FAQs

Why Public Service?
Ethical rules governing attorneys' professional obligation have recognized that all practitioners should devote time to pro bono activities. By encouraging students to perform a minimum of 50 hours (40 for the classes of 2009 and 2010) of public service prior to graduation, the Law School intends to foster a student culture in which all students desire to and understand the importance of giving back to their communities.

What qualifies as "Public Service" for the purposes of the program?
For the purposes of the public service program, "public service" is broadly defined to include legal and non-legal work in community organizations, advocacy groups, legal service offices, government agencies and a wide variety of non-profit organizations. The Law School acknowledges that not all students will choose public interest work as a career, but all Northwestern Law graduates can devote time to community service.

Is it a graduation requirement to complete 50 hours of public service?
No, this is a voluntary program where every student is strongly encouraged to contribute 50 hours (30 for transfer students, 15 for LLM students) of public service prior to graduation. Students who complete the hours goal and submit the proper documentation are honored at the public service barbeque during graduation week and receive special recognition at graduation.

Are there reduced public service goals for students at Northwestern Law for less than 3 years?
Yes, transfer students are encouraged to perform 30 public service hours (25 for the classes of 2009 and 2010) and LLM students are encouraged to perform 15 hours.

Does work performed during the summer qualify?
Generally, summer work does not count towards your public service credit. To qualify, the public service work must be performed during the academic year. However, students enrolled in courses during the summer can count summer public service hours.

Does work for which a student received academic credit qualify?
No, the work must be performed without compensation or academic credit.

Does the volunteer work have to be arranged through the law school or the public service office?
No, the volunteer work does not have to be arranged through the public service office or the Law School. To qualify, however, the work must be done for a non-profit organization, a governmental agency, or a licensed attorney or law firm doing pro bono or reduced- fee services. Projects need not be legal in nature.

Does the volunteer work have to be law related?
No. While volunteering to do pro bono work (generally defined as unpaid, law-related assistance to underrepresented individuals or causes) is encouraged and can be a way to get valuable legal experience, non-legal community service is also encouraged and valued as an important way to make a difference in the lives of others.

Do SFPIF hours count?
No, the volunteer work needs to be for an organization independent of the Law School. Hours assisting SFPIF projects or helping the school's recruiting efforts do not count. Please note, however, that hours volunteering in any of the Law School's clinics do qualify(if performed during the academic year without compensation or academic credit) because the work benefits individual clients.

Do clinic hours count?
Time volunteering in any of the Law School's clinics or centers counts only if performed during the academic year without compensation or academic credit. Additionally, clinical work and non-profit or government externship work performed over and above the number of hours set by the course instructors may be counted toward your public service goal.

How are placements identified?
Students are encouraged to initiate their own placements, provided they meet the guidelines of the program. A variety of placement opportunities are posted on the public service opportunities page and on the bulletin board outside the Public Service Coordinator's office. The Public Service Coordinator is available to meet with students to assist in finding volunteer opportunities of interest.

When are the Student Time Logs Due?
Students keep track of their volunteer hours on a student time log form and are encouraged to log all hours by the end of each semester.

What happens when I complete my public service hours?
Students who fulfill Northwestern Law's public service hourly goal, after submitting the appropriate documentation, are honored at the public service barbeque during graduation week and receive special recognition at graduation. Your name will be highlighted in the graduation bulletin, and you will receive gold and purple honor cords and tassels to wear at the graduation ceremony.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Public Service Coordinator Maureen Stratton.