3Ls donated over $178M of pro bono legal work in 2025, new survey shows
More than $178 million of legal services were contributed by the law school class of 2025 via legal clinics, experiential courses, externships and other pro bono activities. (Image from Shutterstock)
More than $178 million of legal services were contributed by the law school class of 2025 via legal clinics, experiential courses, externships and other pro bono activities, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Association of American Law Schools.
In December, the survey found that 22,336 law students in the class of 2025 worked more than 5.1 million hours in legal services—or about an average of 230 hours each—according to a Feb. 18 press release.
Estimated worth at $34.79 per hour by the Independent Sector, a nonprofit organization coalition, that’s an estimate in excess of $178 million, according to the press release.
Many schools reported that some hours were uncounted or difficult to track, suggesting that actual contributions were likely higher, according to the press release.
“Legal education prepares students for a wide range of meaningful and effective careers,” said Kellye Y. Testy, the CEO of the Association of American Law Schools, in the press release. “These efforts play a vital role in expanding access to justice in many underserved communities, including rural areas, where legal needs too often go unmet, strengthening both the profession and the communities law schools serve.”
The 108 law schools represent about 60% of last year’s graduating class in ABA-accredited law schools, according to the press release. Students in law school master’s degree programs, such as LLM programs, were not included in the survey.
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