Project Supervisor Requirements
Project supervisors must be attorneys, law faculty members, or other licensed professionals with the ability to sufficiently train student volunteers. Before working with students, supervisors must review the Pro Bono Program Project Guidelines and sign a commitment to adhere to the same. Supervisors are expected to abide by the guidelines and inform the Pro Bono Program Director if issues arise.
Project Supervisor Responsibilities
Attorney supervisors must provide the training and supervision necessary for student volunteers to effectively complete their projects. Upon project completion, supervisors may also be required to submit an evaluation of the student's work and of the Pro Bono Program's assistance.
Student Training
Training must be conducted by an attorney with sufficient expertise in the subject area. Pro bono project proposals must explain any training offered to student volunteers. The information on student training should explain:
- What knowledge and skills are necessary to complete the project;
- Who will train the student volunteers;
- What materials will be used for training sessions; and
- Where and for how long the training sessions will occur.
Individual supervisors should ensure that students have received appropriate training before beginning their pro bono projects. Supervisors are responsible for providing any supplemental training required and should remain accessible to provide guidance throughout the duration of the project.
Student Supervision
Supervisors must institute clear expectations for students' pro bono work and should communicate these expectations to the student before beginning the project. Expectations should clarify:
- A time frame for completing the project;
- Relevant deadlines for different phases of the project;
- A preferred method of communication between student and supervisor; and
- A schedule for students to provide project updates.
Exit Evaluations
Exit evaluations vary according to the type of project. Supervisors of projects that are a single event are not required to evaluate individual students. Supervisors of longer projects may be required to complete an exit interview with each student participant. These supervisors may also be required to submit a written evaluation to the Pro Bono Director. This evaluation allows the supervisor to comment on student performance and to evaluate the assistance provided by the Pro Bono Program. Supervisors are requested to complete the written evaluation and exit interview within two weeks of project completion.
