Gonzaga University School of Law, as part of its mission to educate the whole person to serve the public good, is dedicated to supporting student participation in pro bono and public service opportunities. The Center for Civil and Human Rights oversees programs which support the student in pro bono and public service work, as well as provides opportunities to students.
All Gonzaga University School of Law students must complete a minimum of 30 hours of public service for graduation. In addition, Gonzaga’s Pro Bono Distinction program recognizes students who have dedicated themselves to additional pro bono service. For more information on the required public service hours or the Pro Bono Distinction program, please see the Gonzaga University School of Law’s Student Handbook.
How to Report Zags in Public Service (ZIPS) Hours
Fill out the Zags in Public Service (ZIPS) Form. Please submit your ZIPS Form via the Microsoft Forms page ZIPS Form Upload (Zags in Public Service) We no longer accept the forms physically or via email. Please make a copy for your records.
Pro Bono Opportunities
Pro bono service is defined as providing law-related services, under the direct supervision of an attorney, for which the student does not receive academic credit or pay (including work-study, grant, fellowship, or scholarship money) to:
- a non-profit organization or government entity
- a lawyer or law firm providing services that comport with Rule 6.1 of the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct, “Voluntary Pro Bono Public Service”
- pro bono service projects coordinated by Gonzaga’s Center for Civil and Human Rights
Gonzaga’s University Legal Assistance clinic or an externship placement in excess of the work hours required for credit
an entity that a student works for in compliance with the terms of a grant or scholarship, in excess of the terms of service required for the grant or scholarship, if the work otherwise meets one of the requirements above
Pro bono projects and opportunities available for law students:
Public Service Opportunities
“Public service” is broadly interpreted. It encompasses traditional pro bono legal work, but can also be satisfied by any of the following activities, so long as the student receives no compensation:
- Volunteering at a nonprofit charitable, civic or community organization (law or non-law related)
- Assisting an attorney or law firm on a pro bono case
- Any work over & above your required Externship or University Legal Assistance (Clinic) hours
- Serving at a public agency