Tulane's pro bono legacy transcends boundaries
During law school, 2015 grad Margaret Manns logged 667 pro bono hours, working in New Orleans courts and district attorneys" offices in Houston and Columbus, Georgia, and assisting local artists with services they couldn"t otherwise afford. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
The impact of Tulane Law School"s enduring dedication to pro bono work extends from coast to coast and around the world, with a dizzying array of projects.
The law school faculty recently approved increasing the community service requirement to 50 hours. But the majority of law students voluntarily exceed that. Some compile upward of 600 hours across three years. This year"s graduating class accounts for 22,160 hours of pro bono work, and 65 percent of the class exceeded the 30-hour minimum.
Law grad Margaret Manns volunteered 667 hours, working in New Orleans courts and district attorneys" offices in Houston and Columbus, Georgia, and assisting local artists with services they couldn"t otherwise afford.
Missy Bücher did pro bono overseas, working during the spring of her second year with prosecutors at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia on the war crimes case against former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko MladiÄ. This spring, she handled legal research and writing at the Orleans Parish District Attorney"s Office.
Providing volunteer services “is necessary even if somebody doesn"t want to do public interest” as a career, Bücher said. “As a lawyer, you have a responsibility. So many people need access to legal help.”
For Christopher James, his main pro bono work was advocating on behalf of New Orleans students. Through the advocacy group Stand Up For Each Other, he represented students facing suspension or expulsion from New Orleans schools at disciplinary hearings to help get them back on track with their education.
“Few issues in the city right now are more important or impactful than the school-to-prison pipeline and how it affects the community,” James said.
“What I"ve gained from this work is firsthand knowledge of school-to-prison-pipeline issues, experience as an advocate, respect in the community and a sense of satisfaction that I"ve made a difference for dozens of students and families over the past three years.”
Linda P. Campbell is Tulane Law School"s director of communications.
“As a lawyer, you have a responsibility. So many people need access to legal help.”—Missy Bücher, law school class of 2015
