William H. Bowen
School of Law

service – learning program of two schools
 UALR Bowen School of Law
 University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service
 only master’s degree program in public service
 concurrent J.D./M.P.S. degree program

partnership of public and private entities
 Projects undertaken by students from both schools
 Funded by Ben J. Altheimer Charitable Foundation
 Collaborative efforts with non-profit organizations or community agencies

program focuses on public service generally rather than
specifically on pro bono legal services
1. Creation and Formation
2. Implementation
3. Benefits to the Community and to Students
4. Challenges for the Future

recognize the two schools’ common goal of public
service

stimulate the commitment to public service among
the schools’ students

contribute to the immediate needs of the
community and the State

Memorandum of Understanding
written “charter” for the program
establishes operating structure for the program
defines program objectives and responsibilities
institutionalizes the program beyond the original “good idea”

Coordinating Committee
2 law school students
2 Clinton School students
1 faculty member from each school
Recommend Annually to Deans of the Two Schools:
1. joint service-learning project(s)
2. plan to implement the project(s)
3. keynote speaker(s)
4. budget

local non-profit working to revitalize economically depressed part
of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas

pilot program of Main Street Arkansas; follows the four
principles of Main Street Model developed by the National Trust
Main Street Center
1. design
2. organization
3. promotion
4. economic restructuring

“in our own backyard”: investment in the neighborhood
surrounding the two schools

generates interaction between the students and the residents of
the community where the schools are located
1. survey of area residents and business owners for
market analysis
2. case study to help Southside Main develop a longterm strategic plan

Southside Main needs targeted business recruitment package to use in
encouraging new businesses to locate in the area

students refined model survey in conjunction with UALR Statistics
Department

students canvass the neighborhood

survey collects market data about current shopping and spending habits,
new businesses and services desired in the area, income levels, etc.

goal is to obtain enough completed surveys to attain statistical reliability

survey responses will be compiled and analyzed by Statistics
Department

survey responses will be used to identify business and real estate
development opportunities that Southside Main can include in a business
recruitment package
Three Topics:
1. Collecting information on existing neighborhood
associations and facilitating better working relationships
among those groups
2. Researching zoning regulations and developing userfriendly guide for potential property and business owners
 MacArthur Park Historic District
 Capital Zoning District
3. Researching current structure and role of the Business
Improvement District that exists in the area

projects provide some type of tangible service
 market analysis
 recommending ways that non-profits can work together better

interaction between area residents and local institutions of higher
education

public events
 keynote speaker who addresses issues related to the project
 public program for stakeholders in the project at which students present research results, policy
proposals, or recommendations

research into pressing community issues

lasting record of the work
 at conclusion of project, Coordinating Committee must draft report chronicling the history and
results of the project
 reports will be electronically archived in the Clinton School’s Research Center and will be available to
the public for later use

experiencing and learning the value of service in a real-world setting

leadership opportunities in a service context
 students have primary responsibility for selecting service projects
 students “co-lead” each project

opportunity to work with and learn from community leaders, leaders of
non-profits, and various other professionals engaged in public service

breaks down class barriers that sometimes exist between lawyers and
rest of community; puts students in contact with people in a real way at
street level

learning to practice in context and think more broadly about a problem,
rather than focusing on just the narrow, immediate issue at hand

expanding the range of potential projects

opportunity for law students to work with non-lawyer
professional students to see and experience how important
law is to social change

expanding focus of law students beyond the technical skills
of the craft and helping them see how public service is part
of their professional role

learning to collaborate and work in groups with non-lawyer
professionals

opportunity for law students to see the variety of ways
that transactional lawyers can contribute to pro bono and
public service efforts

student participation
awarding academic credit?
incorporating program into the curriculum?

project selection
finding “common ground”: projects that enrich both the legal education
of Bowen students and the public-service education of Clinton School
students
long-term project v. new project each year

continued funding
original grant is for 3 years