Pro Bono Gets a Boost From California's New Rules of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers

Pro bono has received a boost from the new California Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers. A new comment to the rules states that lawyers should be aware of deficiencies in the administration of justice and of the fact that many people -- not just the poor -- cannot afford or secure adequate legal assistance. Lawyers are encouraged to give at least fifty hours of time to pro bono publico legal services a year. The comment states that lawyers should aim to provide a substantial majority of such hours to indigent individuals or to nonprofit organizations with a primary purpose of providing services to the poor or on behalf of the poor or disadvantaged. The comment adds that lawyers may also provide financial support to organizations providing free legal services. See Comment 5 to Rule 1.0 (Purpose and Function of the Rules of Professional Conduct).