by Cara Murphy, Staff Writer
Though this new requirement has received considerable
praise, some are concerned with how applicants will be able to achieve this
goal on top of their other duties and responsibilities.
If you plan on taking the New York bar examination after
January 2015, you will need to do more than learn New York law and prove that
you are of moral character; you will need to show that you devoted fifty hours
to pro-bono work. While it is common for a state to require an attorney to do a
certain number of pro-bono hours, this requirement placed upon bar applicants
would be the first of its kind in the nation.
New York Chief Judge Judge Jonathan Lippman unveiled this
new requirement on September 2012 to the praise of many non-profit
organizations in New York. Though Judge Lippman suggested this new regulation
on May 2012, its official debut in September marked the start of a greater
focus by the bar association of New York on helping to address the legal
concerns of the destitute and the promotion of volunteerism among attorneys.
 |
| New York's Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman © Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union |
In order to address these concerns, the restrictions placed
on this requirement are minimal. The work completed during the fifty hours must
be law-related, it must be performed under watch of an attorney, judge, or law
school faculty member, and it should aim to help low-income or disadvantaged
individuals. Though this requirement is applicable to those who wish to obtain
a license to practice in New York, the fifty hours of work can be completed
anywhere in the United States or even in a foreign nation.
New York is the first state to adopt such a policy, but will
others follow its lead? The American Bar Association (ABA) only suggests that
lawyers participate in fifty hours of pro-bono work, but has volunteering no
requirements. Pennsylvania has mirrored the ABA in suggesting that lawyers
be involved in volunteer legal work, but places no requirement on its attorneys
to do so.
Currently, Duquesne University School of Law has a Pro Bono
Program in which students can receive a certificate of recognition and notation
in the graduation program if they complete thirty or more hours at one of the
numerous placements listed on the Pro Bono Program website. Though this program
is not required of students, the benefits of participating in it or
participating in another volunteer program can be immense. Not only does
volunteering in such programs aid those who are economically disadvantaged, but
can also provide an edge on an application in a tough economic climate.
So while some New York bar applicants may grumble about the
requirement placed upon them, in the end they may not only benefit the
economically disadvantaged, but themselves as well.
