USC and UCLA law students will compete for the greater percentage of students participating in public service activities during the spring semester 2009. The challenge will honor the top 5 students who have the most volunteer hours.

Westlaw has given the challenge its full support and encourages students to participate. As a result, Westlaw will award 200 points to each student that completes and records at least 5 hours. Westlaw will also give 1000 points to the UCLA Law student that volunteers and records the most hours.

UCLA Law and USC Law students will perform at least 5 hours of public service to meet the Challenge.

UCLA Law students may participate in the challenge by volunteering at least 5 hours for El Centro clinics, student org projects that benefit the community, and outside non-profit organizations. If you would like to check whether your project will count towards the competion, please email Karen Law with "Pro Bono Challenge" in the subject line.

USC and UCLA alumni and faculty will either provide a pro bono project and mentor the student or guide the student through a pro bono project of the student's choice. Alumni and faculty who chose to be guides will be matched with students based on similar interests (ex: immigration law, debtor relief, etc).

The Challenge will start on January 12, 2009, and continue through the Spring Semester, ending April 17, 2009.

On January 12, 2009, UCLA Law's SBA will host a kick-off event in the law school courtyard with free food and drinks for students. El Centro clinics and student organizations will table during the event to educate students on the many volunteer opportunities available at UCLA Law. Dean Schill and SBA members will introduce the Challenge at 12:05pm. The event starts around noon and is co-sponsored with Office of Public Interest Programs.

UCLA Law is participating in this Challenge to promote pro bono and community service work within the legal profession; to maintain the image of UCLA Law as a school committed to public service; and to encourage students to engage and improve the surrounding community.

We invite all students (especially traditionally non-public interest minded students) to start a lifetime commitment to public service work. In addition, we are inviting alumni, faculty and staff to renew their commitment to public service work.

The school (UCLA Law or USC Law) with the highest percentage of students performing at least 5 hours of public service each, starting January 12, 2008 and finishing April 17, 2009, will be declared the winner of the Cross-Town Challenge.

Through this website, students will be able to sign up for pro bono and community service projects and log their hours. Students may record their hours over the semester, and our database will calculate each student's total hours at the end of the challenge.

Students and alumni/faculty may also apply on the website to be matched with an alumni/faculty mentor or student, respectively.

• An alumni/faculty mentor provides a service project and supervises the student's performance throughout the project.
• An alumni/faculty guide supports (by in-person meetings or email) the student in a project of the student's choice, provided by El Centro clinics, student organizations, or an outside non-profit organization.