Designed for law school pro bono and public interest program advisors, coordinators, directors and assistant and associate deans, this program will take a close look at law school pro bono including cutting-edge programs and activities. Several interactive workshops will explore the unique aspects of operating and expanding a law school pro bono program.

Networking Luncheon with Facilitated Roundtable Discussions

Welcome and ABA Policy Update: Examining ABA Pro Bono Accreditation Standard 302(b)(2) & Interpretation 302-10

• Melanie Kushnir, ABA Center for Pro Bono

The Intersection of Law School Pro Bono, Clinical and Field Placement Programs

A 2007 Report issued by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, “Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Profession of Law” calls for more experiential learning opportunities in legal education. What are the implications for law school pro bono programs? What should the relationship between law school clinics, field placements and pro bono programs be? Are there commonalities to their missions and objectives? What are schools doing to create synergies and avoid conflicts? Does pro bono offer unique experiences to complement other forms of experiential learning?

• Judith Welch Wegner, University of North Carolina School of Law

Ethical and Professional Responsibility Issues in a Law School Pro Bono Program

Panelists will engage attendees in a discussion of the ethical issues that crop up in law school pro bono programs. Discussion will cover many issues, including conflicts of interest, insurance, liability, unauthorized practice of law, and confidentiality. This panel will cover the rules and goals as well as provide practical solutions and ways to implement systems to meet requirements. Expect a lively discussion.

• Holly Eaton, Georgetown University Law Center
• Eric S. Janus, William Mitchell College of Law
• Eve Biskind Klothen, Camden School of Law
• Mark B. Rotenberg, University of Minnesota

Practical Strategies for Motivating Difficult Students

In this session, panelists will share best practices for inspiring and attracting non-public interest minded and uninterested students to participate in pro bono. Panelists will address how to develop a broad range of opportunities designed to meet the needs and interest of ALL students, including 1L’s, law firm track students, and evening students. Attendees will learn solutions to forestall student procrastination and maximize time students commit to pro bono particularly when exams, paper deadlines, and family commitments arise.

• Stephanie L. Danneman, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.
• Julie H. Jackson, Tulane University Law School
• Tom Schoenherr, Fordham University Law School

The Fundamentals of Administering a Law School Pro Bono Program

This program will discuss the key elements of operating a law school pro bono program, including basic recruitment and retention techniques; effective supervision and quality control methods; and systems to track and evaluate student and employer participation. Speakers will provide concrete ideas and examples for the audience to take with them after the presentation.

• Susan Feathers, Stanford Law School
• Karen Forman, Saul Ewing
• Janine A. Laird, Minnesota Justice Foundation

From Student to Young Associate: Keeping the Pro Bono Ethos Vibrant

How can law students identify firms committed to pro bono participation? Is it acceptable to ask about pro bono opportunities in an interview? Do firms value students committed to public service? How do lawyers balance pro bono with other work? How can young associates increase support for pro bono at their prospective firms? If you have wondered about these questions, this workshop is for you! The panel will examine these questions in the context of the growing trend among law firms to foster and support pro bono attorney involvement.

• Dana Bartocci, Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand LLP
• Jeffrey Jamison, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
• Marc Kadish, Mayer Brown
• Lee Meredith Branson, Harvard Law School
• Davida Brook, Stanford Law School

Engaging Alumni in Your Pro Bono Program

For many law schools, a large percentage of the graduates remain in the locality after graduation, creating a large pool of potential support – both financially and as participants – for the pro bono programs. Law school pro bono professionals will share strategies for conducting outreach to alumni and effective ways to involve them, including service on advisory boards, conducting substantive trainings, serving as supervisors and mentors, and speaking at recognition events and ceremonies.

• Mary Jo Gleason, Kentucky Court of Appeals/ Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville
• Elizabeth Dunn, Villanova University School of Law
• Michelle Harper, Suffolk University Law School

Unique Public Service Partnerships between Law Schools and Local Institutions

Interdisciplinary collaborations on pro bono and public service projects between law schools and undergraduate and local graduate degree programs are springing up across the country. Their development is consistent with a growing recognition that clients often have multiple problems that require a variety of specialties to resolve and the consequential, expanding interest in holistic delivery throughout the legal services community. This panel will highlight medical-legal partnerships and other substantive collaborations that may be replicated in other communities.

• Kimberly Carpenter Emery, University of Virginia School of Law
• K Royal, Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
• Tara Louise Casey, University of Richmond School of Law
• Pamela D Robinson, University of South Carolina School of Law