KU News Service
LAWRENCE — Forty-nine University of Kansas School of Law students contributed 2,721 hours of free legal services over the past year.
Students prepared tax returns for low-income residents, represented individuals in the KU Court of Parking Appeals, drafted petitions for families seeking guardianship of their adult children with disabilities and worked with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, prosecutors’ offices and public defenders’ offices.
“Lawyers have a responsibility to perform pro bono service and promote access to justice,” said Meredith Schnug, clinical associate professor and chair of KU Law’s Pro Bono Committee. “We are so proud of KU Law students for being committed to pro bono service and making a difference in their communities.”
Samuel Crowley, Class of 2024, Hays, was among the students achieving the milestone.
Pro bono work is defined as uncompensated, law-related work that benefits the public, such as through a nonprofit organization or government agency.
Nine KU Law students participated in a new pro bono guardianship project last fall. Carly Booth, L’06, set the new project in motion, modeling it after a previously existing, similar program that KU Law students volunteered for in Wichita. Students worked with local agencies to provide services in adult guardianship cases for families.
“As a mom of three boys, I understand intimately the level of concern you can have for a vulnerable loved one,” said Caitlin McPartland, a first-year student who volunteered for the project. “And I now better understand how the complexity of the legal system inhibits so many people from accessing it. Participating in this project gave me an intimate glimpse of the emotional rewards I will find from being a lawyer in the Kansas City area, and because of my experience, I am looking forward to the future more than ever.”
In addition, 28 students were honored with Pro Bono Distinction for completing 50 hours or more of pro bono service throughout their law school career. Collectively, members of the Class of 2022 completed 4,923 hours of pro bono service.