Retired attorneys or attorneys taking a break from the active practice of law can participate in a wide range of pro bono activities including mentoring, participation in a legal clinic or full representation. The State Bar waives the annual fee for those who practice solely for the purpose of providing pro bono legal assistance through pro bono legal services providers. For more information and an application see the Pro Bono Practice Program.

A Registered Foreign Legal Consultant is admitted to practice and is in good standing as an attorney, counselor at law, or the equivalent in a foreign country and has a current State Bar Certificate of Registration as a Foreign Legal Consultant. A Registered Foreign Legal Consultant may practice the law of their country in California but may not practice California law. Please see rule 9.44 of the California Rules of Court and Title 3, Division 3, Chapter 4 of the Rules of the State Bar.

The State Bar conducts an annual Attorney Census to gather demographic and employment data from the state’s licensees. The Attorney Census contains questions on demographic characteristics, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and veteran’s status. For more information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions about the Attorney Census.

There is only a tiny fraction of legal aid attorneys in California out of all active attorneys to address the legal problems of millions of needy clients. As an attorney, you have legal training and a license to practice law. You can make a real difference in people’s lives. Studies have repeatedly shown that attorneys get better results than clients who are forced to represent themselves.

An applicant must:

• have been admitted to practice law and have been in good standing as an attorney, counselor at law, or equivalent in a foreign country for at least four of the six years immediately preceding the application, and have actually practiced the law of that country;
• possess good moral character (an Application for Determination of Moral Character is required and will be processed by the Office of Admissions in the same manner as for California bar applicants); and
• provide the Office of Admissions with a written statement agreeing to maintain required security for claims for errors, omissions, and dishonest conduct.

Absolutely! All attorneys are encouraged to contribute their time and/or financial support. Please consider making a contribution directly to a pro bono legal services provider, or contribute to the Greg E. Knoll Justice Gap Fund annually through the State Bar licensee fee statement or on the State Bar’s website. 

Applications are available in the Applicant Portal. You must create an account using your name, email address, and password to gain access to the Applicant Portal.

Most legal aid and pro bono organizations track the number of pro bono hours by their volunteers and law firms track the number of pro bono hours contributed by their firm members.  In September 2024, the California legislature passed a law requiring active licensees to report hours provided for pro bono and reduced fee legal services annually. Through My State Bar Profile, attorneys may report this information optionally in 2025 and will be required to report this information in 2026.