Abstract
Pro bono programs for law students are important as a means of inculcating in students the public service role of lawyers within our community. Embedded in legal pro bono are notions of charitable giving, legal protection and support to the disadvantaged. The pro bono ideal is the provision of legal services to disadvantaged communities without expectation of reward. This paper explores the importance of altruism to student pro bono. It also examines the special features of student pro bono work and how far student projects should extend to those organisations which are concerned with the broader civic and cultural life of communities. It concludes that there are special features about student pro bono which distinguish it from the legal profession's pro bono work that may make 'pure' altruism less significant in this context. The paper asks whether the pro bono ideal is compromised if pro bono projects are undertaken by the student for academic credit. It also provides an overview of the practical aspects of implementing a pro bono program in Australian law schools.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Community Engagement in Contemporary Legal Education: Pro Bono, Clinical Legal Education and Service-learning |
| Editors | Patrick Keyzer, Amy Kenworthy, Gail Wilson |
| Place of Publication | Ultimo, N.S.W. |
| Publisher | Halstead Press |
| Pages | 21-39 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781920831691 |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |