MONTGOMERY, Ala. – One of Thomas Goode Jones School of Law’s most recent graduates, Lauren James, was recently awarded the Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Award for her extensive public service work.
The award for the Law Student Category was presented to James (Faulkner Law C/O 2019) at the Alabama State Bar Meeting in July. James is also an alumna of Faulkner University.
James finds that service to others and her community is one of the highest callings of being a lawyer. Pro bono service provides free legal aid to low-income people needing assistance with basic necessities.
“The legal profession is one that calls upon lawyers to render service,” James said. “Serving others is the essence of being a lawyer. When I serve, I get the privilege of walking alongside someone and helping them during their time of need.”
James has participated in numerous public service and pro bono activities during her three years at Faulkner Law, reporting more than 340 service hours. She volunteered with both the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program and the Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program. She provided assistance at the bi-monthly legal assistance clinics and the divorce clinic sponsored by the Montgomery VLP, as well as for the Selma Legal Assistance Clinic and the Disaster Legal Assistance Hotline for the Alabama State Bar VLP.
James was a law student member of the Pro Bono Celebration Task Force assisting in the development and implementation of law student-centered Pro Bono Month events. While in law school, she was an active member of the Jones Public Interest Law Foundation, assisting with its many activities, including its annual Bid for Justice Auction to raise money for public interest summer stipends.
“The pro bono award is particularly special because it emphasizes serving those who do not otherwise have access to justice. Pro bono service is a promise to help those who are overlooked or left behind,” James said. “It is a lifelong commitment to obtaining justice for all people.”