DETROIT — Graduating Wayne State University Law student Muthu Veerappan set the school record for the highest number of pro bono hours donated by a single student.

Veerappan reached 1,020 total pro bono hours with the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office as part of the Warrior Pro Bono Pledge. The graduating class donated nearly 2,400 pro bono hours.

“It was remarkable because I learned a lot working there over the past year,” Veerappan said. “I have done everything from preliminary exams, motions, briefs, and a jury trial to watching a victim’s 8-month-old child when they were testifying.”

He thanked his mentors Jacqueline Gartin, Jeremy Fisher, everyone at the 37th District Court in Warren, and Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido for “helping a young law student transform into a legal professional.”

Prior to completing his pro bono hours, Veerappan worked at Wayne Law's Free Legal Aid Clinic (FLAC), Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic (AILC), and completed a public service externship. Veerappan completed 150 hours of fieldwork for FLAC, 150 hours for the public service externship, and 250 hours for AILC.

Wayne Law's student voluntary pro bono program aims to encourage law students to use their professional training to benefit under-served populations and the community at large.

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Contact: Nikki Taylor-Vargo

Email: nikkitv@wayne.edu