Pro Bono Rule FAQs

The new rule, some helpful FAQs, and the Affidavit of Compliance can be found on the New York State Unified Court System Pro Bono Homepage.

RWU Law Specific FAQs:

If you have specific questions about the New York Bar Pro Bono Requirement, we encourage you to contact the personnel at the New York State Unified Court System directly. You can email questions to ProBonoRule@nycourts.gov, or call toll-free 1-855-227-5482. For RWU Law-specific questions, contact Eliza Vorenberg at evorenberg@rwu.edu or (401) 254-4597.

Below please find answers to some questions raised by RWU Law students that may be relevant to you. We will update this section as additional questions arise.

Can I use the hours from the Pro Bono Experiential Learning Requirement to meet the NY requirement? 

Yes, with some exceptions. Hours of law-related pro bono work used to complete the RWU pro bono requirement can also be used towards satisfying the New York Pro Bono Requirement, provided they meet the pro bono definition described above (law-related pro bono under the supervision of an attorney). Some RWU Law programs that qualify for the RWU pro bono requirement DO NOT qualify under the New York Rule. For example, coaching moot court does not qualify. Participating in VITA may not qualify. Your pro bono must be “law-related” and supervised by an attorney or judge. Please contact Eliza Vorenberg if you have any questions about whether a particular pro bono activity will qualify under the New York rules.

On the Affidavit of Compliance, does my supervisor's signature need to be notarized? 

No. The completed Affidavit of Compliance must be notarized before it is submitted, but your Supervisor's certification does not need to be separately notarized.

Do credit-bearing clinic and externship hours count? 

Yes, they may, depending on the clinic or externship. In-house counsel externship hours will not count.

Can I combine multiple placements to reach the 50 hours? 

Yes. Each placement will require a separate affidavit.

Can an entirely student-run pro bono project count toward the pro bono requirement? 

No. The pro bono project must be supervised by an attorney or judge.

Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.