FAQS about NY BAR
Pro Bono Requirements
Must I complete law-related pro bono service to be admitted to the New York Bar?
Yes. The New York Bar has a mandatory pro bono requirement. To become licensed in the state of New York, applicants must complete 50 hours of qualifying pro bono legal service before the time of their application.
What type of pro bono work qualifies for the New York Bar?
The work must be law-related and supervised by a licensed attorney or faculty member. Student-led pro bono projects that do not directly involve this supervision will not qualify for the New York Bar.
More specifically, to qualify for the New York Bar, your pro bono work must be:
done without pay and on behalf of individuals who otherwise would not be able to access or afford legal assistance;
law-related, meaning that your work must be similar to work done by licensed attorneys, on behalf of clients (law-related work involves advising, counseling, or representing individuals or organizations regarding questions of law); and
supervised by an attorney who is licensed to practice in the jurisdiction in which you are doing your pro bono service hours.
A list of qualifying pro bono work is provided on the New York pro bono FAQs at questions 11 and 12.
To determine if your pro bono work will qualify, we recommend you carefully review the New York pro bono FAQs. If you still have questions, you can email your question to the New York Pro Bono Office directly at ProBonoRule@nycourts.gov.
Will hours recognized by the Pro Bono Project qualify for the New York Bar?
Not necessarily. Hours recognized by the Pro Bono Project may or may not satisfy the New York Bar admission requirement. The Pro Bono Project, for example, recognizes hours performed for VITA. The New York Bar, on the other hand, might not recognize those hours because they are not law-related work done under attorney supervision, but instead activities the general population could perform without attorney supervision. Conversely, the New York Bar accepts hours performed for academic credit, such as work done for a clinic, while the Pro Bono Project does not.
Can the Pro Bono Project determine whether my work satisfies the New York Bar’s pro bono requirement?
No. Because the Pro Bono Project does not administer the New York Bar pro bono requirement, we cannot officially verify or confirm whether your pro bono activities will count for the New York Bar. The Pro Bono Project Faculty Director is available to help you decide whether your hours will likely qualify.
How do I document my pro bono work for the New York Bar?
To prove that you have completed the 50-hour requirement, you will need to submit Form Affidavit as to Applicant’s Compliance with the Pro Bono Requirements, including Certification by Supervisor for each pro bono activity. It is recommended that affidavits be completed soon after the qualifying pro bono work is done, as tracking down supervisors or required information months or years after the pro bono work has been completed can be very difficult. Each affidavit must be signed by the student before a notary and certified and then signed by the attorney who supervised the pro bono work. The Pro Bono Project Board members cannot sign these affidavits. Only a supervising attorney or faculty member may certify pro bono hours.
I have more questions. Where can I get help?
If you have any additional questions, we encourage you to start by carefully reading the New York pro bono FAQs. If you are still unable to find answers to your specific question, you can email the New York Pro Bono Office directly at ProBonoRule@nycourts.gov.