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ABA Model Rule 6.1 Table of State Ethics Rules Standards for Pro Bono Programs
Emeritus Attorney Rules Pro Bono Reporting CLE Credit for Doing Pro Bono
State-by-State Guide for Bar Leaders & Others Arguments in Favor and Against

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)/Pro Bono State Rules

A number of states have implemented rules that permit attorneys who take pro bono cases to earn credit toward mandatory CLE requirements.
The table below summarizes the status of these rules.

State Action MCLE* For Pro Bono Originator Approval/Rejection Date Effective Date Type of Policy Pro Bono

AZ

Proposed, Rejected

15/yr (3)

3 hrs credit/yr

State Bar Legal Svcs Cmte

Approved 11/98

Rejected 4/28/00

Amendment to Sup. Ct Rule 45 (new subsection)
  • One pb case frm recognized/ approved pb program for low income persons
  • Direct rep

CO

Adopted

45 units/3 yrs (7)

9 units/3 yrs

Colorado Supreme Court and Colorado Bar Association

  

Effective Jan. 1, 2005

Amendment to CO Rules of Civil Procedure Chapter 20, Rule 260.8
  • pro bono cases from a court
  • approved programs that test client eligibility 1 unit for evry 5 billable hours
  • mentors receive 1 unit per completed case

DE

Adopted

24 hours/ 2 years (4)

6 hours/2 years
1 hour of CLE credit
for every 6 hours of service

  

  

Effective
July 9, 2004

Amendment to Del. Rules for Continuing Legal Education
  • Services pursuant to ct. appointment, or approved legal services programs

MN

Adopted

45 units/3yrs (5)

1 credit/6 hours

Max 6 credits/3 yrs.

Minnesota Supreme Court

  

Effective
July 1, 2008

Amendment to the Rules of the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education
  • pro bono cases at approved legal services provider or by a Minnesota Judicial Branch Program
  • lawyer must submit an affidavit of pro bono representation to the Board to receive credit

NY

Adopted

24/2yrs (4) for all except admittees after 10/1/97 (32/first 2yrs (3))

1 credit/6 hrs,

max 10 credits/2 yrs

Chief Judge of Court of Appeals (highest state court in NY)

Proposed 3/5/00 by

Admin. Bd of Cts

Amended by Order 2/15/12 by Appellate Division of Supreme Court

Amendment to MCLE rules subsection (j) of §1500.22
  • Approved pb work
  • ct assignmnts or CLE-accredited programs

TN

Adopted

15/yr (3)

1 hr. credit/5 billable hours

Commission on Continuing Legal Ed and Specialization

Added by order filed 12/10/98

Implemented 1/99,
amended by order 4/3/09

Added subsection (c) to Sup. Ct Rule 21 §4.07
  • ct apptmnts
  • bar programs and LS orgs
  • mediation svcs, state or fed

VT

Tried, Not Pursued

20/2 yrs (2)

6 credits/2 yrs, max

[Direct credit]

Vermont Volunteer Lawyers Project

2/1/97 start

1/31/99 finish (2-yr pilot project)

Supreme Court Experimental Rule, Admin. Order 37
  • rep and mentoring in certain areas only: family law; bankruptcy, consumer, housing; wills, estates
  • Only through VVLP
  • Only for one county

WA

Adopted

45/3 yrs (6**)

6 hrs credit/2 hrs educ. + 4 hrs subsequent direct rep

WSBA Pro Bono and Legal Aid Cmte

2/98 approval by WSBA Bd of Govs

in process of enactment as of 8/00

Amendments to MCLE Rule, Regulations 103 & 104
  • to low-income clients through qualified legal services
  • subsequent direct rep: provider or mentoring

WY

Adopted

15/yr

3 hrs. credit/yr
1 credit/5 billable equiv. hours

 

amended April 22, 2003

effective July 1, 2003

Amendments to State Court of Wyoming Rules for Continuing Legal Education
  • direct representation of mentoring activities approved by the Wyoming Pro Bono Organization

* number in parentheses indicates annual hourly breakdown requirement for ethics and/or professional responsibility/professionalism, if any.

** indicates alternative courses acceptable (e.g. bias, office management, malpractice prevention or substance abuse).

Updated: 12/11/2012

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