Pro bono work provides valuable experiences that are applicable to all areas of the law and helps ensure that all people receive quality legal services. To that end, PBI has a three-part mission:
1. To showcase the professional responsibility of attorneys to provide pro bono legal services to those without access to the legal system
2. To provide critical legal opportunities to law students under the direct supervision of attorneys
3. To develop programs where S.J. Quinney alumni can volunteer, network, and serve as mentors to current students.
What We Do:
The Pro Bono Initiative (PBI) is a unique, noncredit volunteer program that allows law students to build real-world problem-solving skills while serving their community. Student volunteers work directly with attorneys and other legal professionals to provide free brief legal consultation programs throughout Salt Lake City and Utah. The consultation programs are an opportunity for students to build valuable lawyering skills including client counseling, legal research, and document drafting. Beyond that, PBI provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to engage with and serve the community.
The legal advice sites operate year-round and are staffed by volunteer students and attorney supervisors. In addition to topic-specific programs that are open to the public, PBI also operates monthly events for residents of the Gail Miller Resource Center and the Utah State Correctional Facility. Beyond monthly sites, PBI also partners with community organizations, including Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, Utah Legal Services, the SLCC Dream Center, the Utah State Bar, the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, and more.
Students who perform at least 50 hours of volunteer service during law school receive a certificate.
