Pro Bono Requirement for New York Bar

For JD or LLM students considering sitting for the New York Bar, there is a requirement that persons applying for admission to the New York State Bar must file an affidavit of compliance showing that they have performed at least 50 hours of qualifying pro bono service. The requirement does not need to be completed before you take the bar exam, but you must provide proof of compliance prior to filing an application for admission.  See rule (22 NYCRR 520.16). New York is currently the only state bar that has a pro bono requirement.

The requirement affects both JD and LLM students.

Students are required to complete Affidavits of Compliance for each project used to meet the 50 hours requirement. If more than one project is used to make up the 50 hours, students will need to file affidavits for each project. All affidavits must include the signature of the project’s supervising attorney. It is recommended that you complete the form(s) at the time you complete the pro bono work. The staff of Northwestern's Pro Bono and Public Service program cannot sign Affidavits of Compliance. 

Timing of pro bono service for JD students is any time after the commencement of the applicant's legal studies and prior to filing an application for admission to the New York State bar. LLM students may also count qualifying pro bono service completed outside the United States during the one year before the commencement of their LLM course of study.

Location of pro bono service includes anywhere in the world.

Qaulifying Pro Bono

The New York Bar’s definition of pro bono differs from that of Northwestern's Pro Bono and Public Service Program. Some pro bono hours may count for one program, but not for the other. Because Northwestern Law is not the administrator of this requirement, we cannot officially confirm that a particular activity is eligible for NY's pro bono requirement. If you want to confirm that your pro bono hours will qualify, you can contact the Advisory Committee on the New York State Pro Bono Bar Admission Requirement at ProBonoRule@nycourts.gov.

Under the New York State Bar, pro bono service is defined as supervised law-related work that (1) assists in the provision of legal services without charge for persons of limited means; not-for-profit organizations; or individuals, groups, organizations seeking to secure or promote access to justice, including, but not limited to, the protection of civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights; or (2) assists in the provision of legal assistance in public service for a judicial, legislative, executive, or other governmental entity.

For more information on this requirement and how to satisfy it, we strongly recommend that you review the Pro bono FAQs from New York State Office of Court Administration (pdf).

Examples of qualifying pro bono:

  • Summer public service or governmental internships (paid or unpaid)
  • Judicial internships (FAQ No. 12)
  • Law School clinics that provide assistance to low-income clients (Entrepreneurship Law Center may not qualify) (FAQ No. 15)
  • Private law firm pro bono (FAQ No. 27)
  • Externships (with or without academic credit)
  • Pro bono work for a law school faculty member

 * All information provided is subject to change, be sure to read the New York Pro Bono Bar Admissions Requirement for the latest updates.