Baylor Law School’s work to provide legal services to underserved communities in Central Texas is being honored by the State Bar of Texas.
The State Bar of Texas and its Legal Services to the Poor in Civil Matters Committee has selected Baylor Law School as the recipient of the 2014 W. Frank Newton Award. According to the state bar and the committee, Baylor Law was honored for its “truly exceptional” commitment to the “provision of legal services to the poor.”
Baylor Law School will be recognized at the Bar Leaders Reception Luncheon at the State Bar Annual Meeting in Austin on June 26.
The W. Frank Newton Award recognizes the pro bono contribution of attorney groups, including law school faculty, whose members have made an outstanding contribution in the provision of, or access to, legal services to the poor. The award is named for W. Frank Newton, former dean of Texas Tech University School of Law and long time pro bono advocate.
“At Baylor Law School, our mission is to develop in our students a sense of commitment to service and leadership within the legal profession and community as well as to ensure meaningful public access to our system of justice," said Baylor Law Dean Brad Toben.
Under the guidance of faculty members, Baylor Law has created an immigration clinic and a military veterans’ assistance clinic. Students also have an opportunity to serve the community on an individual basis. This individual-focused program is called the Pro Bono and Public Service Program. The work includes both public interest (government, prosecutors, public defenders, direct services, law reform, public interest law firms, and judicial internships) and community service. Since the program’s inception, students have performed more that 2,300 hours of service.