A “pro bono legal services provider” may be a qualified legal services provider, certified lawyer referral service, court-based self-help center, or a nonprofit that provides free legal services to or on behalf of indigent Californians and has been approved by the State Bar as a pro bono legal services provider for the purposes of the Pro Bono Practice Program.
A nonprofit that is not already a qualified legal services provider, certified lawyer referral service, or court-based self-help center may be approved by the State Bar as a pro bono legal services provider if it provides free legal services to or on behalf of indigent Californians and annually provides the following to the State Bar for review:
The organization’s mission statement;
An active Certificate of Status from the California Secretary of State as a nonprofit corporation;
The organization’s retainer agreement(s) that outlines for clients the scope of representation provided, confirms that the services will be provided at no cost, and indicates services may be provided by a pro bono attorney;
A list of all current California-licensed attorneys employed at the organization; and
Organizations that want to be approved as a pro bono legal services provider should email ProgramDevelopment@calbar.ca.gov or call 415-538-2252.
What is a “qualified legal services provider”?
A “qualified legal services provider” receives or is eligible to receive funds from the Legal Services Trust Fund Program as either:
A “qualified legal services project,” which provides legal services in civil matters without charge to indigent persons. (Business & Professions Code §§ 6213 – 6214.5); or
A “qualified legal services support center,” which provides legal training, legal technical assistance, or advocacy support without charge to qualified legal services projects (Business and Professions Code §§ 6213 and 6215).
A list of qualified providers that receive funds from the Legal Services Trust Fund Program is available on the State Bar’s website.
What is a “certified lawyer referral service?"
Under the Pro Bono Practice program, a “certified lawyer referral service” is a no-fee panel or pro bono panel or clinic of a lawyer referral service certified by the State Bar as meeting statutory criteria. (Business & Professions Code § 6155).
What is considered to be a "court-based self-help center?"
For the Pro Bono Practice Program, a "court-based self-help center" is a self-help program that is in compliance with California Rule of Court 10.960.
You can find a list of family facilitators, self-help centers and small claim advisers on the Judicial Council of California website.
Is it necessary to have a background in any particular legal area?
No. Qualified attorneys come from all practice areas, settings and levels of experience. Common areas of practice by legal services providers include government benefits, family law, guardianship, immigration, housing, consumer law and elder law. Most providers offer training with free CLE credit, training manuals and other supports for pro bono attorneys.
Is Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) compliance required for Pro Bono Practice attorneys?
Yes. All attorneys who have an active status must meet MCLE requirements. Many QLSPs, certified LRSs, and court self-help centers provide free live and online training with MCLE credit to support Pro Bono Practice Attorneys.
PBPP participants also have access to free or discounted rates to attend MCLE programs sponsored by
Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) and Practising Law Institute(PLI).
Can attorneys enrolled in the Pro Bono Practice Program practice law outside of a qualified legal services provider, certified lawyer referral service or court-based self-help center?
No. A Pro Bono Practice Program participant must provide legal services exclusively as a Pro Bono Practice attorney and not engage in activities that require active status.
Do pro bono providers require a minimum amount of work?
No. A Pro Bono Practice attorney and a provider can determine the number of hours of pro bono services, but the State Bar recommends a minimum of 100 hours per year.
Qualified legal services providers generally have malpractice coverage for volunteers.
If I am approved for the Pro Bono Practice Program, how long does the approval last?
A new application and sworn statement must be submitted annually for the Pro Bono Practice Program during the State Bar billing cycle when attorneys pay their annual fee.
Can a Pro Bono Practice attorney participate with more than one qualified provider, certified lawyer referral service or court-based self-help center?
Yes. Each provider must submit the application, sworn statement and declaration forms.
Does the State Bar refund the active membership fee if it was already paid?
Maybe. If an attorney paid the annual fee (either active or inactive fee) and then enrolls in the Pro Bono Practice Program before the deadline of the first business day in February, the fee will be refunded for that year. Partial refunds are not available.
What happens if an attorney stops doing pro bono work with the provider?
If an attorney is no longer eligible to be enrolled in the Pro Bono Practice Program, he or she must notify the provider and the State Bar within 30 calendar days. The attorney will then need to work with Division of Regulation to pay the active fee.
Can an attorney do pro bono work without being enrolled in the Pro Bono Practice Program?
Yes. An attorney whose State Bar status is active may provide pro bono services at any time.
What is the best way to find a pro bono opportunity?
There are many pro bono opportunities throughout the state. See our web page for more information about pro bono opportunities in California.
Contact individual organizations for more specific information about their pro bono opportunities. You also can contact the State Bar at 415-538-2528 or
programdevelopment@calbar.ca.gov for more information.
