Sixteen members of the class of 2020 were recognized April 17 for completing Vanderbilt Law School’s Pro Bono Pledge, through which students commit to complete at least 75 hours of pro bono legal work and community service during their law school careers. At least 50 of those hours must be served in law-related activities and at least ten hours must be performed in Nashville. The program is administrated by the Office of Public Interest Law.
“The Pro Bono Pledge is a voluntary program through which students commit to dedicate a portion of their time during law school to unpaid legal and service work,” said Assistant Dean for Public Interest Spring Miller, whose office administers the program. “The purpose of the Pledge is to encourage every student to do volunteer legal work and recognize those who dedicate significant time to unpaid work during law school.”
Collectively, VLS students logged a total of 3,523 pro bono and community service hours during the 2019-20 academic year.
Members of the Class of 2020 who completed the Pro Bono Pledge include:
- Muna Abdallah
- Amber Banks
- Marissa Barbalato
- Willoe DeFuccio
- Alexandra Eason
- Randy Hiroshige (MTS’20)
- Christina Jeffcoat
- Taylor Knowles
- William Ladd
- Erin Malapit
- Cameron McCoig
- Joshua Minchin
- Lucas Paez
- Joseph Sanford
- Chris Scribner
- Victor (Yu) Wu
Amber Banks was recognized for working the highest number of pro bono hours—611—during her three years at VLS. Willoe DeFuccio and Joe Sanford have been selected for the prestigious Gideon’s
Six members of the Class of 2021 have already fulfilled the Pro Bono Pledge. They include
- Emily Slifkin
- Eunice Lim
- Julia Foley
- Kira Benton
- Mikkaela Salamatin
- Vel Lewis
Two members of the Class of 2022 completed the Pro Bono Pledge as first-year law students. They include:
- Jackson Hill
- Miles Malbrough
Eunice Lim ’21 and Jackson Hill ’22 were recognized for logging the most pro bono hours in their classes; Lim has worked 299 during her first two years of law school, and Hill worked 99 hours as a 1L.
“I want to thank these students and all student who engaged in pro bono work for helping to keep a vibrant culture of service thriving here at VLS,” Miller said. “I know they will carry a spirit of service into their legal careers.”
