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.
What is expected of the participant while in the Lawyer Assistance Program?
While participants receive a personalized plan tailored to their individual needs, there are general similarities. Some common recommendations are:
- Attend several abstinence-based self-help group meetings each week
(for those with substance use problems) or attend therapy sessions
(for those with mental health concerns).
- Attend LAP support group meetings each week.
- Abstain from all drugs that are not prescribed, including alcohol.
- Meet with the Clinical Review Team periodically.
- Maintain regular contact with a Clinical Rehabilitation Coordinator.
- Participate in lab testing on a random basis (typically for those with a history of problematic substance use).
There may be additional and more specific recommendations depending on the needs of an individual participant, such as inpatient treatment or counseling for a specific problem.
If I think an attorney has engaged in misconduct or malpractice, will fee arbitration help me?
No. By law, mandatory fee arbitration cannot help you recover damages or offset expenses incurred for the attorney’s misconduct or malpractice. If the arbitrator determines that the attorney’s malpractice or professional misconduct reduced the value of legal services provided, the arbitrator can reduce the attorney’s fees.
If you think you have a separate claim for legal malpractice, you should discuss your rights with an independent lawyer. However, if you file a lawsuit for malpractice or seek court resolution of the fee dispute after receipt of the Notice of Client’s Right to Fee Arbitration, you waive your right to pursue mandatory fee arbitration.
The Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program does not have the authority to discipline attorneys for professional misconduct.
If you wish to file a disciplinary complaint with the State Bar of California about your attorney's conduct, you may do so online. Please keep in mind that a discipline complaint and a request to arbitrate a fee dispute are separate matters. Filing a complaint may result in disciplinary action against the attorney; however, the result may or may not require the attorney to refund fees.
Does the State Bar have information about insurance for attorneys?
The State Bar sponsors several insurance programs specifically designed to serve the needs of licensed attorneys. These programs include Workers’ Compensation insurance, life insurance, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance.
You can find more information about these programs at CalBar Connect. The website is managed by CalBar Connect, a subsidiary of California ChangeLawyers (formerly California Bar Foundation). Purchases you make through CalBar Connect provide legal services to Californians in need.
Are Superior Court attorneys required to comply with MCLE requirements?
No. Superior Court attorney employees are “Employees of the State of California” who are exempt from MCLE.
A Special Master accompanies a peace officer serving a warrant. The Special Master informs the party being served of the specific items being sought and gives that person an opportunity to voluntarily provide the items requested. If the items are not voluntarily produced, the Special Master conducts a search in the areas indicated in the search warrant. All items, whether produced voluntarily or seized, are then sealed until a court hearing is held to determine if the items are privileged. Special Masters receive a handbook describing the program in greater detail.
What are the qualifications for being a Special Master?
Special Masters must be active members of the State Bar in good standing for at least five years. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, attorneys who devote a substantial amount of their practice to criminal law are not eligible to serve as Special Masters.
May an attorney who has complied with SB 94 accept payment for loan modification services he or she has provided if the lending institution denies the modification or forbearance?
Yes. SB 94 does not mandate that an attorney’s entitlement to a fee is contingent on a lending institution’s agreement to grant a modification or forbearance. An attorney may accept payment once he or she has completed all loan modification services he or she contracted to perform.
What will be decided in the fee arbitration?
The issues to be decided in the fee arbitration are limited. The arbitrator will decide the amount of fees and costs, if any, you owe the lawyer or whether you should receive a refund from the lawyer.
What if the fee agreement does not comply with the law?
If the fee agreement fails to comply with the law, you may "void" or reject it, but the lawyer may still be entitled to receive a reasonable fee. So, as discussed below, you must still be prepared to present a case to the arbitrator with the specific reasons why you believe the fee charged is not reasonable. You may present evidence of what a reasonable fee should be
How formal is the hearing?
The arbitration hearing is typically informal, although evidence is usually taken under oath. Arbitration hearings may be held in a conference room in the arbitrator's office or at the bar association. Generally, only the arbitrator, you, the lawyer, and maybe witnesses will be in the room. You do not need to be represented by a lawyer. However, you may choose to have a lawyer represent you if you wish.
What types of legal education providers are approved in California?
There are two types of approved providers in California: Single Activity Providers and Multiple Activity Providers. A Single Activity Provider (SAP) is an organization approved to hold and grant Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) or Legal Specialty Minimum Continuing Legal Education (LSMCLE) credit for a single MCLE or LSMCLE activity for a period of two years from the date of the activity, provided that no substantive changes are made to the program. A SAP must apply for and receive approval of the activity in accordance with the State Bar’s procedures and pay applicable fee(s). More on becoming a Single Activity Provider
A Multiple Activity Provider (MAP) is an organization approved to hold and grant credit for any MCLE or LSMCLE activity for two years after applying for and receiving approval of MAP status in accordance with State Bar procedures and paying the applicable fee(s). Providers approved for MAP status do not have to submit separate applications to request approval for each program offered. More on becoming a Multiple Activity Provider
I know that the lawyer’s conduct was already reported to the State Bar. Do I still need to report?
Yes, there is no exception in rule 8.3 for when a lawyer knows that a complaint was already filed with the State Bar, concerning the same conduct.
What is a Dashboard? How can I use it?
The dashboard provides a bird’s-eye view of your course availability and completion. The dashboard presents:
New courses that have been launched recently.
Messages: Check this section for important messages from the site administrator.
I just completed a course but the course does not appear on the Completed tab in the “Overall Course Credit Report.”
Although your Dashboard and Learning page update course completion in real-time, the LMS does not update completion progress for the system reports in real-time. The update of the reports will likely appear in your account the day following completion.
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