School's pro bono program profiled in national publication
Excerpted from a story in The National Law Journal

MAY 16, 2005 -- Charleston School of Law has joined a small but growing number of law schools across the country that require would-be lawyers to complete pro bono work before graduation.

Charleston opened last fall and is seeking accreditation by the American Bar Association. The South Carolina school, which will require its students to volunteer 30 hours of legal services before receiving their diplomas, has joined schools that include such a requirement.

Charleston's new pro bono requirement is a way for students to help people in the region, part of the mission of the school, said Richard Gershon, the school's dean. It also will enable students to network with other lawyers in the area, he said.

"It means that the students have to be out there in the profession," he said….

Charleston's 30-hour requirement is one that "won't be too onerous," Gershon said, adding that he expected many students to give more time than the minimum.

The law school also is calling for its faculty, which consists of 12 members, to volunteer 30 hours of their time annually. Gershon said it was important for faculty members to set an example of volunteerism.

Charleston's program, administered through the school's career services office, will bring a sizeable amount of free legal help to the South Carolina community, Gershon said.

"That's 30 hours times 200 students," he said.