Introduction

Guidelines

Criteria

Forms

Download Pro Bono Packet

(word) (pdf)

1. Except for transfer students, law students who enroll in the William S. Richardson School of Law must complete 60 hours of law-related pro bono service as a graduation requirement.   Transfer students must complete a total of 10 hours of pro bono service for every semester enrolled in the William S. Richardson School of Law.
2. Law students are solely responsible for locating pro bono work and qualified supervisors and for the timely submission of required documentation, including registration forms, time sheets, student evaluations and supervisor evaluations. Students are required to maintain their own copies of all paperwork submitted. The deadline for graduating students for completion of their pro bono requirements, including submission of all required documentation, is the last scheduled day of classes of the semester of graduation.   Due to past student abuses, effective with the 2004-2005 school year, students are required to file a petition to the faculty to request any extension of the deadline, based on extraordinary circumstances
3. Except for certain restrictions on the first year law student and preadmission student pro bono activity, the 60-hour requirement may be fulfilled during one or more semesters and during the winter, spring, and summer recesses. First year law students may only perform approved pro bono service starting with the winter recess of their first year after completion of examinations for the first semester. Non-matriculated pre-admission students are authorized to perform up to 12 hours pro bono service during the spring semester and up to 20 hours during the summer recess, and only with the pre-approval of the Pre-admission Director.
4. The 60-hour pro bono work requirement may be fulfilled with one or more approved agencies, individuals, organizations, or projects.   Students are encouraged to perform at least 20 hours of pro bono service with an organization receiving funding from the State of Hawai'i Judiciary's Indigent Legal Assistance Fund or with an attorney or organization providing similar legal services to indigent clients in Hawai'i or in another jurisdiction.
5. Pro bono work must be approved by the Pro Bono Program Director. To confirm that the placement will be approved, students are encouraged to seek approval in advance of commencement of their pro bono work. For pre-admission students, pro bono work must be approved in advance by the Pre-admission Director prior to submission to the Pro Bono Advisor. Students are required to maintain their own copies of all paperwork submitted.