The NCCU Law Pro Bono Clinic provides law students with meaningful, hands-on legal experience through attorney-supervised legal service projects that help expand access to justice. Through partnerships, the Clinic connects students with opportunities to serve the community while developing practical lawyering skills and professional judgment.
The Pro Bono Clinic
Message from the Clinic Director
Welcome to the NCCU Law Pro Bono Clinic!
The Pro Bono Clinic advances access to justice while providing students with meaningful, hands-on legal experience. Through partnerships with attorneys, courts, nonprofits, and community organizations, our law students help address critical legal needs while developing the skills, professionalism, and judgment necessary for effective lawyering.
By combining service, innovation, and experiential learning, we strive to deliver high-quality legal assistance to underserved communities and prepare the next generation of client-centered advocates.
We invite students, alumni, attorneys, and community partners to join us in this important work.
Sincerely,
Lakethia G. Jefferies
Clinic Director and Supervising Attorney
Student Information
The Pro Bono Clinic is open to all NCCU Law students and offers flexible opportunities to gain practical legal experience while serving the community.
Info Accordions
Students may participate in a variety of projects, including:
- Legal advice and intake clinics
- Wills and estate planning
- Housing and tenant advocacy
- Domestic violence complaint drafting assistance
- Expunction and second-chance initiatives
- Community legal education
- Technology-enabled legal services
- Flexible participation throughout the academic year.
- Project-specific training and attorney supervision.
- Opportunities to develop practical lawyering skills, professionalism, and ethical judgment.
- Pro bono hours that count toward law school, bar, and professional recognition programs.
Some projects may require additional training or have limited enrollment based on client needs and attorney availability.
Through participation in the Pro Bono Clinic, law students develop practical lawyering skills, professional judgment, and a commitment to public service.
Law students will:
- Work on real legal matters under the supervision of licensed attorneys.
- Conduct legal research and apply substantive law to address client and community needs.
- Interview clients, gather information, and communicate effectively with clients, attorneys, and community partners.
- Analyze legal issues and assist with drafting client-centered legal documents, forms, and educational materials.
- Develop professionalism, ethical judgment, and cultural competence.
- Collaborate with attorneys, courts, nonprofit organizations, and community agencies.
- Utilize technology and innovative service models to expand access to justice.
Through these experiences, students gain meaningful exposure to the practice of law while strengthening the skills, values, and professional identity necessary for effective and service-oriented legal practice.
- Open to all enrolled NCCU Law students in good academic standing.
- No GPA requirement or prior clinic/externship experience required.
- Completion of required orientations and project-specific trainings.
- Students must work under attorney supervision and may not provide legal advice independently.
- Compliance with clinic policies, confidentiality requirements, and professional conduct rules is required.
Potential Client Information
The NCCU Law Pro Bono Clinic does not provide direct legal representation to the public. Instead, law students work under the supervision of licensed attorneys on community-based legal service initiatives through partnerships with legal aid, courts, nonprofit agencies, and the Clinic’s signature programs. Through these efforts, students help address unmet legal needs while gaining valuable hands-on legal experience and a deeper commitment to public service.
Info Accordions
Through our established partnerships, students may participate in a variety of pro bono initiatives and community-based legal service projects including but not limited to:
- Wills and estate planning (Elder Law Project)
- Housing advice and tenant advocacy
- Expunction and second-chance services
- Domestic violence complaint drafting
- Free legal answers (online legal advice)
- Community legal education programs
- Low-income individuals and families
- Older adults and seniors
Clinic Highlights
Info Accordions
The 2023 NCBA Student Group Pro Bono Award was awarded by the North Carolina Bar Association for the Elder Law Project, recognizing outstanding student-led service to older adults through strong community partnership.
NCCU was recognized for a cross-institutional expunction initiative in collaboration with Duke University School of Law and University of North Carolina School of Law, expanding access to record-clearing services through collective impact.
The Clinic has been recognized by the Association of American Law Schools for its innovative use of technology to deliver pro bono legal services, including work supported through the Gavel platform, demonstrating how legal tech can responsibly expand access to justice.
Contact Information
Info Accordions
For questions about clinic services, eligibility, appointments, or volunteer opportunities, please contact the NCCU Law Pro Bono Clinic:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 919-530-7166
We are committed to providing professional, community-centered service and responding to inquiries in a timely manner.