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The importance of pro bono service is a theme that is routinely emphasized to practicing attorneys. For one law student, no encouragement will be necessary. The Indianapolis Bar Association’s 2014 Law Student of the Year, Matthew Maples of the Robert H. McKinney School of Law, has completed close to 2,000 hours of pro bono service during his law school career.
Maples will be honored at the bar’s annual Take a Law Student to Lunch event on Thursday, May 15. The luncheon will take place at the Hilton Indianapolis (120 W. Market St.) from noon to 1 p.m.
Maples began an internship at Indiana Legal Services (ILS) in July 2012, initially pursuing the opportunity because of his intense desire to use his legal education to help those most in need. Over the past two years at ILS, he has logged more than 1,500 pro bono hours assisting clients. His nomination notes that he often went above and beyond the expectations of an intern, working after hours and on weekends. Maples has also worked since August 2013 as a law clerk at Hocker & Associates LLC.
His nominator, Carrie Lynn of Indiana Legal Services, says, “I believe Matt’s commitment to helping low-income Hoosiers serves as an example to both law students and members of the legal community.” Lynn estimates that between his time at ILS and as the chairman of the Student Outreach Clinic, Maples has completed 1,900 pro bono hours, all while maintaining a superior academic record.
Maples received his BA in Philosophy/Religious Studies and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and will receive his JD from the McKinney School of Law this May.•
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