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The Pitt Legal Services Incubator (PLSI) is a program designed to support recent graduates whose ambitions are to create sustainable solo and small firm practices that will bring affordable and quality legal services to the underserved communities of the region. The two-year program will select each year six to eight graduates of the Law School who have passed the PA Bar Exam and are licensed to practice. The PLSI program will focus on the business side of law practice. PLSI attorneys will develop detailed business plans for their practices that they will adapt to their growing business. PLSI will offer training programs in various aspects of the development and maintenance of a financially sustainable solo or small firm practice. PLSI will also facilitate relationships between PLSI attorneys and attorney mentors who are experienced in the relevant substantive law areas.

Lawyers selected for the program will have offices within a newly renovated wing of the Barco Law Building. Within this new space, each lawyer will have an assigned individual workstation and will share a large common area with a multi-function office machine, WiFi, and a “kitchenette.” Two separate conference rooms appropriate for meeting with clients will also be provided. Each PLSI attorney will pay a monthly license fee for the use of these facilities on an escalating fee schedule: fee waived for the first three months; $100 monthly fee for the next three months; $200 monthly fee for the next six months; and $250 monthly fee for the final year of the Program.

Each PLSI attorney will provide his or her own malpractice insurance, laptop, telephone, office supplies, and other equipment and services necessary for a solo or small firm practice.

The program is open to all Pitt Law graduates who are admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Please complete the application below. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Spaces are limited.

Name

Address

Address 2

City

State

Postal code

Country

Home Phone

Cell Phone

Email

Year of JD degree from Pitt Law

Date of admission to Pennsylvania Bar

Bar number

Other bar admissions and dates (if applicable)

1. Personal Statement (up to 3 pages, double-spaced)

2. Brief Business Development Plan (i.e. marketing, client development, etc.) including what area(s) of law you are most interested in practicing (1-2 pages, double-spaced)

3. Current résumé

4. Law school transcript ("unofficial" version acceptable)

5. List of three references and their contact information

Please initial each statement below indicating your agreement:

If I am selected as a participant in the Program, I understand that eligibility to enter or continue in the Program requires that I continue to be a member of the Pennsylvania Bar in good standing. I agree to notify the Incubator Directors immediately of any change in my status or of any disciplinary actions taken against me by the Pennsylvania Bar.

If I am selected as a participant in the Program, I understand that once Program participation commences, I will be required to carry and maintain malpractice insurance at my own expense.

If I am selected as a participant in the Program, I expect to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono work each year (including training to prepare for said pro bono work) during my participation in the Program.

If I am selected as a participant in the Program, I understand that I am creating my own law firm, that I am not an employee of the University, the Law School, or the Program, and that I am not guaranteed any payments. I will be responsible for developing my client-base and I understand that the Program cannot guarantee business.

Please initial each statement below indicating your agreement:If I am selected as a participant in the Program, I agree to abide by and remain compliant with all the rules governing the Program which includes paying a monthly fee for office space and participating in the further development of the Program.

All statements in this application and accompanying attachments are true to the best of my knowledge and reflect realistic projections based on information reasonably available to me. I understand that any material misstatements herein may subject me to termination from the Program should I be selected.

Please type your name

Dated

If you have any issues or questions concerning the completion of this online application and PLSI, please email PLSI Program Director Amy Coco at amy.coco@pitt.edu.