I work part-time at a government agency. Do I need to report?
Yes. Business and Professions Code section 6073.2(d)(2) only applies to full-time employees or officers or elected officials of the State of California, or political subdivision thereof, or the federal government. Part-time employees are required to report either the amount of pro bono service hours provided in the past year, that they did not track their pro bono or reduced fee legal services hours, that they did not complete any pro bono or reduced fee legal services hours, or that they decline to answer.
How do I make changes to the response I submitted?
Prior to the March 30, 2026, deadline, you can make changes to your pro bono hours reporting by going to My State Bar Profile, navigating to the Summary tab (located on the top navigation bar), and selecting “Edit your Pro Bono Hours” from the Pro Bono Hours tile (located about three-quarters of the way down the page).
Does the State Bar have a program for attorneys who only want to do pro bono work?
The State Bar’s Pro Bono Practice Program (PBPP) allows attorneys who would otherwise be inactive to maintain an active license, free of fees, to exclusively provide pro bono legal services in partnership with a pro bono legal services provider. To qualify for the PBPP, an attorney must maintain an active license, submit an application annually for the program, be certified as a pro bono practice attorney, and exclusively provide pro bono legal services through an approved or qualified pro bono services provider. For more information, see the Pro Bono Practice Program webpage.
How do I track and report my pro bono or reduced fee legal services hours?
Attorneys are expected to track their own hours for the purposes of this reporting requirement. Some law firms require their attorneys to track this time already. A nonprofit with whom the attorney provides pro bono legal services may assist in tracking hours.
Attorneys are asked to report pro bono and reduced fee hours as a range (e.g., 1–5 hours, 6–10 hours, 11–19 hours, etc.). Attorneys will also be able to select 0 hours or less than 1 hour of pro bono or reduced fee legal services hours, or select the checkbox if you did not track your hours or you prefer not to answer.
Does volunteering with an LRS oversight panel count as pro bono legal services?
Possibly. Uncompensated work with an LRS oversight panel may count toward the pro bono hours requirement if it enables the delivery of legal services at a charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, or education organization in matters in furtherance of its organizational purposes as defined under Business and Professions Code section 6073.1(c)(1)(C). Licensees should use their best judgment when determining whether the work performed, particularly non-legal tasks, enables the direct provision of legal work to the indigent or other nonprofit organizations.
Does uncompensated work by volunteer attorneys at a legal aid organization or law school, or as a court mediator, count as pro bono legal services?
Yes. Uncompensated work by volunteer attorneys that enables the delivery of legal services at a charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, or education organization in matters in furtherance of its organizational purposes would qualify as bono hours as defined under Business and Professions Code section 6073.1(c)(1)(C). This includes volunteer teaching at a law school as well as volunteer mediation or arbitration services provided through a court, even when the parties are not indigent.
Does serving on the board of a local or affinity bar association count as pro bono legal services?
It depends. Service to a local or affinity bar association counts toward the pro bono hours requirement if it is legal in nature (i.e., providing legal services to the nonprofit directly pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 6073.1(c)(1)(B) or 6073.1(c)(1)(C)). General board service qualifies only to the extent that the work enables legal services to the indigent, to another “charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, or educational organization in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means,” or to another “charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, or educational organization in matters in furtherance of its organizational purposes.” Licensees should use their best good-faith judgment in determining whether their non-legal board activities enable the direct provision of legal work to the indigent or other nonprofits.
Does serving on the board of a legal aid organization count as pro bono legal services?
For purposes of this reporting requirement, board service for a legal aid nonprofit would qualify because all board work with such an organization is enabling the delivery of legal services to the indigent (since these organizations primarily serve indigent California residents). Please note that some legal aid providers and other nonprofits for which attorneys provide pro bono legal services may also ask attorneys to report pro bono hours, but the definition for pro bono legal services may vary for their purposes. Attorneys should confirm definitions with the entity before reporting pro bono hours to the entity.
What are some examples of pro bono legal services?
Pro bono opportunities vary depending on the needs of the client community. Examples of pro bono legal services to indigent clients may include, but are not limited to:
Representation (full or limited scope)
Negotiation and settlement
Screening and intake
Brief service by phone or in person
Legal information or “Know Your Rights” workshops
Document preparation and review
Legal research and writing
Litigation support
Legislative research and legal analysis
What is the guidance on pro bono and reduced fee hours reporting for pro bono professionals, law school professors, and attorneys employed at law schools?
Any active licensee who does not meet one of the exemptions in Business and Professions Code section 6073.2(d) is required to report the amount of pro bono service hours provided in the past year, including pro bono professionals, law school professors, and attorneys employed at law schools. Attorneys are asked to provide their best, good faith effort at reporting the amount of pro bono and/or reduced fee legal services hours provided to low-income individuals, nonprofit organizations, or public law libraries during the past year to meet the requirement of Business and Professions Code section 6073.2. Even licensees who are exempt from reporting their pro bono hours must declare their exemption status in My State Bar Profile.
How do I file a complaint against my lawyer or a lawyer referral service?
