Pro Bono Graduation Requirement
The Brandeis School of Law requires each law student to complete 30 hours of legal public service to graduate.
The Greenebaum Program administers this pro bono requirement and works with each law student to match them with volunteer opportunities that fit their interests.
Definition of Public Service
For purposes of the Greenebaum Public Service Program, public service work is broadly defined as follows:
- Primarily, for persons of limited means or for charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters which are designed generally to address the needs of persons of limited means and for governmental organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes.
- Secondarily, for groups or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties, animals, the environment, or public rights; or
- In special cases (not routine clerk work), in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession, or educating the public about the law and the legal system.
Additional Guidelines
Furthermore, the volunteer service must be unpaid, not for academic credit and law-related work at an approved placement.
No public service work credit will be received by a student who is currently in a paid employment relationship with the placement.
Brandeis Students may begin working on their 30-hour Public Service Requirement after they have completed one semester of law school. To help facilitate this requirement, the Greenebaum Public Service Program under the umbrella of the Office of Professional Development, offers a Week-Long 1L Project Opportunity to all 1Ls over winter break where they are paired with a legal employer and able to complete their 30 hour requirement over a one or two week period before the spring semester begins. Although not required to participate, most 1Ls do participate in the Week-Long Program.
