Pro Bono Spring Break

Choose from many legal aid host programs from across Texas; virtual (remote) and in-person options will be available. Current placement options can be veiwed here, and this list will be updated as more options become available. The application period for the 2024 Pro Bono Spring Break is closed. Upon receipt of a completed application accompanied by a resume, the TAJC staff will send each applicant the most current list of placement options for consideration and response.  

All announcements regarding placements will be made mid-January. 

Each year during Spring Break, law students and supervising law school faculty members volunteer their time and energy to legal aid organizations to help low-income Texans resolve their civil legal problems. Due to the devastating and far-reaching impact of COVID, the PBSB program has been modified to be mindful of law student participants, legal aid providers, and clients. 

  • The Commission made an exception during the pandemic to allow students attending law school out-of-state to participate in the 2024 PBSB program. Because many students attending law school out-of-state are currently residing in Texas (attending university online), students shouldn't be further deprived of exposure to an access to justice learning experience.   
  • The TAJC deeply appreciates our Texas law schools, legal aid programs, and interested law students who make the PBSB program possible. 

In order to participate in the 2024 Hybrid PBSB program, during Week I, March 3-8, or Week II, March 10-15, law students must have access to the internet (Wifi), a cell phone/landline phone, and a laptop/desktop computer daily and throughout their spring break week (Monday through Friday). 

Pro Bono Spring Break is a great opportunity for law students to practice and apply legal skills learned in the classroom, including advocacy, client interviewing, and supervised legal decision-making. It also exposes future lawyers to the dire legal and financial circumstances faced by low-income people in Texas and raises awareness about access to justice issues.  At the same time, legal service providers receive a team of skilled and well-supervised volunteers who can leverage the provider’s time and relieve some of their workload.

Law students receive training and supervision by both law school faculty members and legal services staff.  Partcipating organizations in the past include: Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence, American Gateways, Catholic Charities of Dallas, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Project, Disability Rights Texas, Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, KIND Kids in Need of Defense, Legal Hospice of Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid, Mosaic Family Services, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, RAICES, and Texas Civil Rights Project.

FAST FACTS:

For the 2024 Hybrid PBSB Program, accepted PBSB Participants:

  • must have access to the internet (Wifi), a cell phone/landline phone, and a laptop/desktop computer to connect and communicate with legal aid staff daily and throughout their spring break week (Monday through Friday);
  • will participate a webinar no later than the week prior to their Spring Break week (Week I, March 3-8 or Week II, March 10-15) (Please note the webinar dates will be set by the TAJC, and a poll will be sent to selected PBSB students to register for webinar participation);
  • must work at least 8 hours per day on projects Monday through Thursday and half-a-day Friday during their spring break week;
  • are expected to write and submit a short essay (at least 800 words) or produce and submit a 3-5 minute video at the conclusion of their Spring Break week describing their experiences: the essay or video is due March 25 for Week I participants or April 1 for Week II participants;
  • may submit a reimbursement request, as long as expenses are within the parameters of the PBSB program; reimbursement forms with detailed receipts must be submitted by March 25 for Week I participants or April 1 for Week II participants.

Don't miss this eye-opening and rewarding opportunity. For more information about the Access to Justice Pro Bono Spring Break program, contact our office at atjmail@texasatj.org.