Looking for ways to serve during the holiday season, winter months, or any time of the year? Here are 10 different options for giving back to Utah Law.
Help students practice for interviews and prepare for careers
We regularly need alumni to conduct mock interviews or host a career panel or workshop. The Career Development Office (CDO) schedules interview skills workshops, resumé and cover letter sessions, and other presentations for students throughout the year and always welcomes help from alumni and local law firms.
You can also meet future employees by setting up and staffing a table at one of CDO’s career fairs throughout the school year. Students can learn more about your firm and what you like best about your job, and it’s an easy way to connect with both future attorneys and other alumni.
Serve as a competition judge
Law students participate in a variety of moot court competitions and appreciate insights from the alumni who judge student rounds and help them prepare for the finals.
Participate in continuing legal education (CLE) events
Utah Law frequently offers Utah State Bar CLE credit for attorneys who attend live events. You can help by attending and sharing these events and can also host one yourself or join a panel of legal experts.
The College of Law also offers self-study CLE through the YouTube video archive and posts videos of many events there as a service to the legal community.
Donate to the CDO clothing closet
Since summer 2022, the Career Development Office has offered a closet with professional clothing and accessories for law students—and CDO Career Counselor Amanda Barr points out that the resource is also available to faculty and staff.
“If you need a suit for an interview, or if you spill something on your tie or blouse and just need a change of clothes for the day, the clothing closet can really come in handy,” Barr says. “If people plan to borrow the items, they can return them to the brown bins on the rack so they can be cleaned. You can also request sewing kits, stain remover, razors, a steamer, lint rollers and static cling spray in the CDO suite.”
CDO recently received a $2,500 grant to add more sizes and gender-inclusive options to the clothing closet and always welcomes professional clothing and accessories in all sizes and styles (make sure they’re clean and in good condition).
Contribute to the Utah Law food pantry
As part of the University of Utah’s initiative to expand the Feed U Pantry’s resources across campus, Utah Law opened a food pantry in 2021. Due to increased demand, however, Feed U Pantry can’t sustain the Utah Law pantry, so we rely on community donations to continue offering food to students, staff, and faculty in need.
“The pantry is a vital resource for College of Law members experiencing food insecurity. By alleviating this burden, it enables individuals to focus on their academic, professional, and personal responsibilities without the stress of worrying about their next meal,” says Natasha Carlton, associate director of student advising and activities, who manages the food pantry. “While non-perishable food donations are always welcomed, financial donations allow the pantry to address its most urgent needs and buy items that are often in short supply or unavailable through regular donations.”
Visit the Utah Law food pantry website to contribute.
Join one of Utah Law’s boards
Alumni of all ages can apply to be part of a board at the College of Law. The Young Alumni Association (YAA) Board helps those who graduated within the past decade to stay connected and offers resources as they begin their careers. The Alumni Board of Trustees organizes fundraising events, advocates for the College of Law, and organizes an annual spring alumni event.
To get involved with one of the boards, email the alumni relations team.
Volunteer with the Pro Bono Initiative
The Pro Bono Initiative (PBI) allows students to provide free brief legal consultations throughout Utah while working directly with attorneys and other legal professionals. PBI offers monthly events for Gail Miller Resource Center and Utah State Correctional Facility residents and partners with other community organizations.
Supervising students is a unique way to give back and meet students and a variety of people in the area.
“Volunteering at PBI goes beyond serving the community. It’s also an incredible opportunity to mentor students and guide them into becoming kind, compassionate, and resilient attorneys. Plus, you’re never there alone,” says PBI Director Caisa Royer. “It’s a lot of fun to chat and network with the other attorney volunteers, many of whom are alumni themselves.”
PBI’s immigration law and family law programs need volunteers most, as well as attorneys to provide civil legal services at the Utah State Correctional Facility.
Connect with the College of Law on social media
We frequently share student, alumni and faculty profiles, media mentions, news about CLE presentations, and photos and videos of different events at the law school. Social media is a great way to stay informed and also cheer on those you know when they’re featured.
Read and share feedback about Res Gestae
The alumni magazine Res Gestae is published quarterly online and includes features about alumni and faculty, stories about classes and clinics, and other news about Utah Law. You can also read the Class Notes section each fall and In Memoriam in the winter to both recognize colleagues’ accomplishments and honor those who’ve passed away.
We are always looking for Res Gestae story ideas and feedback. Share your accomplishments (or a classmate’s accomplishments) through the Class Notes submission form, and email the communications team about great alums we should spotlight.
Support the Dean’s Annual Fund
Donate now to the Dean’s Annual Fund, which empowers Dean Elizabeth Kronk Warner to allocate resources where they can have the greatest impact. The Board of Trustees will also double the first $40,000 in donations.