PRO BONO CLUB, NLUO
About the Pro Bono Club, NLUO
The Pro Bono Club of National Law University Odisha (NLUO) was established in March 2022 under the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, as part of the Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Scheme. The Club was initially constituted with nine Pro Bono Associates (PBAs), who were inducted and trained on the objectives and functioning of the national Pro Bono Club Scheme. Since its inception, the Club has served as a platform for students to engage in legal aid, community outreach, legal research, legal awareness programmes, mediation, and other initiatives that strengthen access to justice. By connecting law students with practising advocates and civil society organisations, the Club seeks to bridge the gap between legal education and meaningful public service.
Objective
The primary objective of the Pro Bono Club is to improve the quality and effectiveness of pro bono legal services by encouraging active participation of law students in legal aid initiatives. The Club seeks to assist practising advocates through trained Pro Bono Associates, promote legal literacy among disadvantaged communities, expand access to justice, encourage alternative dispute resolution, and cultivate a culture of voluntary legal service within the legal profession. Through workshops, awareness campaigns, field visits, research, and community engagement, the Club enables students to develop practical legal skills while fulfilling their social responsibility towards society.
Vision
Although the Pro Bono Club does not publish a separate formal vision statement, its activities and objectives reflect a clear vision of creating a legal ecosystem where justice is accessible to every individual, irrespective of socio-economic status. The Club envisions nurturing socially conscious legal professionals who recognise pro bono service as an integral part of the legal profession and contribute towards building an equitable and inclusive justice delivery system through voluntary legal assistance and community engagement.
Mission
The mission of the Pro Bono Club is to enhance the efficiency and quality of pro bono legal services by fostering collaboration among law students, practising advocates, and civil society organisations. It aims to instil a sense of social responsibility among future legal professionals by encouraging them to provide legal assistance to disadvantaged individuals. Through legal awareness programmes, research, outreach initiatives, and support for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the Club strives to strengthen the culture of pro bono service and expand access to justice across communities.
Faculty Coordinators
Ms. Suryasmita Parida
Ms. Suryasmita Parida is an Assistant Professor of Law at National Law University Odisha and serves as one of the faculty coordinators of the Pro Bono Club. She teaches subjects including Legal History, Personal Law, Criminal Law, Transfer of Property, White Collar Crime, Drug Control Law & Policy, Administrative Law, Professional Ethics etc.
Alongside her academic responsibilities, she actively contributes to several university centres and outreach initiatives, particularly those focusing on community engagement. As a faculty coordinator, she guides students in planning and implementing legal awareness programmes, legal aid activities, and other pro bono initiatives undertaken by the Club.
Mr. M. Vijay Bhaskar
Mr. M. Vijay Bhaskar is an Assistant Professor of Law at National Law University Odisha and serves as the faculty coordinator of the Pro Bono Club. His academic and research interests include tribal rights, child rights, legal education, and access to justice.
In addition to coordinating the Pro Bono Club, he is associated with the University’s Centre for Tribal Studies and several community outreach projects. He mentors students in organising legal literacy programmes, research initiatives, and legal aid activities aimed at promoting social justice and community welfare.
Club Constitution
The Pro Bono Club functions under the Department of Justice’s Pro Bono Club Scheme and the administrative framework of National Law University Odisha. The Club is supervised by faculty coordinators and comprises student members designated as Pro Bono Associates (PBAs). It operates in accordance with the objectives laid down under the Nyaya Bandhu Scheme, focusing on legal aid, legal awareness, research, mediation, outreach programmes, and community service.
Executive Committee- (2025-26)
| Designation | Name |
|---|---|
| Convenor | Abhilipsa Naik |
| Co-Convenor | Pritam Nayak |
| General Secretary | Shalini Ranjan |
| Treasurer | Anisha Banka |
| Editorial Head | Nidhi Rai |
| Public Relations & Social Media Manager | Bhumika Daimary |
| Litigation & ADR Head | Siddhi Mehrotra |
| CCLA (Community Care Legal Assistance) Head | Nishta Sharma |
Student Members
| Name | Designation |
|---|---|
| Panya Prasad | Member |
| Vinuthna | Member |
| Aiman Shabbir | Member |
| Sriyya Jain | Member |
| Anindita Saha | Member |
| Sadgamaya Kudapa | Member |
| Anwesha Samantaray | Member |
Annual Reports
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