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.
May I have my administrator or paralegal respond to the audit on my behalf?
You may choose to delegate, however, you are ultimately responsible for the safe-keeping of your documentation, the accurate and timely submission of your response to the audit notice and payment of any penalties.
What if I completed more than 25 credit hours? Should I submit them all?
Please submit the required amount of hours based on your status during the compliance period. Excess hours may not be applied to the next compliance period.
Can I fax my Certificate to the State Bar?
No. The certificate should be mailed since it must include the $50 processing fee.
How much credit do I get for a self-study education activity?
Providers are not required to give a certificate of attendance for approved self-study education, but they are required to specify the total amount of credit hours available and the number of those total hours allocated to the special requirement areas.
What are some examples of exempt and nonexempt attorneys?
Exempt
Attorney employees of California Superior Courts
Attorneys employed by the State of California who pass judgment or opinion on the law as part of their job duties.
Law Clerks provided they are employed on a permanent or probationary basis
Attorneys employed by the military services (acting within the scope of their employment)
Nonexempt:
Attorneys employed by the University of California
Attorneys employed by the State Bar of California
District attorneys and public defenders
Annuitants, contractors, and consultants
Attorneys performing work on behalf of the State or Federal Government as part of their employment by a nongovernment entity.
How long does my registration last?
You may practice as registered in-house counsel as long as you remain eligible and your registration remains current.
Do I have to renew my registration?
Yes. You must renew your registration annually by filing the appropriate form and fees.
Am I eligible if I am regularly employed, or regularly engage in substantial business or professional activities, in California?
No. (Rule 9.47 & 9.48)
What is Registered In-House Counsel? (Rule 9.46)
An attorney who is licensed to practice law in one or more U.S. jurisdictions other than California, resides in California, provides legal services as in-house counsel for a single qualifying institution in California, and is registered by the State Bar of California. See General Information FAQs for additional information.
If I failed the California Bar Exam after my registration as a registered legal services attorney, would my status be affected?
No. If you have successfully registered as a legal services attorney, your status will not change if you thereafter fail the California Bar Exam.
Under 9.46, may a non-California attorney register to work with more than one qualifying institution?
In-House Counsel may only register to work with a single qualifying institution.
Am I eligible if I have resigned with charges pending, or been disbarred or suspended from the practice of law in any other jurisdiction?
No.
How can I get a hard copy of the renewal packet?
Renewal packets are available by calling the Office of Admissions at 213-765-1519 or by sending an e-mail to mjp@calbar.ca.gov.
Why become a Leadership Bank?
Increased visibility as a partner in access to justice: The State Bar will prominently highlight Leadership Banks on its website, including their names first on the list of financial institutions eligible to hold IOLTA accounts, and including hyperlinks to their institution’s website. The State Bar will draw attention the Leadership Bank program in its communications and publications seen by attorneys around the state, emphasizing how selecting a Leadership Bank for IOLTA funds will increase funding for civil legal aid to vulnerable low-income Californians.
Marketing edge: Financial institutions will have permission to advertise their Leadership Bank designation and branding as evidence of their support for their communities and for civil legal aid.
Ability to obtain Community Reinvestment Act credit: Being a Leadership Bank will help financial institutions fulfill their obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) by generating funds that will go directly towards assisting those most in need. Civil legal aid helps prevent homelessness, protect families, and stop wage theft, among many other areas that align with CRA development goals. Becoming a Leadership Bank is an investment in the community that contributes to its overall economic strength and stability
Demonstrated social responsibility: Financial institutions care about their customers and their communities. This is another way to support veterans, seniors, and low-income Californians struggling with disability benefits, medical care, and their financial health. The California Justice Gap Study estimates that 33 percent of the problems that low-income Californians seek help for will not be resolved due to insufficient resources. In fact, in the past year only 27 percent of low-income Californians received some legal help for issues that matter the most to them; less significant issues received even less support. The Leadership Bank program is an immediate and critical means to start filling the gap by providing additional interest on IOLTA accounts that in turn will fund more services to these clients.
Source: State Bar of California, The California Justice Gap Study: Measuring the Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Californians (2019).
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