Something that recently caught our eye is Michigan Law School’s revamped commitment to public service. The school has revealed its plans to increase its community service through the Pro Bono Pledge for students. Under this voluntary Pledge, students are asked to dedicate a minimum of 50 hours of their time to pro bono services while enrolled at Michigan Law. Assistant Dean of Public Service MaryAnn Sarosi says that this new program is a natural extension of Michigan Law’s history of public service, and is a perfect way to celebrate the public university’s 150th anniversary this year.
Current student pro bono efforts are coordinated by Michigan Law’s Office of Public Service. Working in conjunction with the Pledge, this office will expand the number of opportunities it offers, providing students with more options for pro bono work. These opportunities include creating databases that track wrongful convictions, untested rape kits, and human trafficking. Some students will also have the chance to monitor the upcoming trial for former Serbian leader Radovan Karadizic. In addition, other students can work with Michigan Law’s own Environmental Law & Policy Program regarding environmental crime prosecutions, while some can contribute to the Mississippi Center for Justice’s policy-changing efforts regarding toddler care. Other partners with Michigan Law for the Pro Bono Pledge include Human Rights Watch, the Center on Wrongful Convictions and the Innocence Project, and the Washington Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.
The Pro Bono Pledge provides students with an additional opportunity to work with faculty and outside professionals, as well as gain real-life exposure to current legal issues that complement their academic studies. Law School Dean Evan Caminker believes that the Pledge may also help students become aware of and pursue pro bono careers upon graduation, thereby continuing Michigan Law’s service to its community.
