FAQs: About the Pro Bono Requirement

Q. Why Public Service?

Ethical rules governing an attorney's professional obligation have recognized that all practitioners devote time to pro bono activities. The goal of the Penn Law Toll Public Interest Center is to impress upon students the obligation to promote justice by assisting the underserved and underrepresented. As a result, students gain practical legal experience, clients are served, and legal service providers gain valuable assistance.

Q. What Is The Public Service Requirement?

Faculty guidelines stipulate that all law students complete 35 hours of approved public service work during the academic year in their 2nd and 3rd years of attendance, for a total of 70 hours.

Q. Can I Perform More Than The Required Number of Hours?

Students who perform > 80 hours of service will receive a certificate at the Annual Recognition Ceremony held in the spring. In 2007, 73 percent of the graduating class received certificates for exceeding the 80 hours.

Q. How Does The Requirement Work For Transfer Students?

If a student transfers to another institution, but plans to obtain a degree from Penn Law, the student must perform the equivalent number of hours at the other location. For students who transfer to Penn as 2Ls, the requirement is the same.

Q. What Constitutes Eligible Work?

Public service work is broadly defined and encompasses unpaid legal work:

1. In the public sector (i.e., governmental and quasi-governmental entities);
2. In public interest or pro bono organizations, or any other non-profit group (other than trade associations), regardless of the political priorities of the organization;
3. With private practitioners or firms where the work is performed at no cost or at a reduced fee on behalf of underrepresented clients.

The work must be professional, non-clerical law-related work and carried on under the supervision of an attorney or faculty member. In exceptional cases, the Public Interest Committee, which oversees the requirement, may approve other arrangements.

Q. How Are Placements Identified?

The Toll Public Interest Center staff identifies eligible placements and makes them available to students during designated "sign-up" periods. Students or groups of students may initiate placements but must have them approved, in advance, by TPIC staff.

Q. Which Organizations Are Approved For Pro Bono Service?

To learn about approved organizations listed on the TPIC roster, go to Public Service Topics.

Q. What If The Organization That I Am Interested In Does Not Appear On The List?

If you wish to add an organization not already on the TPIC roster, stop by the office for approval and necessary paperwork. For more information, check student initiated projects.

Q. When Can I Sign Up?

In July, prior to beginning their second year, students receive information about some of the placements available for the following academic year along with the Registrar's course materials. Students can review the placement descriptions and consider a situation consistent with their interests and availability. Students sign up when they return to Law School in the fall (sign ups do not take place during the summer). The sign-up period begins in the fall, soon after students commence classes and then again in January, after the semester break.

Q. How Is The Placement Match Actually Accomplished?

Students "match" themselves to a placement of their choice. All approved placements are entered into a database available on the Law School 's Intranet called the "Goat." .Students can access placements by name, subject area, and type of work. For example, a student interested in criminal defense can enter that information and retrieve the placements in that subject area - as can a student interested in prosecution or students interested in working with women. After the student verifies that there are slots available and that the placement is of interest to them, s/he completes a Sign-Up Form, "reserving" the placement. TPIC then provides contact information and paperwork in a student's mail folder. Students have five working days after the sign-up date to submit a Placement Confirmation Agreement Form showing they have met with the placement liaison and made scheduling arrangements. The Toll Public Service Center maintains student evaluations of prior placements that are available for any student to review. The sign-up process is described in the materials sent to students over the summer. TPIC staff is also available to counsel students regarding their placement choice.

Q. When Are Student Log And A Signed Supervisory Report Due?

Logs are due at the end of your service commitment, but no later than the last day of scheduled spring semester classes, whether you select your placement in the fall or the spring.

Q. If I Am Continuing My Placement From The Fall Term In The Spring, Do I Need to Complete Another Sign-Up Form And Confirmation Agreement?

If you sign-up for a placement in the fall and wish to continue there during the spring semester, you need not re-sign-up in the spring.

Q. If I Am Continuing My Placement From One Year to The Next, Do I Need To Complete Another Sign-Up Form And Confirmation Agreement?

If you are returning to a placement from a previous year, you must submit new sign-up and confirmation forms.

Q. How Do Clinic Courses Count Towards Meeting My Pro Bono Requirement?

If you are enrolled in a Clinic course, you can elect to drop 1 credit in exchange for 35 hours. Students who elect this option must stop by TPIC for credit exchange form. No other paperwork (log) is necessary.

Q. What Do I Do If I Am Experiencing A Problem With My Placement?

We're here to help you resolve any problems or issues that you might be encountering. Call us or stop by the Toll Public Interest Center right away, and we will help you resolve them: 215.898.0459 (phone) or 215.573.5806 (fax).

Q. What Placement Services Exist If I Am Interested In A Career In Public Interest?

The Career Planning & Placement Office employs a full-time public interest counselor who is available to meet with students about their career goals, fellowships and government honors programs, summer and permanent employment and public interest funding sources. The public interest counselor supports students with individual counseling, resume review, job search strategies, publications, newsletters and mock interviews. More information.