At UCLA School of Law, students can make a voluntary pledge to complete at least 50 pro bono hours (as defined by UCLA Law) before graduating, starting when they matriculate at UCLA Law. Students who meet that pledge will be honored at graduation with special recognition of their contributions.

The minimum hours required for each level of distinction are listed below:

JD Students

• 50 hours: Pro Bono Distinction
• 150 hours: Pro Bono High Distinction
• Pro Bono Highest Distinction Prize for the student(s) with the most pro bono hours who have also played a leadership role in pro bono.

LLM and MLS Students

• 20 hours: Pro Bono Distinction
• 50 hours: Pro Bono High Distinction
• Pro Bono Highest Distinction Prize for the student(s) with the most pro bono hours.

Students can meet the requirement for playing a leadership role in pro bono by serving as a student director of a student-led pro bono project or as a student leader of a service-learning trip.

For more information, please refer to the Schrader Program Wiki (available for UCLA Law community members).