KU Law students make 2024 honor roll for pro bono service

LAWRENCE – Forty-five University of Kansas School of Law students provided more than 1,580 hours of free legal services during the 2023-2024 academic year, with 26 of them earning a spot on KU Law’s Pro Bono Honor Roll.

The students’ services included working for legal aid offices like Kansas Legal Services and Legal Aid of Western Missouri, prosecutor’s offices including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Disability Rights Center of Kansas and the U.S. Department of the Interior. Students also represented individuals in the KU Court of Parking Appeals, prepared tax returns for members of the community and served as court-appointed special advocates for children in foster care.

“Lawyers have special responsibilities to our clients and society,” said Meredith Schnug, clinical associate professor and associate director of the Legal Aid Clinic. “By engaging in pro bono service, law students have a unique opportunity to serve their community while gaining valuable hands-on experience.”

KU Law defines pro bono work as uncompensated, law-related work that benefits the public, such as through a nonprofit organization or government agency.

Last year, the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) established a Pro Bono Honor Roll. Schools within the AALS may nominate and recognize one student annually for this honor. This year, KU Law nominated Kylie Hance, Class of 2025. In her time at KU Law, Hance has completed more than 394 hours of pro bono service by participating in the law school’s expungement clinic, traffic court and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Last summer, she devoted her time to serving Kansans through the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic at Kansas Legal Services.

“My pro bono opportunities helped me discover an interest in tax law,” Hance said. “It is important work that allows people to have access to services they would not otherwise receive. I hope to continue to be involved in other pro bono work as I move forward in law school and my career.”

The following students completed 15 hours or more of pro bono service during the 2023-2024 academic year. Students are listed by name, graduation year and hometown:

·       Cecilia Bailey, 2025, Springfield, Missouri

·       Elm Beck, 2024, Kansas City, Kansas

·       Kaitlyn Cairns, 2025, Andover

·       Dane Caster, 2025, Inman

·       Kate Duggan, 2025, Overland Park

·       Emily Featherston, 2024, Overland Park

·       Matt Firnhaber, 2024, Olathe

·       Matthew Goldhammer, 2026, Salina

·       Shannon Greene, 2024, McLouth

·       Kylie Hance, 2025, Leawood

·       Keegan Heany Fredrick, 2026, Fredericksburg, Virginia

·       Rachel Holt, 2026, Omaha, Nebraska

·       Will James, 2025, St. Charles, Missouri

·       Skylee James, 2025, San Diego, California

·       Keirn Kinnan, 2026, Lenexa

·       Hayley Koontz, 2024, Benton

·       Grace Lahr, 2025, Scottsdale, Arizona

·       Jude Lane, 2026, Siloam Springs, Arkansas

·       Caitlin McPartland, 2024, Prairie Village

·       Evan Norkey, 2026, Olathe

·       Liz Oltjen, 2026, Leawood

·       Bethany Pace-Danley, 2024, Denver, Colorado

·       Gabby Phillips, 2025, Norwich

·       Josie Pennington, 2024, Neosho, Missouri

·       Kathleen Rothfelder, 2025, Westminster, Maryland

·       Tanya Singh, 2025, Manhattan

In addition, 17 students were honored with Pro Bono Distinction for completing 50 hours or more of pro bono service throughout their law school career. Collectively, members of the Class of 2024 completed 2,436 hours of pro bono service during their time in law school.

Students who received Pro Bono Distinction were recognized at the law school’s Hooding Ceremony on May 11:

·       Vincent Amiri, 2024, Leawood

·       Elm Beck, 2024, Kansas City, Kansas

·       Brooke Brownlee, 2024, Shawnee

·       Jc Carter, 2024, St. Charles, Missouri

·       Emily Featherston, 2024, Overland Park

·       Matthew Firnhaber, 2024, Olathe

·       Jamie Gallagher, 2024, Oak Lawn, Illinois

·       Emily Gay, 2024, Grimes, Iowa

·       Shannon Greene, 2024, McLouth

·       Hayley Koontz, 2024, Benton

·       CyLeigh Maroney, 2024, Guthrie, Oklahoma

·       Caitlin McPartland, 2024, Prairie Village

·       Bethany Pace-Danley, 2024, Denver, Colorado

·       Josie Pennington, 2024, Neosho, Missouri

·       Makaela Stevens, 2024, Scott City

·       Chloe Thompson, 2024, Dodge City

·       Alden Vogel, 2024, Lenexa