If you believe your lawyer has done something wrong, you can file a complaint with the State Bar. Complaints may be submitted online or by mail. If you have questions or need assistance in completing the form, call the State Bar’s Attorney Complaint Hotline at 800-843-9053. For more information on reporting a lawyer to the State Bar and handling other problems, read the legal guide If You Have a Problem with an Attorney.
If you have a complaint about a certified or uncertified LRS, you can file a complaint against the service with the State Bar. In order to promote public protection, the State Bar will review your complaint to determine if the LRS has violated Business and Professions Code Section 6155 and State Bar Rules.
For more information on certified lawyer referral services, contact LRS@calbar.ca.gov.
When are the annual fees due?
The due date is by March 30, or the next business day if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, each year during the annual license renewal process. The 2025 annual deadline is April 1, 2025. If you miss the deadline, you will be charged a penalty ($103 for active attorneys, $31 for inactive attorneys).
What activities qualify for general MCLE credit?
Activities that qualify for general MCLE credit must: (1) relate to legal subjects that are directly relevant to California attorneys, and (2) offer current, significant educational, professional, or practical content with the specific objective of increasing each participant’s professional competency as an attorney. Programs created primarily for nonattorney audiences (for example, general public, clients, or business staff) do not qualify and will not be approved for general MCLE credit. More on Standards for MCLE activity Approval.
What is IOLTA?
IOLTA stands for Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts. Attorneys deposit client funds that they plan to hold briefly, or that are too small to earn interest for the client, into larger shared accounts. Over 73,000 attorneys make deposits in approximately 49,000 IOLTA accounts in California. As of September 2019, IOLTA accounts hold nearly $5 billion. Any interest earned on these accounts is paid by financial institutions to the State Bar, which in turn distributes those funds as grants to qualified nonprofit civil legal organizations throughout the state.
Refer to the State Bar’s IOLTA FAQ page for more information.
Where do I mail the State Bar's copy of my application?
State Bar of California
Office of Special Admissions and Specialization
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
What address should I use as my address of record for State Bar purposes?
The office address of the attorney's employer (qualifying institution for in-house counsel and legal services attorney) will be considered your address of record. If your current employer changes its address, you must submit a written notice to:
Office of Admissions (MJP)
845 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2515
If your address change is due to new employment, you must submit a Change of Employment Form to the State Bar.
MJP attorneys are not allowed to practice law with other institutions without registration by the State Bar.
Do I earn self-study or participatory credit for watching approved videotapes or listening to approved audiotapes?
Participatory credit for watching or listening to an approved education activity recorded on electronic media is available if:
the provider has the attorney sign in at the time of the activity and keeps a record of attendance;
the program is approved for participatory credit; and
provider gives the attorney a certificate of attendance.
Otherwise, an attorney receives self-study credit.
How do the Federal Trade Commission’s rules on mortgage assistance relief services (16 Code of Federal Regulations Section 322.1) apply to lawyers who provide loan modification or other forbearance services in California?
The Federal Trade Commission’s rules on mortgage assistance relief services also regulate the provision of loan modification and other forbearance services in California but an exemption is included for attorneys who meet certain criteria. The criteria include compliance with all state laws and regulations relating to mortgage relief assistance. Therefore, the FTC rules require compliance with SB 94 and an attorney who fails to comply with SB 94 would be subject to the penalties provided for in both SB 94 and the federal law.
Are attorneys allowed to accept an advance fee if the borrower agrees to waive the application of SB 94 to their matter?
No. SB 94 does not provide for a waiver of its application by the borrower.
What does the arbitrator look at if there is a written fee agreement?
If there is a written fee agreement, the arbitrator may consider whether the agreement is valid and whether the terms of the agreement (for example, the hourly fee) should be upheld. You should review the fee agreement before the hearing to determine if it answers your questions about the lawyer's charges. If the arbitrator determines the agreement to be valid and that you understood the agreement, the arbitrator will generally use the terms of the agreement as a basis for making the decision.
The arbitrator also looks at the lawyer's "performance" in deciding the amount of the fee. For example, did the lawyer spend too much time on a specific task, or did the lawyer make mistakes that required extra time to fix? You should review the lawyer's bills and performance and decide whether, based on these factors, you believe the fee is too high. You should be prepared to point out specific items that support your belief
What if I have witnesses?
First, you should decide whether the witnesses have important information related directly to your fee dispute with the lawyer. For example, if the witness was with you when you and the lawyer made or changed your agreement, then the witness may have important information relevant to your fee dispute, and you might want to have that person available to testify at the hearing. You should tell the arbitrator and the attorney whose fees you are disputing that you expect to call witnesses and arrange your presentation so that the witnesses can be easily included.
If you have an important witness who does not want to come to the hearing, you may be able to order that person to attend with a subpoena. You should contact the administrator of the fee arbitration program to find out how this is done. You should also contact the administrator if you have any problems scheduling a witness. While it is always better to bring witnesses to the hearing, you may present their testimony and evidence in writing instead. It is up to the arbitrator to decide how much weight to give a witness's testimony.
When will I receive the award?
You should expect to receive an award in the mail about 30 days after the hearing. Please don't call the local program or State Bar because the award will be sent to you automatically.
