Nachiketa Baru
Like many of my peers, I came to law school out of a desire to be of service to others. Getting involved in pro bono at UVA has given me the opportunity to help people in need, while also fostering the development of skills that I believe will serve me throughout my career and my life.
Since my first semester of 1L, I have been involved in the Innocence Project at UVA, helping wrongfully imprisoned individuals challenge their convictions and fight for their release. At a time when national attention has turned to the inequities of our criminal justice system, being involved in the Innocence Project was a truly illuminating educational experience, as I saw the mechanics of injustice from an up-close perspective and got to help play a small role in righting very serious wrongs.
During my winter and summer breaks, I also assisted at the Legal Aid Society in my hometown of San Diego, helping low-income individuals involved in landlord-tenant and eviction disputes. This was again a chance to see firsthand how the law works — and oftentimes doesn’t work — for the least privileged in our society. On a personal level, the experience forced me to learn how to be a more empathetic listener and a more effective communicator, as I interacted with hundreds of people from all walks and backgrounds of life.
I think that every student should participate in a pro bono project during their time at UVA. While what we learn in the classroom is interesting, educationally there is no substitute for applying those skills in a real-life setting, serving people who are often ignored or excluded by the legal profession. I believe that my involvement in the pro bono program at UVA has not only prepared me to become a more competent lawyer but a better-rounded and more balanced person.