NYT: Mandatory Pro Bono To Start in 2013
On May 1 (Law Day), the New York Times reported that Chief Judge Lippman has mandated pro bono service for new lawyers starting in 2013, making New York the first state to do so.
The approximately 10,000 lawyers who apply to the New York State Bar each year will have to demonstrate that they have performed 50 hours of pro bono work to be admitted, Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman said. He said the move was intended to provide about a half-million hours of badly needed legal services to those with urgent problems, like foreclosure and domestic violence.
What do you think? Is this a good development or not so good? Is this the right solution to a pressing problem? Share your thoughts!