50 Hour Pro Bono Requirement

On September 14, 2012, the New York State Court of Appeals adopted a new rule requiring applicants for admission to the New York State bar to perform 50 hours of pro bono service. Click HERE for more information on bar admission requirements. Please note: you do not need to complete these hours in New York. They can be completed 

Opportunities for those seeking to complete the required 50 hours of pro bono work with VLPCNY are available between academic semesters (January, May, August, and December). Volunteer work should be completed during regular business hours (Monday - Friday).

Volunteer duties include:

• Reviewing intake files and assisting with legal clinics
• Participating in client consultations and administering client case files in preparation for referral to pro bono counsel
• Conducting legal research

Remote volunteer opportunities are extremely limited for those seeking to fulfill their 50 hour requirement.

To express interest in completing your 50 hour pro bono requirement with VLPCNY, please submit a resume and cover letter to mjohn@vlpcny.org. Please include “50 Hours Pro Bono” in the subject line. Due to the high volume of applicants, only those being considered will be contacted.

"Your 50 hours of pro bono work may be performed anywhere that is convenient for you, so long as the work complies with all other aspects of the Pro Bono Requirement.  You may satisfy all or some of the 50 hours in another state or a foreign country, provided the nature and supervision of your service complies with the Pro Bono Requirement."
- The New York State Bar Admission FAQ Webpage