Law Students Donate $157 Million in Pro Bono Work
The Class of 2026 contributed more than 4.3 million hours of free legal services, according to a survey of 110 law schools.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Law students in the Class of 2026 donated more than $157 million in pro bono legal services, totaling over 4.3 million hours. The Association of American Law Schools released the survey findings, which covered 110 law schools and 22,249 students.
Why it matters
The donated work provides free legal help to people who may otherwise go without representation, including in areas with few attorneys. Many law schools emphasize serving clients in these legal deserts as part of their training.
The survey reports 4.3 million donated hours, an average of 197 per student across 22,249 students at 110 schools, valued at $36.14 an hour. Its reach covers about 58% of the Class of 2026 in ABA-accredited schools, and the total is not yet established for the full class.
The players
Association of American Law Schools
The Association of American Law Schools is a membership organization of law schools in the United States that conducts surveys and research on legal education.
University of Nebraska College of Law
The University of Nebraska College of Law is a public law school that operates a Rural Estate Planning Clinic providing free estate-planning services to rural seniors.
The details
Law students provide free estate-planning services through clinics, externships, and fellowships, and some schools offer remote pro bono opportunities. The survey has reported more than $1 billion in legal services contributions over the past decade.
Timeline
Fall 2026: The survey of 110 law schools was conducted.
November 6, 2026: The Association of American Law Schools released the survey report on Friday.
Market Landscape
The AALS survey has tracked more than $1 billion in legal services contributions over the past decade, and this year's $157 million figure continues that sustained pattern of student-provided pro bono work. The result shows law schools maintaining a steady, measurable role in providing free legal help rather than a one-time surge.
Individuals who need free legal help on matters such as estate planning may find pro bono services available through law school clinics and externships. Residents in rural areas can check whether a nearby law school runs a clinic that offers these services.
The takeaway
Law school pro bono work is a measurable, recurring source of free legal help, and checking local law school clinics is a practical starting point for anyone seeking low-cost legal assistance. The scale of donated time underscores how much legal access depends on students and their schools.
Further reading
For more on how charitable giving and volunteer service are measured, explore Philanthropy coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABA Journal - Law News Now.
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