Samford University Cumberland School of Law
Samford University
Cumberland School of Law
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
www.samford.edu/schools/law/
Law School Pro Bono Programs
Contact Information
James Lewis Vice Dean
(205) 726-2887
Jeffrey Price
Director of Career Services
jbprice@samford.edu
Cassandra Adams
Category Type
Formal Voluntary Pro Bono Program Characterized by a Referral System with Coordinator
Description of Program
The pro bono program began in 2001 as a student run organization, Public Interest Law Organization (PILO), with a faculty advisor. The Student Coordinator assigns placements for receptive organizations based on the need of the organization and the aptitude of the participating students. Other students help create interest in other students. Students are asked to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours at approved placements. Less commitment is expected for VITA. Written evaluation is provided by the student and the organization. Students are encouraged to volunteer during the Christmas holiday break, Spring Break and summer. PILO organizes public interest speakers and events.
Since April 1, 2002, the pro bono program has come under the auspices of the Assistant Dean for Student Services and Public Interest Director. Part of the function of this new position is to offer assistance and leadership with student pro bono projects and other public interest programs.
Location of Program
Office of Student Services
Staffing/Management/Oversight
The only paid staff with responsibility over the pro bono program is the Assistant Dean and Director, Student Services and Public Interest Project.
Students are involved deeply with the running of the program. Professor Snoe remains an advisor.
Funding
PILO has no direct funding, though the law school pays for copies and other incidental costs.
Faculty involved in pro bono projects receive administrative support as needed.
Student Run Pro Bono Groups/Specialized Law Education Projects
Street Law - Law student volunteers each semester receive special training in practical law for youth, pair with a local teacher, and meet with that teacher's students one hour a week for six weeks. Topics covered include "Juvenile Rights & Responsibilities, "Who is a Juvenile," "Guns & Violence," Alcohol & Drugs," etc. Priority is given to schools and alternative settings working with "at risk" youth.
Volunteers In Tax Assistance (VITA)
Faculty and Administrative Pro Bono
There is no formal faculty pro bono policy. The PILO faculty advisor, Professor Joseph Snoe, is actively involved in the pro bono project.
Awards/Recognition
Students satisfactorily completing 50 hours of pro bono law-related public interest service in a professional manner while a student at Cumberland School of Law are awarded a certificate recognizing their contribution by Dean John Carroll. Hours worked at qualified public interest organizations designated by the Cumberland PILO organization qualify. Other pro bono law-related public service may count if approved in advance by the PILO coordinator and the faculty advisor. To count toward the 50 hour public service requirement, the student may not receive credit or compensation for the service.
Community Service
The SBA and other student organizations initiate community service projects. Annual projects include: Habitat for Humanity, a "Homeless Clothing" drive, a "Canned Food" drive and a "Reading Program" for Children's Hospital.
Law School Public Interest Programs
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Contact Information
James LewisVice Dean
jnlewis@samford.edu
(205) 726-2887
Jeffrey Price
Director of Career Services
jbprice@samford.edu
Certificate/Curriculum Programs
Cumberland School of Law does not have a certificate (specialization) or curriculum tract for public interest studies.
Public Interest Centers
None.
Public Interest Clinics
None.
Externships/Internships
Cumberland's Experiential Learning Program
This program provides opportunities for students to work in designated field placements under qualified and respected supervisors for academic credit. These placements provide students an opportunity to develop practical lawyering skills, gain knowledge about specialized practice areas, gain a perspective on the law in application, sample different career paths, and make career connections. The program includes a variety of three credit externship placements with government agencies, federal judges, and corporations. Students may receive credit for no more than two placements (including any one credit judicial observation placement).
Judicial Observation
Students sign up to work within the office of a state court judge. Students are required to work a minimum of 56 hours and submit the following written work: a statement of goals at the beginning of the semester; a weekly report of hours with narrative description of activities; submission of a research paper; and a reflection essay. Participating students receive one hour pass/fail credit.
Externship I
Students enrolled in any externship must also enroll in this class component. This externship class meets one hour each week. This class will address some substantive topics; negotiation, trial, and other lawyering skills; professionalism and ethical issues; communication with supervisors, clients and others; workplace problems; and other issues applicable to all externs. Some classes will have break out sessions to address specific topics relevant to particular types of placement. Students enrolled in the externship class submit written work, including the following: a statement of goals at the beginning of the semester; a weekly report of hours with narrative description of activities; submission of a research paper; a reflection essay; and others assigned by the instructor. Participating students receive one hour of graded credit.
Externship II
This class component is required should a student choose to enroll in a second externship. The class would have the same requirements as Externship I. Participating students receive one hour of graded credit.
Judicial Externship I
This is an externship with a federal judge. Othe requirements include: membership on American Journal of Trial Advocate or Law Review or other evidence of superior writing skills. Students are required to work a minimum of 120 hours in the placement. Participating students receive two hours pass/fail credit.
Corporate Externship I
This is an externship placement with a corporate legal office. Students are required to work a minimum of 120 hours in the placement. Participating students receive two hours pass/fail credit.
Litigation Extension I
This externship involves placement in a litigation office such as the District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, Legal Aid Society, and Legal Services of Metro Birmingham. Students must be certified under the Alabama Rule for Legal Internship and have completed Basic Skills in Trial Advocacy. Students are required to work a minimum of 120 hours in the placement. Participating students receive two hours pass/fail credit.
Government Agency Externship I
This externship involves placement in a government agency, such as the U.S. Attorney's Office, IRS, National Labor Relations Board or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Students are required to work a minimum of 120 hours in the placement. Participating students receive two hours pass/fail credit.
Classes with a Public Service Component
None.
Public Interest Journals
None.
Public Interest Career Assistance
The Office of Career Services offers information on public interest opportunities, and the PILO organization is well-informed and interacts with students concerning opportunities.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)
None
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:
Some summer fellowships are funded through a foundation grant
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Programs
Student-sponsored:
Cordell Hull Speakers Series
Thurgood Marshall Symposium
PILO-sponsored:
Bill Fuller, Department of Human Resources
Lecture, orientation/training recruiting students to participate in PILO
Student Public Interest Groups
- PILO (Equal Justice Works chapter)
- Environmental Law
- Wildlife Organization
- VITA
- Street Law Clinic through Alabama Center for Law & Civic Education
