The HOPE Public Interest Resource Center at the University of Miami School of Law is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Since its inception, HOPE has been dedicated to promoting public interest work and social justice through legal education and advocacy.
On top of career and course advising to law students interested in social justice and public interest, HOPE also serves as the hub and offers an array of advocacy initiatives and service opportunities to inspire a new generation of public interest lawyers.
Some of HOPE's signature programs and projects include the Miami Scholars Public Interest Program, HOPE Fellows Program, Summer Public Interest Fellowship Programs, and the Pro Bono and Community Service Challenges.
A celebration of the milestone will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023, during the University of Miami's annual alumni weekend and homecoming.
HOPE's Impact
Over the past quarter century, HOPE has provided countless opportunities for students to engage in meaningful public service work and gain hands-on experience in the legal field.
Since 2000, the program has provided 132,120 hours of service locally, nationally, and internationally by its 367 HOPE Fellows. Since 2014, 134 Summer Public Interest Fellows have served the South Florida community. Over 350 volunteers kicked off the school year this year by providing service to 19 agencies across Miami-Dade County through HOPE Day of Service.
Miami Law students logged 15,000 pro bono hours in 2022-23 and won the MVP Pro Bono Champion Award from The Florida Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Law School Challenge in 2020 and 2022.
Assistant Dean Marni Lennon serves as director of the program, one of the few dedicated deans of Public Interest and Pro Bono at a U.S. law school.
"It is remarkable to celebrate 25 Years of HOPE, marking generations of students, lawyers and alumni working together to promote access to justice," said Lennon. "This anniversary is a testament to Miami Law's commitment to fostering community and cultivating a pro bono ethic in our graduates and the profession."
HOPE's mission is to develop students' practical and transferrable lawyering skills while giving back, broaden their understanding of the need for access to justice, and ensure that they connect with like-minded law students, access a network of attorneys and alumni, and explore new areas of law.
More information on HOPE's 25th anniversary and how to support HOPE.