University of Arkansas School of Law Celebrates 2018 Pro Bono Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas School of Law is participating in a nationwide celebration of pro bono during Pro Bono Week, Oct. 21-27.

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service launched the initiative in 2009 because of the increasing need for pro bono services. The nation-wide celebration provides an opportunity for local legal associations across the country to provide high quality legal services to those in need.

Events at the University of Arkansas include a panel discussion on pro bono, workshop to answer civil legal questions, service project to collect warm clothing and exhibit featuring legal artifacts. The week will also incorporate sign-up drives, giveaways and networking events for law students.

On Monday, Oct. 22, an exhibit titled "Working Towards Justice: Documenting Lawyers Doing Good" will highlight correspondence, newspaper articles, pleadings and photographs from some of the state's most legendary lawyers. The items will be on display from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Norma Lea Beasley Entrance Hall. 

On Thursday, Oct. 25, the law school will present "Benefits for All: A Panel Discussion on Pro Bono" in the E.J. Ball Courtroom from noon-1 p.m. Panelists include Amy Dunn Johnson, executive director of the Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation, Grenada Johnson, pro bono manager for Legal Aid of Arkansas, David Matthews, a partner at the Rogers law firm of Matthews, Campbell, Rhoads, McClure, and Thompson PA, and Katie Rose Martin, a third year law student. Annie Smith, associate professor of law and director of the law school's Pro Bono and Community Engagement Program, will moderate the discussion. 

On Friday, Oct. 26, law students will volunteer alongside local attorneys to answer civil legal questions posted by low-income Arkansans on Arkansas Free Legal Answers. The service is a project of the American Bar Association and is administered in Arkansas by Arkansas Access to Justice. 

The Student Bar Association and the Pro Bono and Community Engagement Program are co-sponsoring a Warm Clothing Drive all week. They are seeking donations of new, or gently used, coats, sweaters, blankets, gloves and scarves to help neighbors in need. Donation bins will be in three locations on the first floor of Waterman Hall: the Norma Lea Beasley Entrance Hall, the law student kitchen and outside the University of Arkansas Legal Clinic office.

Law students who have performed the most pro bono hours will have the opportunity to celebrate over dessert with School of Law Dean Margaret Sova McCabe. Those students are: Kelley Boyd, Katie Rose Martin, Christina Lusk, Kameron Richards, Skye Austin, Antonio Jones, Sabrina Worsham, Shakeria Marshall, Timothy Baker and Sarah Kueter.