The School of Law sponsors a pro bono program known as "Give 35," which strives to provide students with opportunities to perform volunteer public interest (or pro bono) work in the community and thereby enrich their law school experience and add relevance to their coursework. Each year, students can satisfy the goal of the "Give 35" program and qualify for a public interest service award by performing at least thirty-five (35) hours of unpaid law-related work that meets the broad definition of "public interest."
The School of Law recognizes the diversity and scope of legal activity embraced in the phrase "public interest." "Public interest" includes, for example, the provision of direct legal services to the traditionally underrepresented, research and advocacy activities for law reform, and other related work on issues furthering the interests of groups and individuals who cannot afford adequate legal representation. The definition is to be interpreted liberally to include broad diversity and scope without diluting the focus on services for the disadvantaged, underrepresented, or excluded.
The Office has identified an array of pro bono opportunities, in a variety of settings and substantive areas and requiring different time commitments, and Office staff is available to help each student take advantage of the most beneficial and rewarding opportunity. Opportunities are available both with student-sponsored projects and with over seventy Los Angeles-area public interest organizations and government offices, including legal aid offices, public interest groups, public defenders and prosecutors, civil rights enforcement agencies, other government agencies, and legislative bodies.