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Pro Bono Recognition & Awards

Each year, students who reach the recommended number of pro bono hours for the year (20 hours for 1Ls, and 50 hours each for 2Ls and 3Ls) are honored, along with outstanding pro bono partners, at the Pro Bono and Student Life Awards event. Students' pro bono work has also been recognized and lauded by the State Bar of California and other organizations.

UCI Law Annual Pro Bono Awards

This yearly awards event celebrates the students’ pro bono work and honors the pro bono supervisors and supporters who assist the students. Awards are presented not only for number of volunteer hours but also for demonstration of leadership, innovation and “independent spirit.”

Community Awards and Recognition

State Bar of California Pro Bono Service Award

A weekly family law clinic run mostly by UCI Law students was recognized with a 2013 President's Pro Bono Service Award from the State Bar of California for helping nearly 300 clients since 2012 who would not otherwise have access to family law assistance.

Western Center on Law & Poverty Advocates’ Award

UC Irvine School of Law won The Advocates’ Award from the Western Center on Law & Poverty for the work of pro bono and clinical students. UCI Law students were instrumental in helping the Western Center and its legal aid partners investigate Orange County's General Relief program and eventually win a consent decree in Mankinen v. County of Orange that revised county standards and procedures for General Relief cash aid.

State Bar of California Wiley W. Manuel Certificate

The Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services was created in 1989 to recognize the contributions of the many lawyers, law students, paralegals and secretaries in California who volunteer their time and expertise on behalf of low-income clients. Each year, large numbers of UCI Law students meet and often exceed the minimum 50 hours of pro bono service needed to earn the recognition.