At Indiana Law, we believe that lawyers have a responsibility to serve their communities. The Access to Justice Pro Bono Program gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience while making a meaningful difference for individuals and organizations in need. These FAQs will help you understand how the program works, how to get involved, and how to make the most of your pro bono experience.
Following ABA Rule 6.1, pro bono work must be unpaid and in the public interest.
Clerking for a judge or working for a government agency
Indiana Legal Services, Student Legal Services, Community Legal Clinic, and an Independent Clinical Project
Clinics and Externships that meet pro bono definitions and account for hours done above those for which you are receiving academic credit
Yes, generally*:
Hours done in service of the public good
Training counts if it’s tied to legal services
*Note: Some training may not count for NY Bar.
Yes, if:
The work is for a pro bono client who is not being charged
If doing it for credit, follow credit-specific rules
Yes, but only after completing the required hours per credit:
Internships
Since these are not completed for academic credit, as long as they serve the public good, then yes!
Externships
1 credit = 52 hours; only hours after that can be logged
2 credits = 104 hours; only hours after that can be logged
Clinics
3 credits = 128 hours; only hours after that can be logged
There are multiple benefits to tracking your pro bono hours, including:
Recognition at graduation
Eligibility for awards and prizes
Helps pro bono projects show impact
Use CareerNet
To track hours in CareerNet, you will log in to your account, then click your name or initials in the upper right hand corner, click My Account, then Pro Bono. The first step will be Pro Bono Registration during which you will complete the pledge, Ethics Training and Quiz attestations, then you will be able to log hours in CareerNet.
For the New York Bar
Use affidavit forms and obtain supervisor signatures at the time of services.
No! You can still log late hours. Deadlines are mostly for award consideration, not for eligibility.
New York is the only state that requires pro bono hours for bar admission.
New York requires 50 hours of pro bono work.
Qualifying work includes:
Legal services for low-income or disadvantaged people
Legal work for nonprofits
Work in courts, legislatures, or government agencies
Must be certified by your supervising attorney
No. Unfortunately, AJP cannot certify pro bono hours. Remember to keep your own records and signed affidavits. If you need help navigating the process, please email wedogood@iu.edu.
Yes, near the end of your 2L and 3L years, you will complete a survey with your total pro bono hours. Data will be compared to your CareerNet logs and audited to ensure compliance with our pro bono rules.
To receive recognition at graduation, you must:
Complete a minimum of 60 hours of pro bono work. Students with 250 and 500 hours will also be recognized.
LLM/SJD students are recognized for completing a proportional number of hours (e.g., 20 hours for one academic year).
There are top contributor awards, which will be awarded to the graduating student with the highest number of hours reported.
At the annual Pro Bono Award Ceremony, recognition will be given to the students with the highest number of hours reported by class.
Bonus: The 2L with the most hours by April will win a free bar prep course.
