Howard University School of Law
Howard University
Howard University School of Law
2900 Van Ness Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
www.law.howard.edu
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Pro Bono Program Characterized by a Referral System with Coordinator
Description of Program
The Equal Justice Program (EJP), started in 1995, provides "unique opportunities for law students to engage in legal research and writing, critical analysis, public education, legislative advocacy, and litigation support regarding the myriad of problems facing society today." Pro bono placements/opportunities are promoted and facilitated through the Equal Justice Program brochure, bulletin boards, email, and internet services.
Location of Program
Howard Law's pro bono program is called The Equal Justice Program. It is a free-standing program but is housed in the Clinical Law Center.
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The Director is employed full-time as Director. Students assist in the operation of aspects of the program, serving as student coordinators of the various projects.
Funding
The EJP funded through the law school. There is no separate budget for the program.
Many of the student organizations have office space, computers, and funding through the Student Bar Association. They do not have any formal secretarial support.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Clemency Project -- Working with representatives from other law schools, students assist in formulating a strategy for clemency for "sixties" era political prisoners in the U.S. Two of the prisoners were granted clemency by President Clinton at the end of December.
Free Legal Advice Clinic -- Students volunteer one Saturday a month helping to provide client intake at the DC Bar's walk-in Advice and Referral Clinics in NW and SE. Students may also sit in with individual lawyers as they assist clients in various areas of poverty law.
Equal Justice in Entertainment Law -- Students work on issues confronting disparity and advancing equal justice in the entertainment, sports and telecommunications law field, interacting with groups such as the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, National Bar Association Entertainment Law Section, National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters, International Association of African American Music, and the Black Entertainment and Telecommunications Association.
Environmental Justice Project -- Students assist the National Black Environmental and Economic Justice Coordinating Council with its national campaign to insure equal environmental protection for people victimized by environmental hazards. Students also assist in the monitoring of civil rights complaints filed by communities of color and provide legal assistance in support of these complaints.
Innocence Project -- A collaboration with area attorneys and law schools, the Project addresses issues of innocence in the death penalty. Students will engage in fact investigation, interviewing, and legal research/writing, with the goal of bringing justice to the wrongfully convicted.
Reparations Litigation and Legislative Project -- Students work with the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, assisting with legal research and writing in support of reparations litigation and legislation.
Community Public Education Seminars, "For Your Legal Health" - EJP coordinates community public education seminars to educate the community on various issues, including employment discrimination, estate planning (wills, trusts & estates), juvenile justice, child support, bankruptcy, worker's compensation, and name change. Local attorneys conduct the sessions with student assistance and involvement.
Legal Observer Program - Law students serve as legal observers for demonstrations common to the Nation's Capitol. Students have served as legal observers for the Million Man March, D.C. Statehood Demonstrations, Jericho March, Nat'l Mobilization Against Police Brutality, NAACP Supreme Court Rally, and Mumia Demonstration.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program - Students participate with VITA, a product of the ABA and IRS, which assists low-income taxpayers, the elderly & disabled.
Street Law Project -- Students teach pre-adjudicated youth at DC Superior Court on Saturdays as part of the Street Law, Inc. "Save Our Streets" Law Program, which targets 13-17 year olds charged with weapon offenses who have been referred to the Program by the Court. As part of the curriculum, HUSL students also impart problem-solving, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
Eastern High School Project -- Students serve as mentors and guest instructors to Eastern's Law and Legal Services Academy, exposing the youth to the Howard Law School environment through shadowing and participation in selected law school events.
Exposing Legal Education (ELE) Program -- Students designed this comprehensive, half-day program to expose DC youth to the opportunities of a legal education. ELE consists of student presentations, a mock class or presentation on a specific legal topic by a faculty member, and a tour of the law school and library.
New pro bono group projects can be formed through the Equal Justice Program upon student initiative.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
Faculty members are always encouraged to engage in law-related pro bono service. It is one of the factors evaluated in the consideration of tenure, promotion and merit pay.
Faculty members serve as advisors to student organizations, many of whom engage in pro bono projects.
Awards/Recognition
At the annual Law School Academic Awards Ceremony, the Equal Justice Program awards Certificates of Service to students for their tireless community outreach, civil/human rights, and pro bono/public service work with EJP initiatives. These certificates are awarded to all students who participated in one of the programs or projects of the EJP (excluding the Externship Program). In addition, one Equal Justice Program Award is presented to an outstanding student in the Equal Justice Program.
The Law School's Warren Rosmarian Award recognizes excellence in teaching and service.
Community Service
Law School Public Interest Programs
Back to top
Contact Information
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Public Interest Centers
The Equal Justice Program oversees the law school's public interest programs and provides opportunities for law students to be engaged in community outreach and civil and human rights projects. The program is funded as part of the Clinical Law Center.
Public Interest Clinics
Criminal Justice Clinic
Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic
Externships/Internships
Howard offers externships for credit in the public interest, legal services, and governmental/administrative agencies, as well as the judiciary.
Classes with a Public Service Component
Howard Law's Labor Law and Equal Employment Opportunity Classes, both taught by Professor Christi Cunningham, have public service extra credit options. Students may volunteer service to the D.C. Workers' Rights Clinic for extra credit. For more information, contact Professor Cunningham, 202/806-8034 or ccunningham@law.howard.edu.
Public Interest Journals
The Howard Scroll Social Justice Law Review is the Law School's journal dedicated to public interest research and writing.
Public Interest Career Assistance
The Director of the Equal Justice Program serves as a public interest counselor for the law students (Nkechi Taifa, 202/ 806-8119), in addition to the Director of Career Services (Luellen Conti, 202/806-8135).
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
Howard Law does not have a loan repayment or forgiveness program.
Post-Graduate Fellowships/Awards
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Howard Law has no in-house post-graduate fellowships or awards.
Term Time Fellowships/Scholarships
Law School Funded:
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
Summer Fellowships
Law School Funded:
Howard awards three summer fellowships/stipends, which are funded through the Dean's office.
Graduate Student Funded:
This varies, depending on fundraising.
Other Funding Sources:
Periodically, entities will partner with Howard Law and provide stipends for public interest work during the summer.
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
- Dean's Lecture Series
- Numerous brown-bag programs
- Special Conferences
Student Public Interest Groups
- HPILS (Howard Public Interest Law Society)
- Black Law Students Association
- Student Bar Association
- Sports and Entertainment Law Association
- International Law Society
- La Alianza
- OUTLAW
- ACLU chapter
- The Barrister
- Epsilon Sigma Iota
- Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity
- Phi Delta Phi Fraternity
Last updated: 4/23/2003
