Pro Bono Program
History
100,000 Pounds of food in just 3 years!!
1989 The concept of a pro bono program takes shape. The goals are set and the school receives a grant from the South Carolina Bar Foundation.
1991 Named "444th Daily Point of Light", May 1, 1991 by President George Bush. Only law school to receive this honor. Honored with the "University of South Carolina Outstanding Student Organization Award"
1992 First law school class with 3 years of pro bono experience graduates, over 50 % of student body actively involved. List of volunteer opportunities greatly expands. Named South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, Volunteer Group of the Year for involvement in an education project to help at-risk youth. "Guest Chef" project launched. Local attorneys, judges, and community leaders that support the efforts of the Pro Bono Program are invited to be the chef at a hot dog sale. Proceeds from the sale are used to support summer public interest internships. The "Pennies for Pro Bono" fundraising effort kicks off. Over $1000 raised to benefit SC Bar Pro Bono Litigation Fund.
1993 USC School of Law selected as site for ABA Pilot Project " Pro Se Modification of Child Support Orders Through the Court" ; VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) enrolls first volunteers to assist low-income persons with their tax forms.
1994 "Canned Immunity" the first major food drive to benefit the local food bank is launched- To date 25, 463 pounds of food have been donated. Celebration of 5 years of law students serving as volunteer Guardians ad Litem representing abused and neglected children in court. Law students volunteer with Lexington County Juvenile Arbitration Program- a community involvement program that works with first time offenders to prevent future offenses.
1996 USC names law student Sydney Meeks as the "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year" and Women in Law receives "Outstanding Student Organization Award", honoring their years of service on behalf of battered women. South Carolina Legal Services relocates to the Pro Bono Office and results in exciting opportunities for students to assist with cases and research.
1997 "Community Service Award" received from Harvest Hope Food Bank.
1998 Pro Bono Program Web Page debuts. The world of volunteering online (Virtual Volunteering) is explored. A team of students research and collate the nation's donated food laws for Chicago based, national food bank, Second Harvest's Web page. Indexing of the South Carolina Bar Ethics Advisory Opinions completed by students.
1999 McCants Elementary School students targeted for weekly assistance by over 30 law student volunteers.
Celebrations begin for 10th anniversary of the program Gov. Jim Hodges proclaims Pro Bono Day, September 27, 1999. The Honorable Judith Billings, Utah Court of Appeals speaks at Anniversay Luncheon in April, 2000. Judge Billings was the first Jurist-In-Residence at USC School of Law.
2000 McCants Elementary School closes; students and tutors move to Logan Elementary School. Harvest Hope Food Bank presents the Pro Bono Program with a special award for largest food drive in the school category.
2001 Canned Immunity Food Drive, expands to twice a year and becomes a "Best Class" Competition. Over 8,000 pounds of canned food collected in one semester.
September 11, 2001 In response to the student desires to help and to recover the following letter was sent to all students.
An Open Letter To the Law School Community
There are not enough words to express our emotions over the past few days as everyone reels from the effects of the recent tragedy in the United States. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and the citizens in New York, Washington and Shanksville. At this time of sorrow we all feel the need to help. This is a normal part of the healing process. I am in touch with local volunteer organization close to the situation and if ANY need arises where I think law students can directly assist I will put out the call. This does not solve our immediate desire to help. I ask that you channel that desire to your local community. We may not be able to have a direct impact on the disaster recovery but we can all work to make the world a better place for everyone. Making a difference one person at a time can be our goal. No drop of blood donated to the Red Cross will ever go to waste. But have patience, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. Whether you choose to help though your faith or through the Pro Bono Program projects, you will find that there is healing in doing good work. As members of the legal profession we need to be leaders in the war against intolerance. Use your intelligence and skills to promote the rule of law. You are urged to listen to the facts and to weigh the rhetoric. Take the time to discuss the issues with your fellow students and faculty. I also ask that you have patience - patience with our leaders and with yourself. Take time to connect with your loved ones and reach out to those in need of comfort. Now is the time for words of kindness to friends, fellow classmates and to strangers. If I can be of any comfort or assistance to you at this very special time please do not hesitate to contact me or drop by the office. The members of the Pro Bono Board join me in this offer of assistance.
Sincerely,
Pamela D. Robinson
Director, Pro Bono Program
2002 Working with Phi Delta Phi, volunteers raise money and stock a full emergency clothing closet for Logan Elementary School.
2002 Fall The Pro Bono Program adds Computer Buddies to its list of projects.In addition, volunteers will be recruited to participate in the SAS project, Students Assisting Seniors.SAS is a research project under the direction of USC School of Law Professor Robin Wilson.Trained volunteers from different disciplines will educate and assist senior seniors in the process of securing Medicare and Medicaid benefits.SAS utilizes volunteer law, medical, public health, nursing, social work, and pharmacy graduate students.
2003 Project Ayuda: Law Students Helping the Hispanic Community is developed.With a goal of providing legal information to the growing Hispanic Community in SC, students work with the Director on accessing, researching and responding to requests for legal information.This portion of the project is conducted in spanish.In addition to the information service volunteers with Project Ayuda work with the Young Lawyers Division of the SC Bar to compile and update of spanish speaking attorneys in SC, collaborate with other community organizations to provide information and to identify resources and enhance the knowledge of law students on issues of immigration law.
2004 The Pro Bono Program is recognized for its extensive service to the community. In January the SC Commission on Higher Education presented the Program with the " Service Learning Commendation". Also in January the SC Bar Pro Bono Program presented the Law School the 2003 Pro Bono Service Award. 2004 The Pro Bono Program is recognized for its extensive service to the community. In January the SC Commission on Higher Education presented the Program with the " Service Learning Commendation". Also in January the SC Bar Pro Bono Program presented the Law School the 2003 Pro Bono Service Award.
2005 At the conclusion of the Spring "Best Class" Food Drive, the Pro Bono Program reaches a goal of 100,000 pounds in 10 years. All canned food was donated to Harvest Hope Food Bank.
2005 At the 2005 ABA Equal Justice Conference in May, it is finally confirmed, the USC Pro Bono Program was the first voluntary pro bono program in a US law school!
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