Paladin and PLI Partner to Boost Experiential Learning for Law Students

Collaboration aims to scale pro bono service and skills training through integrated platform

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:34pm

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Paladin, a leading pro bono management platform, and Practising Law Institute (PLI), a premier provider of legal education, have announced a strategic partnership to equip law students with on-demand training and vetted pro bono opportunities. Through this collaboration, students will gain access to PLI's expert-led programs to build practical skills while engaging in Paladin's network of pro bono cases, helping to close the justice gap and enhance their legal education.

Why it matters

This initiative aims to better prepare the next generation of lawyers by integrating hands-on pro bono experience with targeted skills training. As the legal industry evolves with advancements in AI and changing associate roles, this partnership provides students with a more practical, experiential learning model to develop essential competencies and a stronger commitment to pro bono service.

The details

The partnership will allow law students access to PLI's training programs through Paladin's pro bono platform. While Paladin connects students with vetted pro bono opportunities, PLI will provide the corresponding skills-based training to help volunteers feel confident and prepared. Pro bono cases may include intake clinics for immigrants, assisting the elderly with benefits, research on innocence matters, and more. This integrated approach aims to strengthen the pipeline of law students entering the profession with real-world experience and a deeper sense of purpose.

  • Paladin launched its Law School Hub with 30 law schools in August 2025.
  • Since then, law students have signed up for over 3,300 pro bono cases through Paladin's platform.

The players

Paladin

The leading pro bono management platform, helping legal teams streamline pro bono intake, distribute casework, and report on business and community impact.

Practising Law Institute (PLI)

The premier nonprofit learning organization serving legal and allied professionals, providing accredited continuing legal education and training.

Kristen Sonday

Co-Founder and CEO of Paladin.

Kirsten Talmage

Chief Strategy Officer at PLI.

Adrián Palma

Director of Innovation at PLI.

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What they’re saying

“Integrating legal training with hands-on pro bono experience is the future of legal education. Especially with the advancement of AI and associates' work changing so rapidly, there is no substitute for real-world pro bono experience.”

— Kristen Sonday, Co-Founder and CEO of Paladin

“This partnership amplifies PLI's commitments to both pro bono and law schools. This initiative will help schools deliver trusted, experiential training that's practical and meaningful, while building a stronger pipeline of law students who will carry pro bono forward into firms, in-house teams, and every corner of practice.”

— Kirsten Talmage, Chief Strategy Officer at PLI

“Closing the justice gap requires an ecosystem that supports volunteers end to end. By pairing PLI's pro bono skills training with Paladin's student-ready opportunities, we're helping more people get help sooner — and building pro bono into the DNA of the next generation of lawyers.”

— Adrián Palma, Director of Innovation at PLI

The takeaway

This partnership between Paladin and PLI represents a significant step forward in integrating practical, hands-on experience with targeted skills training to better prepare law students for the evolving legal landscape. By equipping the next generation of lawyers with both the technical competencies and a deeper commitment to pro bono service, this collaboration aims to close the justice gap and enhance the overall quality and purpose of legal education.