Nineteen members of the Class of 2024 were recognized in April 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 administered by the Public Interest Office.
Emma Harrison received special recognition for volunteering 1,026 hours of pro bono service during her time at Vanderbilt Law. Harrison will work as a Public Defender in the Nashville Defenders Office.
Collectively, Vanderbilt Law students reported a total of 5,041 pro bono and community service hours through the Pro Bono Pledge program during summer 2023, fall 2023,and spring 2024. Students also perform thousands of hours of pro bono legal work each year in Nashville through summer and semester externships with local government offices, district attorneys and public defenders, and legal nonprofits, and through their work in the Woodbine Legal Clinic, the Shade Tree Clinic, and other Law School programs.
Four members of the Class of 2024 were recognized for completing the Law School’s Pro Bono Pledge in 2023 and again in 2024:
- Alissa Osberg
- Emma Harrison
- Grace Su
- Morgan Peck
Fifteen members of the graduating Class of 2024 completed the Pro Bono Pledge during law school, either in their 2L or 3L year:
- Brady Morris
- Connor Rasmussen (2023)
- Falynn Dunkelberger
- Hannah Zhuang (2023)
- Jared Bauman (2023)
- Joseph Vettiankal (2023)
- Madeline Claire Thompson (2023)
- Madeline Moriarty (2023)
- Natalia Wurst
- Patience Tyne (2023)
- Rafaela Valderrama (2023)
- Ruiying Yang (LL.M.)
- Taylor Lawing
- Tiffany Thomas
- Victoria Schmit (2023)
Five members of the Class of 2025 completed the Pro Bono Pledge during this academic year:
- Ashley Good
- Chris Cao
- Grace Hayes
- Katie Graham
- Rachel Lester
“The Pro Bono Pledge is a voluntary program through which students commit to dedicate a portion of their time during law school to Pro Bono Service,” said Assistant Dean for Public Interest Beth Cruz, whose office administers the program. “The purpose of the Pledge is to encourage every student to use their legal skills for the greater good during law school and beyond. I want to thank these graduates and students for supporting the vibrant culture of service thriving in the law school community.”
