participate in a variety of pro bono volunteer partnership opportunities with community groups and legal service providers. Students may also create alternative projects as the law school seeks to expand its community service opportunities.
Law School Public Interest Programs
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Contact Information
Ms. Christina JacksonDirector of Career Services
334.386.7493
cjackson@faulkner.edu
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Public Interest Centers
Public Interest Clinics
The law school sponsors a Mediation Clinic where students provide hands-on mediation services to litigants in the district court. The law school also offers a Family Violence Clinic where students interview, advise and represent clients in court when necessary and an Elder Law Clinic where students provide legal counsel to low-income, elderly clients with diverse legal needs. All student work is performed under the direction of a clinical professor.
Externships/Internships
The Law School's externship program affords students the opportunity to work and learn in governmental, judicial, public service and public interest law offices. Externs may locate their own placement or select from a wide variety of governmental agencies, judges at every level in the state, prosecutors, public defenders or public interest firms like Legal Services Alabama, Alabama Appleseed and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Classes with a Public Service Component
Public Interest Journals
Public Interest Career Assistance
The Career Services Office provides specialized counseling and programming for students considering public interest careers. The Office also maintains an active list of public interest career opportunities and posts public interest job openings. The Office also provides students with access to multiple online and paper resources to assist public interest job seekers.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
During New Student Orientation, the Director of Career Services introduces students to the Public Interest Program. In addition, the Career Services Office sponsors a series of career-option seminars that includes a public interest component. Students are encouraged to participate in the volunteer partnerships the school has formed with local advocacy, policy, and community groups and to incorporate those experiences into class discussions and assignments.
Student Public Interest Groups
All student organizations adopt a public service goal for the year, such as collecting items to donate to the local women's shelter, or to assist in disaster situations such as Hurricane Katrina.
The law school is a member of Equal Justice Works.
