The Pro Bono Practice Program offers attorneys the opportunity to contribute their legal expertise to Californians in need.
Participants who qualify can have their State Bar annual fees waived and also get free and reduced rates to attend Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE).
What is the application process?
Download an application here.
The application due date is the first business day in February. If you would like to apply to the program after the due date, please contact us first at ProgramDevelopment@calbar.ca.gov or 415-538-2252.
To complete the application you need to:
Identify and contact the qualified legal services provider, State Bar certified lawyer referral service, or court-based self-help center you want to work with;
Complete and sign the application;
Obtain signatures from the organization’s director or supervising attorney; and
Submit application to the State Bar by email or mail.
Email: ProgramDevelopment@calbar.ca.gov (If sending by email, please do not send hard copy application via mail)
Mail the application to: Pro Bono Practice Program The State Bar of California 180 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94105
For attorney licensing fees to be waived, both forms must be submitted to the State Bar during the State Bar annual fee billing cycle. Applications submitted after the first business day in February will be considered and processed on an individual basis. However, the State Bar will not waive the annual attorney licensing fee for PBPP applications submitted after the first business day in February.
See State Bar Rule 3.326
If you have a question that is not addressed in the above FAQs, email ProgramDevelopment@calbar.ca.gov or call 415-538-2252.