Legislation Supporting Pro Bono Participation for Law Firms with Substantial State Contracts

California - 030145

Abstract Number: 030145

September 2003

California stakeholders participated in efforts to pass AB913, which requires that law firms with state contracts over $50,000 make a good faith effort to provide pro bono services to low-income people, organizations that provide services to low-income people, or civil rights organizations. The legislation became effective January 1, 2003 and the State Bar of California's Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services (SCDLS) has taken responsibility for providing technical expertise to policy-makers in Sacramento. The Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC) will work with law firms to ensure that firms know about the new requirements and both SCDLS and LAAC provide technical support as needed. To learn more about this initiative, access the legislation below as a PDF document. In addition, SCDLS led efforts to revise and update the State Bar's Pro Bono Resolution, and has begun a campaign to encourage similar efforts at the local bar level.

Contact Information:

Sharon Ngim
State Bar of California
Office of Legal Services, Access & Fairness Programs
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 538-2267
Fax: (415) 538-2552
Email

Additional Information:

• Business and Professional Code Section 6073 (71kb, PDF)

• