A passion for helping people in need
“Servant leadership” is one of the founding principles behind Concordia University School of Law. To that end, our students are not only encouraged to provide numerous hours of pro bono work, it’s mandatory. And while the requirement is for each student to complete 50 hours of law-related public service prior to graduation, the vast majority go well past that minimum number of hours. Through community service, students hone their skills by giving back to people in need. Serving the underserved is what Concordia University School of Law is all about.
Basic requirements
Students may participate in the pro bono program once they complete their first semester of study and after they attend a required pro bono program orientation. Students must be in good academic standing in order to participate.
In accordance with Idaho Rule of Professional Conduct Rule 6.1, the substantial majority of a student’s pro bono work must consist of providing direct legal services to persons of limited means. The work must be legally-substantive, supervised by a licensed attorney, and performed without any remuneration, either monetary or to satisfy any other academic requirements. Under the supervision of the Director of Externships and Pro Bono Programs and a student-run Pro Bono Service Board, the School of Law has established partnerships with organizations that provide legal services to underserved populations in a wide variety of settings including legal aid organizations, volunteer lawyer programs, government agencies, and charitable organizations. A list of pre-approved opportunities can be found on Hire Concordia Law.
Students are encouraged to identify their own opportunities for service, but all projects must be pre-approved by the Director of Externships and Pro Bono Programs to be eligible for pro bono credit. Refer to the Pro Bono Program Handbook for more information. See ABA Standard 303(b)(2).