Pre-Admission Pro Bono: The Role of Pro Bono Service as a Condition for Receiving a Law License

In 2012 New York became the first U.S. jurisdiction to require pro bono service as a condition to become licensed for law practice. As New York’s “50-hour Rule” has evolved from proposal to policy, other states are formally considering related requirements that tie pro bono to law licensing.

The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono & Public Service has issued a detailed analysis tracing the 50-hour Rule’s history, exploring potential benefits and drawbacks of pre-admission pro bono requirements, and highlighting the 50-hour Rule’s impact outside of New York.

The below table is our tracking of state-level activity. Please send questions or updates to Steve Grumm.

STATE	POLICY STATUS (February, 2014)	DATE IMPLEMENTED	POLICY SUMMARY	SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES
California	Under consideration by State Bar Task Force on Admissions Regulation Reform (TFARR).	N/A	50 pro bono hours (pre- or post -admission) “devoted to pro bono or modest means clients.”	TFARR webpage with updates/links.
Connecticut	No current action. Judicial Branch declined proposal to create exploratory task force.	N/A	N/A	Report/proposal to Judicial Branch News story on Judicial Branch declining action.
Montana	Under consideration. Supreme Court reviewing proposal. Public comment open thru Feb. 2014.	N/A	Proposal by state Access to Justice Commission would require pro bono reports with bar applications, but not pro bono service.	Access to Justice Commission proposal.
New Jersey	Under consideration. Supreme Court considering Working Group proposal. State Bar opposes.	N/A	“Working Group proposes adopting a preadmission pro bono requirement for applicants for a…license.”	Working Group Report (April 2013) NJ State Bar resolution opposing pre-admission pro bono req. (Feb. 2013)
New York	Implemented. NY Court of Appeals Rules for Attorney Admission § 520.16(a).	September 2012 (but first effective for all bar admittees on/after 1/1/15).	50 hours of qualifying pro bono service prior to filing application for bar admission.	ABA Pro Bono Committee Analysis Paper FAQs from NY Court of Appeals

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State-Level Table