In December, 83 law schools reported that 16,559 law students in the class of 2023 contributed more than 3,289,714 hours in legal services as part of their legal education, an average of about 198 hours per student.
Independent Sector, a nonprofit organization coalition, estimates the value of volunteer time to be $31.80 an hour. Using this number, the total value of the students’ time at these schools is estimated to be more than $104.6 million. The schools represent approximately 47% of the students in ABA-accredited law schools in the class of 2023.
Through a nationwide survey, the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) measured how much law schools contribute to the delivery of much-needed legal services through clinics, other experiential courses and pro bono activities of law students.
Many schools reported that some hours go uncounted or are difficult to track so actual contributions were likely higher. The project also did not include hours contributed by students in law school master’s degree programs such as an LL.M. program.
Law students contributed hours through a variety of efforts, including externships at legal aid and community organizations, law school clinics and student organization projects. These experiential learning opportunities enable students to apply classroom concepts to legal problems under the guidance of lawyers and professors. Through these efforts, students received practical experience in law and communities received critical legal services.
“AALS is pleased to present the impact of law student pro bono and clinical legal services on communities in need,” said Melanie Wilson, AALS president and dean and Roy L. Steinheimer, Jr., professor of law at Washington and Lee University School of Law. “These experiences not only prepare students for their careers but also contribute to improving access to justice across the country. I applaud the class of 2023 for their commitment to service.”
Law students contributed hours to hundreds of efforts serving thousands of clients, including the following projects and clinics:
University of Arkansas School of Law – The Delta Initiative
Baylor University School of Law – Family Law Clinic
University of California, Los Angeles School of Law – Center on Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy
Case Western Reserve University School of Law – Environmental Law Clinic
The University of Chicago, The Law School – Employment Law Project
University of Colorado Law School – American Indian Law Clinic
University of Connecticut School of Law – Animal Law Clinic
Drake University Law School – Middleton Center for Children’s Rights
Florida State University College of Law – Farmworker & Immigration Rights Clinic (FIRC)
Harvard Law School – Tenant Advocacy Project
Howard University School of Law – Movement Lawyering Clinic
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law – Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law
Loyola University Chicago School of Law – Immigration Detention Project
The University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law – Mediation Clinic
University of Minnesota Law School – Gun Violence Prevention Clinic
Mitchell Hamline School of Law – Nonprofit Tax Planning Clinic
New York University School of Law – Earth Rights Advocacy Clinic
North Carolina Central University School of Law – Elder Law Project
Northern Illinois University College of Law – Health Advocacy Clinic
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law – Appellate Advocacy Center
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School – Trans Empowerment & Advocacy Project (TEA)
Roger Williams University School of Law – Veterans Disability Appeals Field Clinic
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law – COVID-19 Legal Helpline
The University of Texas School of Law – Law and Religion Clinic
University of Washington School of Law – Tribal Court Clinic: Criminal Defense and Family Advocacy
A full report on the survey is available on the AALS website.
