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Vice Dean Melinda Saran '86

A Proven Model

Pro Bono Scholars Program delivers 100% bar passage-again

Celebrating a six‑year streak of 100% bar success, the law school's Pro Bono Scholars Program continues to demonstrate its impact. All four of this year’s scholars—who completed their classroom coursework in the fall and devoted the final semester of their 3L year to working in public interest positions—took the bar exam in February and passed it. With their pro bono service finished, they’re ready for admission and poised to begin their careers.

Vice Dean Melinda Saran '86 couldn’t be prouder. “These are all highly motivated students,” says Saran, who administers the program and co-teaches the program’s course with Lisa Patterson, program director for externships, public interest offerings, and access to justice initiatives. “You can’t do this without being motivated,” says Saran. “It’s just amazing that every year these students consistently put in the work and get the job done. When they pass the bar, I’m always thrilled. It’s a very daunting task.”

Learn more about the Pro Bono Scholars Program.

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Nyles Panus '26

But just as important as passing that hurdle, she says, are the skills that the students take away from their 12-week pro bono placements—knowledge with immediate application for their post-law school professional life.

“All of our scholars do direct client work,” Saran says, “and they gain valuable practice experience. They go into court; they go into immigration hearings. They know how to interview a client coming in; they understand the legal documents. They learn transferable skills that they can apply to their careers and emerge with the confidence and judgment that employers immediately recognize.”

One of the four, graduating student Nyles Panus, was placed at the Volunteer Lawyers Project in Buffalo as a Pro Bono Scholar, and has already landed a job at the Buffalo law firm Gross Shuman, P.C.

“My time with VLP was incredible,” Panus says. “It provided a great opportunity to be surrounded by knowledgeable and caring practitioners and support staff. My favorite part of the program has been watching the variety of advocacy from attorneys in the courtroom. Being able to work directly on cases helped me obtain the real-world experience and confidence I need to feel comfortable as a soon-to-be attorney.”

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Christopher Mostowy '26

His classmate Christopher Mostowy, who plans to work in New York City after graduation, spent the semester at the New York Legal Assistance Group, a civil legal services provider in Manhattan. There he helped low-income elderly and disabled clients with Medicare and Medicaid matters, including external appeals for home care services.

“Participating in the Pro Bono Scholars program has been a tremendous privilege,” Mostowy says, “because it allowed me to move beyond the classroom and use my legal training to serve clients in a meaningful way. The program reinforced for me that, as aspiring attorneys, our education is ultimately meant to prepare us to engage with people, address real needs, and use the law to benefit society. Through this experience, I gained confidence, practical judgment and a deeper appreciation for the impact attorneys can have on people’s lives.