UALR’s Bowen School of Law will mark the American Bar Association (ABA) National Celebration of Pro Bono with a series of events held Oct. 26 to 31 designed to show the importance of the law community’s volunteering its time to benefit good causes.

A Pro Bono and Public Service Fair will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, in the Dean’s Gallery.  A dozen service organizations will be in attendance. Students will be able to meet with representatives of these groups that provide legal and other services to discuss pro bono and volunteer opportunities.

At noon Monday, Oct. 26, Bowen Dean John DiPippa will moderate a panel discussion, “Perspectives on Pro Bono: Our Privilege and Responsibility,” to be held in Room 323. Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Annabelle Imber, Professor Charles Goldner, and attorneys Bill Allen, Jean Carter, and Jon Comstock will participate. Lunch will be provided.

The Student Bar Association and Career Services will conduct another panel discussion, “Work for Free?” What’s In It for Me?” at 4:20 p.m. in the Dean’s Gallery. The panel, composed of attorneys and current students, will be moderated by Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Valerie Nation.

At 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, the Bowen School will honor former professor James W. Spears, whose family’s continued commitment to the school has made possible the James W. Spears Endowed Scholarship for the benefit of students interested in pursuing classes in the Legal Clinic and the James W. Spears Endowment for the benefit of the Bowen Legal Clinic.

To cap off the week, Bowen students will have the opportunity to participate in training for a special volunteer program with Catholic Charities Immigration Services — the Immigration Rapid Response Team. Training will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 in Room 321. A second training session will be held in November.

For more information about the events, contact Tonya Oaks Smith, director of communications at the Bowen School, at 501-324-9896 or tosmith@ualr.edu.