Pro Bono Opportunities for Law Students

Pro bono influences both competence and employability. It gives you client-facing experience earlier than most classroom settings and helps you show the professional attributes firms look for.

• Build practical skills rapidly

• Drafting: Prepare simple pleadings, letters and witness statements under supervision.

• Interviewing: Conduct initial client interviews and take instructions.

• Legal Research: Apply statutory and case law to real client questions and present succinct advice.

• Demonstrate professional qualities

• Client Care: Show empathy, confidentiality and communication skills.

• Commercial Awareness: Understand the impact of socio-economic issues on legal demand.

• Initiative and Reliability: Regular pro bono attendance shows commitment.

• Competitive edge in applications

• Evidence: Firms and the SQE assess candidates on practical aptitude; pro bono provides verifiable examples.

• Differentiation: With many candidates having similar academic records, real client work stands out.

Example: A student volunteering for a university housing advice clinic who drafted a pre-action letter that led to a landlord settling shows drafting, negotiation and impact - all useful to cite in a training contract interview.

Pro bono options vary by commitment, supervision and client group. Choose based on the skills you want to practice and the time you can commit to.

• University Pro bono clinics

• Description: Student-led clinics run by law schools providing supervised advice in areas such as housing, immigration and employment.

• Why Choose: Structured supervision and academic credit in some universities.

• Where To Look: Your law school careers service, student law societies, and platforms such as YourLegalLadder, LawWorks Students and LawCareers.Net.

• Citizens advice and local advice centres

• Description: Frontline advice on welfare, benefits and consumer issues; good for interview practice and interviewing skills.

• Where To Look: Citizens Advice local bureaux, AdviceNow and local council directories.

• Law centres and community legal services

• Description: Offer specialist advice to disadvantaged clients; often involve casework under solicitor supervision.

• Where To Look: Law Centres Network and local community legal service listings.

• Pro bono programmes Run by firms or Bar Pro bono unit

• Description: Short projects or events, such as free legal clinics, document review or research.

• Where To look: firm websites, Pro bono connect, advocate and chambers student for opportunities.

• Online and remote opportunities

• Description: Virtual clinics, online triage, and template drafting for charities; increasingly available post-pandemic.

• Where To Look: Online platforms, Legal Advice online forums (supervised) and YourLegalLadder's remote pro bono listings.

• Student legal advice schemes (Free legal advice centres)

• Description: Students provide advice under supervision to the public; these often train students in file management and client confidentiality.

• Where To Look: University law clinics and local advertising.

Tip: Combine one regular role (for depth) with ad-hoc projects (for breadth).

Treat pro bono applications with the same professionalism as a paid role. Use targeted approaches and record-keeping to improve success.

1. Prepare your application materials

2. Update CV: Include a short pro bono section showing role, hours, supervision and outcome.

3. Draft A Cover Note: Explain your motivation, availability and relevant skills (e.g. interviewing, research, language skills).

4. References: Use academic or pro bono supervisors where possible.

5. Use multiple channels

6. Apply Directly: Contact local law centres, Citizens Advice, and university clinics via email with a clear subject line.

7. Use aggregators: check yourLegalLadder, lawWorks, lawCareers.Net and legal cheek for opportunities and firm-run events.

8. Attend Events: Volunteer at law fairs, pro bono fairs and firm outreach events to meet supervisors.

9. Follow application best practice

10. Be Specific: State availability (days/hours), duration and any special skills (language, IT, research).

11. Ask Questions: Enquire about supervision, training, confidentiality and whether the role counts as client-facing work.

12. Track Deadlines: Use a simple tracker (spreadsheet) or platforms like YourLegalLadder's tracker to manage applications and commitments.

Example Email Opening: "I am a second-year law student at [University] and I am enquiring about volunteer opportunities with your housing advice clinic. I can commit 4 hours weekly and have experience conducting client interviews through the university clinic."

