The Foundation launched the Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge on Jan. 7. Using an online platform to match students with alumni mentors, Florida’s 12 law schools will compete to see which can take the most pro bono cases during the spring semester.

“A core part of the Foundation’s mission is to promote public service among lawyers by making it an integral part of the law school experience,” Claud B. Nelson III, pro bono program director, said. “By connecting students with alumni to partner on a pro bono case from a legal aid organization, we hope to inspire both to continue volunteering as pro bono lawyers.”

At FloridaLawSchoolChallenge.org, students use a new, cutting-edge interactive platform developed by SavvySuit to pick a pro bono case and be matched with an alumni mentor. Cases posted by legal aid organizations on FloridaProBonoMatters.org will populate the law school challenge site.

The law schools with the most student and alumni participation will be recognized at The Florida Bar’s annual convention in June.

“With more than 6,000 law students in Florida having access to available pro bono cases and mentors at their fingertips, we hope to see a noticeable increase in the number of cases being taken,” Nelson said.

“Florida’s most vulnerable populations – the elderly, the poor, children – will have more lawyers and advocates in their corner.”

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name.