Albany Law School has a deep and abiding commitment to pro bono service and to supporting students pursuing public sector careers. Our distinguished faculty includes some of the leading scholars in criminal, environmental, health and government practice. Our students may choose to focus on a variety of public interest practice areas including civil litigation, criminal law, environmental law, family and elder law, and government administration and regulation.  

Our renowned clinical programs provide unique opportunities for our students to gain invaluable legal skills while providing assistance to those most in need. The Albany Law Clinic & Justice Center includes seven in-house clinics, a field placement program, and one-hour practicum course.   

In addition to Albany Law School's outstanding public interest curricular offerings, we provide a broad range of services to students pursuing public interest careers. For example, our Career Center provides students pursuing public interest careers with individualized counseling, as well as programming and funding programs. Our Diversity Office coordinates initiatives designed to encourage service among students including a variety of law-related education initiatives. The Financial Aid Office oversees a generous Loan Assistance Repayment Program through which students receive forgivable loans of up to $10,000 per year for a maximum of three years.

Pro Bono and Public Service Programs
At the core of our growing and evolving public interest programs are the students at Albany Law School. The Office of Student Affairs works closely with Albany Law School students, community partners and faculty to broaden the scope and range of service-learning opportunities.

Initiatives for 2010-2011 Academic year include:

• Providing assistance, in conjunction with the Albany County Bar Association, to those conducting business with the Family Court;
• Working with Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, assisting with housing intake and preparing for unemployment compensation hearings under the supervision of attorneys; and

• Becoming certified tax preparers and assist people with filing their taxes.

In addition, the Office of Student Affairs is proud to participate in the National Pro Bono Celebration on October 25-31, 2009. 

Pro Bono Information

• American Bar Association Center for Pro Bono  
• probono.net 
• Fall 2009 Albany Law School Pro Bono Projects

Professionalism Information

• American Bar Association Model Rule 6.1 Voluntary Pro Bono Public Service
• Character and Fitness Requirements for Lawyers and Students Permitted to Practice Law (.pdf)
• New York Lawyer Assistance Programs for Law Students (.pdf)

For more information about Albany Law School's pro bono and public service programs, contact Susan Feathers, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, sfeat@albanylaw.edu.