About Pro Bono in January

About
Pro Bono in January (PBJ) is a new student organization at the University of Texas School of Law. 

Vision Statement 
Our vision: UT Law students will have the opportunity to participate in meaningful pro bono work through a week-long service trip each January, during the law school's winter break.

Support
PBJ works closely with the William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law at UT Law, which helps support our trips through generous funding and logistical assistance. Tina Fernandez, the Pro Bono Coordinator of the William Wayne Justice Center, works closely with PBJ students and has been instrumental in organizing our 2010 trips.

Leadership
Pro Bono in January was formed in the fall of 2009 through the dedication of a small group of committed students.

PBJ Steering Committee

• Leanne Heine ('11), Coordinator
• Shannon Sims ('11), Coordinator
• John Rhoads ('11), Trip Logistics Chair
• Lindzi Timberlake ('11), Recruiting Chair
• Leah Farrell ('11), Funding Chair

Trip Leaders, PBJ 2010: Rio Grande Valley

• Shannon Sims ('11), Coordinator & ProBar Liaison
  
• Leanne Heine ('11), Coordinator & TRLA Liason
  
• John Rhoads ('11), Logistics Coordinator & TRLA Liaison
  
• Lawson Konvalinka ('11), TCRP Liason
  
• Tracey Bamberger ('11), Tshirts & TCRP Liaison
  
• Lisa Hart ('11), T-shirts & Photography
  
• Nick Solish ('10), Social Coordinator
  
• Katy Rosenberg ('10), Social Coordinator

Trip Leaders, PBJ 2010: Houston

• Lindzi Timberlake ('11)
  
• Nita Garg ('11)
  

Student Liaisons to Partner Organizations

• Houston Volunteer Lawyers Association (HVLA) Liaisons: Lindzi Timberlake ('11) and Nita Garg ('11)
  
• Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) Liaisons: Adriana Rodriguez ('11) and Shannon Sims ('11)
• Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) Liaisons: Tracey Bamburger ('11) and Lawson Konvalinka ('11)
• Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (TRLA) Liaisons: Leanne Heine ('11) and John Rhoads ('11)  

--> Contact PBJ

Images from the 2009 Pro Bono Trip

In January 2009, the William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law at the University of Texas School of Law sponsored a legal community service trip to the hurricane-ravaged Gulfport/Biloxi area of Mississippi. About 30 University of Texas law students spent a week of their winter break working with local nonprofit organizations: the Mississippi Center for Justice. Following this trip, a group of students formed the UT Law student organization Pro Bono in January, with the mission of working with the William Wayne Justice Center to plan a UT Law student pro bono trip each January. Find out more about the 2009 Pro Bono trip to the Gulf Coast here.

Jan. 12, 2009: Guided by leaders of the  and community leaders, UT Law students survey the damage caused to historical structures in the community of Soria City, in Gulfport, Mississippi.

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1/15/09: UT Law students enjoying a final dinner with Soria City community members.

 

Welcome to the Pro Bono in January (PBJ) blog!

Pro Bono in January (PBJ) is a student organization at the University of Texas School of Law. With the assistance of the William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law, we are planning 2 pro bono trips for UT Law students to different communities in Texas during the law school's winter break.

Please stay tuned for more updates about our trip plans, how to apply, and what to expect this winter, January 10, 2010- January 16, 2010! Additionally, you can subscribe to this blog to keep up with PBJ plans (see the bottom of the right column).