USC Law School pairs students, pro bono attorneys

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The University of South Carolina’s School of Law is starting a new program that pairs law students with attorneys who work with clients who can’t afford to pay for their services.

Law School Dean Robert Wilcox said Thursday the new program places second and third-year law students as clerks with attorneys working on pro-bono cases.

Wilcox says the program reinforces students’ legal education by helping them understand the importance of offering legal services to all members of a community, whether the clients can afford those services or not.

The students, who will be known as Carolina Clerks, will assist attorneys with the research and drafting of legal documents. They will not be paid or get any course credit for their work and may assist only on pro bono cases.