Northern Illinois University College of Law
Northern Illinois University
Northern
Illinois University College of Law
270 Swen Parson Hall
DeKalb, IL
60115
law.niu.edu
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
David TaylorProfessor
dtaylor@niu.edu
(815) 753-0560
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Pro Bono Program Characterized by a Referral System with a Coordinator
Description of Program
The Pro Bono Service Opportunities program is in recognition of the commitment the College of Law has to encourage pro bono publico legal services. Pro bono services is defined as work done for the benefit of underserved populations by public agencies, public interest or pro bono organizations or charitable or other nonprofit groups or corporations. In this voluntary program, students who successfully complete a cumulative 60 hours of approved pro bono service will receive a notation on their transript. Pro bono service includes only voluntary, uncompensated work for which academic credit is not received.
Location of Program
The Office of Career Opportunities and Development.
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The Pro Bono Service Opportunities program is monitored by Professor David Taylor.
Funding
The Pro Bono Service Opportunities program is funded within the budget
of the Office of Career Opportunities and Development.
The Public Interest Law Society is provided administrative support by the Office of Career Opportunities and Development.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Amnesty International– Raises awareness about human rights by bringing speakers to campus, hosting discussions & debates, and organizing petition drives.Innocence Project – Assists prisoners who are currently serving prison sentences or awaiting execution for crimes they did not commit.
Public Interest Law Society – PILS fosters awareness of public interest opoprtunities and raises money for summer stipends.
Street Law – Student organization committed to reaching out to the local community to educate teenagers about their legal rights.
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
Awards/Recognition
The following graduation awards recognize service to the public interest: The Clover Family Award (highest number of volunteer hours), The Marla Dickerson Award (strongest commitment to public interest law), the Edward F. Diedrich Award (commitment to protecting civil rights of underprivileged), and the Thurgood Marshall Award (commitment to equal justice).In the Pro Bono Service Opportunities Program, students who successfully complete a cumulative 60 hours of approved pro bono service will receive a notation on their transcript.
Community Service
Law School Public Interest Programs
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Contact Information
Greg C. AndersonDirector of Career Opportunities and Development
ganderson@niu.edu
(815) 753-9604
LeRoy Pernell
Dean
lpernell@niu.edu
(815) 753-1830
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Pro Bono Service Opportunities Program: In this voluntary program, students who successfully complete a
cumulative 60 hours of approved pro bono service will receive a notation on their transcript.
Public Interest Centers
N/A
Public Interest Clinics
Appellate Defender Clinic Criminal Defense Clinic
Domestic Abuse Clinic
Elder Law Clinic
Mediation Clinic
Public Interest Litigation
Externships/Internships
Externship Program. Students spend approximately 12 to 15 hours per week practicing in regional criminal courts under the supervision of prosecutors or public defenders or practicing civil law under the supervision of regional legal services lawyers. The classroom component of the course will focus on skills development, mastery of the law required for effective representation, issues of professional responsiblity, and student presentations based on field work experiences.Judicial Externship Program. Students spend 12 to 15 hours per week clerking for a state or federal judge. Clerkship duties include legal research and writing of memoranda and orders in cases coming before the supervising judge. In addition, students have the opportunity to observe various judicial proceedings.
Appellate Defender Clinic. Students spend approximately 12 hours per week clerking in the office of the Illinois Appellate Defender. Clerkship involves legal reserach and writing of briefs, memoranda, and motions in criminal appellate cases under the supervision of staff attorneys. In addition, students have the opportunity to observe oral arguments.
Classes with a Public Service Component
None.
Public Interest Journals
None
Public Interest Career Assistance
The Office of Career Opportunities and Development provides information and programs for students interested in public interest careers.NIU College of Law is a member of the Chicago Area Law School Consortium. The Consortium presents several interview programs or job forums throughout the school year. Several of these focus on public interest careers.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
A program is under development. PILS (the student Equal Justice Works chapter), with the
assistance of the Dean and the Director of Career Opportunities and Development, is currently conducting a
survey of the last five graduating classes to obtain information regarding debt totals and its impact on
career selections.
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:
The PILS chapter holds an annual auction to raise funds for summer stipends for students who accept positions in the public sector. The amount and number of stipends depends on the total amount raised and the number of applications.
Graduate Student Funded:
Other Funding Sources:
The PILS chapter holds an annual auction to raise funds for summer stipends for students who accept positions in the public sector. The amount and number of stipends depends on the total amount raised and the number of applications.
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
A number of brown-bag luncheons featuring speakers are offered throughout the school year. These luncheons are sponsored by various student organizations as well as the law school.
Student Public Interest Groups
Public Interest Law Society - Marla Dickerson Chapter (Equal Justice Works chapter)
Amnesty International– Raises awareness about human rights by bringing speakers to campus, hosting discussions & debates, and organizing petition drives Innocence Project – Assist prisoners who are currently serving prison sentences or awaiting execution for crimes they did not commit.
Public Interest Law Society – Fosters awareness of public interest opportunities and raises money for summer stipends.
Street Law– Student organization committed to reaching to the local community to educate teenagers about their legal rights
