Question #1: What is your favorite time of year? Why?
-Tara Casey, Associate Clinical Professor, University of Richmond School of Law
Late March/early April: it is right before course registration for the following year, so talking with students about the future and seeing their excitement and feeling that so much is so open to them and they are the captains of it is so wonderful. Also during that time, the 3Ls are seeing the finish line and allowing themselves to relax and bathe in the enthusiasm. As graduation approaches, anxiety about the future and the bar exam starts to creep in, but late March/early April they allow themselves (whether knowingly or not) to feel pride for what they have accomplished.
-Liz Ryan Cole, Professor Emerita, Vermont Law School
Love it all!
-Anna Davis, Director of Pro Bono Programs, UC Irvine School of Law
October or February. The semesters are in full swing, students are busy on pro bono projects and the insanity of the semester has calmed down.
-Ted De Barbieri, Associate Professor, Albany Law School
Fall, when the students get back to campus.
-Jill Friedman, Associate Dean, Pro Bono and Public Interest, Rutgers Law School
The start of the second semester is exciting. The 1Ls feel much more a part of things, the summer internship season comes to life, our thoughts turn to fellowships, our pro bono projects are in overdrive, and school is warm and cozy while “the weather outside is frightful.”
-Joan Heminway, Rick Rose Distinguished Professor of Law, The University of Tennessee College of Law
In August, just as the school year begins. I am pretty sure it has something to do with it nabbing a time of renewal and hope. Perhaps it even relates back to my excitement about the new year as a student.
-David Johnson, Assistant Dean for Pro Bono & Advocacy Programs, GW Law
Summer; I can go on vacation!
-Virgie Mouton, Asst. Dean for Student Development, Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Tie (2) 1L Orientation and Graduation. Students are so happy and full of energy when they start law school as well as when they graduate from law school
-Pamela Robinson, Director, Pro Bono Program, University of South Carolina
Beginning of the Spring semester. The 1L’s have enough law school under their belt that they realize that they can fit pro bono into their schedule. The 2l’s are just going to be busy all year! 3L’s are facing some serious job hunting and often need to spruce up their resume’s. The combination makes for a busy, energetic and engaging time of the year.
-Angela Schultz, Assistant Dean for Public Service, Marquette Law School
Fall because everyone is new and fresh and excited to get going.
-Anne Sexton, Assistant Director of Public Interest; University of Minnesota Law School
Fall – it’s exciting to start a new year!
-Michelle Takagishi-Almeida, Director – Public Service Program, Southwestern Law School
May: offers the most availability for reflection, program assessment and (re)designing. Also, is a reenergizing time as students head into full-time summer clerk programs, trainings, and community events scheduled from May – August. Wonderful opporunities to be information sharing/exchanging.
-Jen Tschirch, Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs, Georgetown Law
I really enjoy the time leading up to graduation. We hold an annual reception called Public Interest Proud, which recognizes students’ efforts in the pro bono/public interest realm. It’s a fun, inspirational event and a nice opportunity to celebrate their hard work. It’s also gratifying to see how excited students are at Commencement to proudly wear the honor cords they earned for completing our Pro Bono Pledge!
-Eliza Vorenberg, Director of Pro Bono & Community Partnerships, Director Pro Bono Collaborative Roger Williams University School of Law
Beginning. New group of students in the building, a sense of excitement and renewal.
-Kiva Zytnick, Pro Bono Coordinator, CUA Law
The beginning of fall semester. Lots of enthusiasm and fresh energy!