Tackling The Overlooked Obstacle To Pro Bono Work: Not Having A Clue How To Do It

Above the Law

by Joe Patrice

March 3, 2026

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Law schools are often criticized for failing to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world legal practice. Now, a new partnership between Paladin, a pro bono management platform, and the Practising Law Institute (PLI), aims to address this issue by providing law students with targeted training tailored to specific pro bono cases they might handle. This initiative seeks to tackle the growing problem of motivated but undertrained law students who feel unprepared for the practical aspects of pro bono work. By integrating PLI’s skills-based training directly into Paladin’s platform, the partnership hopes to empower students with the knowledge and confidence needed to take on pro bono cases effectively. The gap between legal education and practice is particularly evident in pro bono work, where students often lack the hands-on experience required for tasks such as interviewing asylum seekers or handling guardianship cases. While law students contribute significantly to pro bono efforts—logging over 5.1 million hours of service in 2023—their inexperience can lead to hesitation and inefficiency. This partnership addresses this challenge by offering immediate access to expert-led training, ensuring that students are better prepared for the specific legal issues they may encounter. For example, a student assisting with asylum intake or elder benefits claims will now receive specialized training tailored to their case, reducing feelings of being "in over their heads

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Originally published on Above the Law on 3/3/2026