The board of the UNC School of Law Pro Bono Program awarded the 2022 recipients of the Pro Bono Publico Awards at the annual Pro Bono Celebration Thursday, April 7. Graduating students with more than 75 pro bono hours were recognized as was the Class of 2022 for reaching 100 percent participation in pro bono projects. This is the fifth year in a row that the graduating class has reached 100 percent participation. The Class of 2022 completed more than 11,000 hours of pro bono services over the past three years.
“This year was a remarkable one for the Pro Bono Program. Not only have our students continued to show an extraordinary commitment to serving others but they have done it throughout another challenging year for our school and community, said Director of Pro Bono Initiatives Allison Standard Constance ’09. “We are truly grateful for our partners new and old who continue to provide opportunities for our students to engage in pro bono work, to build community, and to build skills for practice. It is heartwarming to see our students show passion, commitment, and a deep understanding of their obligation to use their skills to help others.”
This year a new award was given to the student who logged more than 1,000 pro bono hours during their three years as a law student.
This year’s award recipients included:
- Sylvia K. Novinsky Award – Jaaznaiah Catterall 3L
- 3L Student of the Year – J Hallen 3L
- 2L Student of the Year – Kate Giduz 2L
- 1L Student of the Year – Deonta Woods 1L
- Group Pro Bono Project of the Year – Death Penalty Project, led by Isabel Rose 2L and Kate Shurtleff 2L
- Faculty Member of the Year – Holning Lau, Willie Person Mangum Distinguished Professor of Law
- Alumnus of the Year – Stephen Robin ’18, Sherman & Howard
- Partner/Organization of the Year – Legal Aid of North Carolina Statewide Expunction Project led by Josh Cox
- 1000 Hour Award –Megan Kahane 3L
Learn more about the awards criteria.
Allison Standard Constance ’09 Receives the Robert E. Bryan Public Service Award
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recognized Allison Standard Constance, UNC School of Law’s director of pro bono initiatives, for exemplifying outstanding engagement and service to the state of North Carolina.
Constance accepted the award during the 23rd annual Public Service Awards on April 12, 2022 presented by the Carolina Center for Public Service. Ten Carolina faculty, staff, students and organizations received awards.
Constance was recognized for her leadership and direction of the Pro Bono Initiative at Carolina Law where she advises the student-led Pro Bono Board and coordinates and supervises students working on pro bono projects. For the fifth year in a row, Carolina Law’s graduating class has reached 100 percent participation. The Class of 2022 has completed more than 11,000 hours of pro bono services during the past three years.
Constance’s projects reach across North Carolina and focus on low-income and rural areas that historically lack access to legal representation. One example is the Expunction Project in collaboration with Legal Aid of North Carolina. This initiative assists clients from every county in the state. Additionally, Constance has coordinated trips for students to engage in pro bono projects across the state, including drafting wills and power of attorney documents in Morganton, Hickory, and Lenoir; working on housing and evictions issues in Charlotte; and helping veterans in Asheville with discharge upgrades get better medical benefits.
Constance also provides pro bono assistance with Driver’s License Restoration, where she writes monthly advice letters to people who have requested information about the status of their licenses. She also coordinates the Juvenile Justice Project, a collaboration with NC Prisoner Legal Services, where she acts as the supervising attorney to students while representing clients who have been convicted of serious offenses for their parole reviews.
Learn more about the Center for Public Service Awards.