When do I have to report the misconduct?
Rule 8.3 states that a lawyer shall report “without undue delay.” Rule 8.3 comment [3] provides that the lawyer must report as soon as the lawyer reasonably believes that reporting will not cause material prejudice or damage to the interests of a client of the lawyer or a client of the lawyer’s firm. The Comment also provides that the lawyer should consider other applicable rules, such as rules 1.4 (the duty to communicate); 1.7(b) (material limitation conflict); 5.1 (responsibilities of managerial and supervisorial lawyers); and 5.2 (responsibilities of a subordinate lawyer).
Can I report anonymously?
A lawyer can file a complaint anonymously. If a lawyer submits a complaint through the online tool, the lawyer will receive a reference number that they could later use to prove they made a submission. However, if a lawyer submits a complaint using other methods (such as an email from an anonymous email address or by sending the complaint through the mail), there will be limited proof of a submission.
The online complaint tool has required fields in which the complainant must enter data to progress. However, the complainant can input “anonymous” and other nonidentifying information in the required fields.
If a lawyer submits an “anonymous” complaint but includes information that would identify the complainant, it is possible that that information will ultimately be available to the respondent.
What reports are available for my e-learning account?
There are three types of reports:
Overall Course Credit Report
Classroom Course Usage Report
Online Course Report
Does the New Attorney Training Program courses qualify for participatory or self-study credit?
All New Attorney Training Program courses qualify for participatory credit.
Once I am approved through the MJP Program, can I take the California Bar Exam and still participate in the program?
Yes. However, you may only apply to become a Registered Military Spouse Attorney or a Registered Legal Aid Attorney if you have not taken and failed the California bar exam within five years immediately preceding the initial application to register under the rule.
What items am I allowed to bring into the exam room?
Items listed in the Admittance Ticket Bulletin are allowed without prior approval. The Admittance Ticket Bulletin can be found on the First-Year Law Students’ Examination webpage. Items not listed in the bulletin will require approval through the testing accommodations process. If the bulletin is not yet available for the exam you intend to take, refer to the bulletin for the prior administration of the exam; however, please note that the bulletin is subject to change.
How do I report a concern, challenge, or feedback about my experience in the PLP to the State Bar?
If you are a PLL or a Supervising Lawyer, please send an email to provisionallicensure@calbar.ca.gov to share any concerns, challenges, or feedback about your experience in the PLP. While this is not a formal complaint process, we value your input and feedback.
Staff who review the submissions may:
• Reach out to your supervisor, with your permission, to discuss with them the concerns you are having;
• Connect you with the Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) to get career counseling;
• Connect you with professional associations or your law school to assist in locating a new Supervising Lawyer;
• Pursuant to rule 8.4.1, if you believe your Supervising Lawyer has engaged in discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, we will direct you to the complaint process and provide assistance, as needed; or
• Collect data to understand systemic issues, etc
What happens if a Provisionally Licensed Lawyer is found culpable of misconduct?
If the State Bar Court determines that a PLL is culpable of conduct that would result in discipline if they were fully licensed by the State Bar, or if the PLL is sanctioned for misconduct by any court or professional licensing authority, the provisional license terminates, and the matter is referred to moral character.
Who approves my application for PHV?
The court must approve your application in order for you to appear as PHV in a case. While the State Bar's Applicant Portal may show that your PHV case is "approved," this refers to the internal processing of your application and should not be taken as the court's approval of your appearance as PHV.
Does the Pathway PLP have the same May 31, 2023, deadline as the Original PLP for completion of certain program requirements?
No. Unlike the Original PLP, the sunset date for the Pathway PLP was extended to December 31, 2025, for all participants. In other words, those who are still awaiting a positive moral character determination or an MPRE score of 86 or above can continue in the program. Additionally, the application for the Pathway PLP was reopened, and new participants who satisfy the eligibility requirements can apply through December 31, 2023. Applications will not be accepted after that date.
Do I need to have scored an 86 or higher on the MPRE to apply?
No, if you have not received an 86 or higher on the MPRE at the time of your acceptance into the program, you must complete the legal ethics portion of the New Attorney Training within the first 30 days of being licensed as a PLP. If you do not complete this within the required time frame, you will be terminated from the program.
I understand that only hours spent engaged in “legal practice” may be counted toward the 300 required hours for the Pathway PLP. Wouldn’t everything I do at the request of my supervising lawyer qualify as “legal practice”?
No. California Rule of Court 9.49.1(b)(3) defines “legal practice” as “the provision of permitted legal services to clients in compliance with rule 9.49(f) and (g).” Rule 9.49(g) states that legal services to clients include, but are not limited to, “appearing before a court or administrative tribunal, drafting legal documents, contracts or transactional documents, and pleadings, engaging in negotiations and settlement discussions, and providing other legal advice and counsel, provided that the work is performed under the supervision of a Supervising Lawyer.”
Please note that the rules require that services be provided to a client for those hours to count toward the admission requirements. Assignments such as conducting research can count when that research is being used to draft legal documents or to provide legal advice to a client. Assignments that do not involve providing services to a client, such as training, while helpful, are not considered “legal practice” under the rules.
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