- 20 hours during 1L Year (starting with your first day of classes)
- 40 hours during 2L year (including the summer before 2L year)
- 40 hours during 3L year (including the summer before 3L year)
- Part-time and JD Global Accelerated students are asked to complete 1/2 the hours of their full-time counterparts.
STEP 2: Find eligible opportunities
There is a wide range of pro bono and volunteer activity out there, and we can help you find the right opportunity. is a great place to start!
Eligibility
To be eligible for the pledge, work must be:
- For a nonprofit or public entity
- On behalf of individuals or groups who are underserved or of limited means (or for organizations that serve those individuals or groups)
- Uncompensated
- Not for academic credit (with some credit or compensation exceptions)
- Completed while you are enrolled at Seattle U Law (or during summers).
- Supervised by an attorney or law faculty member (certain exceptions described in our guidelines for eligible activities).
- For more definitions and details about what activity is eligible, visit our Pro Bono Pledge FAQ.
Find an Opportunity
- Access to Justice Institute ConnectSU
- Resources to help you find an opportunity
Already Volunteering?
- You do not need to obtain advance approval for participation
- Contact ATJI with eligibility questions
Additional considerations
- 1Ls: While 1Ls are encouraged to participate in the Pro Bono Program, we recognize the time constraints and pressures of the first year of law school, and encourage all first year students to be thoughtful about taking on additional responsibilities and identifying placements that do not necessarily require advanced research, writing, or client skills.
- Professional Responsibility:
- Since the Pledge is voluntary, there are no penalties if you pledge but then later do not meet your pledge goals. However, it is extremely important to fulfill any obligations you have made with an external organization, supervisor, or client, and to be communicative and professional if you are unable to meet those commitments. Volunteer positions should be treated with the same level of professionalism and preparedness that you would bring to a job. If you are struggling to meet the obligations of your volunteer placement, please talk to your supervisors and/or to an ATJI staff member.
- We strongly encourage all students to take advantage of the volunteer and pro bono resources that are available at your host entity and the law school. Please be mindful of the relevant rules of professional responsibility and consider trainings that can help you to effectively work with the constituents or communities impacted by your work. Through its ATJI ConnectSU portal and weekly newsletter, The Link, ATJI lists many relevant trainings and resources on these items as well as trainings on substantive areas of law.
Other sources include:- Center for Professional Development (CPD)
- The ABA's Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service
- The King County Bar Association's guidelines for professional courtesy
STEP 3: Report your hours
Once you complete an eligible activity, record your hours online in order to fulfill your Pledge.
- To count toward a student's pledged commitment, all hours must be reported through Track it Forward, which collects information about dates, total hours completed (training and traveling time are not eligible), host organization contact info, and the type of activity completed.
- 75 of 100 hours (or 75% total hours) must be considered legal pro bono activity. The remaining hours may include a broader range of community volunteer (public service) activity. See our guidelines for eligible activities.
- To stay on track for graduation and to be considered for yearly recognition by ATJI and the Dean's Office, we suggest target goals for each year:
- 20 hours during 1L Year (starting with your first day of classes)
- 40 hours during 2L year (including the summer before 2L year)
- 40 hours during 3L year (including the summer before 3L year)
- Part-time and JD Global Accelerated students are asked to complete 1/2 the hours of their full-time counterparts.
Recognition
- Students who meet their Pledge goals before they graduate will be recognized at graduation by the School of Law.
- Students who complete and report 250 hours or more of eligible activity will be given a special designation in the graduation program (125 hours for part-time and JD Global Accelerated students and 60 hours for Masters/LLM students).
- In addition, students who meet their yearly Pledge targets will be recognized by the Access to Justice Institute and Dean's Office at the end of each year.
- You may opt out of receiving recognition. However, we hope you still consider engaging in pro bono and volunteer service, and that you will share your information with us. Your submissions remain confidential unless you give permission for ATJI to share your information, and this information is extremely valuable to us so we can better understand how our students are spending their time and how we can best support your work in the community.
The Access to Justice Institute is not a direct legal services provider. For help in finding a lawyer, visit washingtonlawhelp.org or call 2-1-1 if you are inside of King County. If you are outside of King County, call Coordinated Legal Educational Advice Referral (CLEAR) at 1-888-201-1014.
- Take the Pro Bono Pledge!
- ATJI Connect SU