Deliver quality advice while staying within your competence and under appropriate supervision. The SRA and professional bodies expect students to follow standards when advising the public.

• Supervision and Competence

• Always Confirm Supervisor: Never provide legal advice without a supervising solicitor or qualified adviser being available.

• Know Your Limits: Take on tasks you are trained for (triage, research, document drafting) and escalate complex matters.

• Client care and confidentiality

• Confidentiality: Use secure channels for client data, anonymise notes where required and follow GDPR rules.

• Record-Keeping: Keep concise case notes, action lists and supervisor sign-offs. This protects both client and volunteer.

• Case management and timekeeping

• File Management: Use a consistent file naming system and update supervisors on progress.

• Timeliness: Return calls and emails promptly and manage expectations about what you can do and by when.

• Safeguarding and vulnerable clients

• Awareness: Be alert to safeguarding issues, domestic abuse indicators and mental health concerns.

• Referral: Know your local referral pathways (police, social services, specialist charities) and supervisor procedures.

• Ethical issues and conflicts

• Conflict Checks: Ensure the organisation runs conflict checks; disclose any potential personal conflicts.

• Professionalism: Avoid taking instructions outside the scope of the project and do not charge for services unless agreed under an authorised scheme.

Example Practice: Before a client interview, prepare an interview script with the supervisor, outline the information to capture (facts, outcome sought, vulnerability indicators) and agree immediate next steps (referral, letter, follow-up).

You must be able to evidence and reflect on learning from pro bono work. Employers value structured reflection and measurable impact.

• Recording hours and outcomes

• Timesheets: Use the organisation's timesheet system or keep your own dated log with hours, tasks and supervisor initials.

• Outcomes: Record the tangible outcome (advice given, letter sent, referral made) rather than vague descriptions.

• Building evidence For applications

• Produce A One-Page Case Summary: Briefly describe the client, issue, your role, supervision and outcome; include lessons learned.

• Obtain Supervisor Feedback: Ask for short written feedback or a reference you can attach to applications.

• Structuring answers In interviews

• Use STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Focus on your actions and the lawyerly skills you used.

• Quantify Where Possible: "I conducted 12 client interviews over 6 weeks leading to 8 clear written advices and 3 referrals to solicitors."

• Examples Of strong CV entry

• Housing advice clinic volunteer, university legal clinic (Jan-May 2025)

  • Conducted initial client interviews, drafted 10 pre-action letters under solicitor supervision and maintained client files. Supervisor: [Name].

• Using reflection For SQE preparation

• Apply Learned Skills: Use pro bono cases to practice questions and scenarios for SQE assessments, particularly client interviewing and drafting.

Resources: Keep a folder of anonymised case notes and reflective summaries. Platforms such as YourLegalLadder, LawCareers.Net and LawWorks provide templates and guidance on logging and evidencing pro bono work.

Pro bono should complement your studies, not overwhelm you. Plan commitments and set boundaries to protect your academic progress and wellbeing.

• Set clear limits

• Time Cap: Limit weekly pro bono hours during exam periods (for example, 4-6 hours) and increase when workload permits.

• Commitment Type: Prefer short, fixed-term projects for busy terms and longer roles during holidays.

• Communicate Early

• Supervisor Communication: Advise supervisors of exam dates and peak study periods in advance and renegotiate availability.

• Self-Care Strategies

• Debrief: After difficult client interactions, debrief with supervisors or peers to avoid burnout.

• Use Support: Access university wellbeing services if emotional strain arises from pro bono cases.

• Practical tips To stay organised

• Weekly Plan: Block study and pro bono slots into your calendar, leaving buffer time for overruns.

• Use Tools: Track tasks with a simple Kanban board, spreadsheet or use YourLegalLadder's tracker to coordinate deadlines and hours.

Remember: Quality over quantity. Consistent, well-supervised pro bono that you can reflect on is far more valuable to your development and applications than a large number of unsupported hours.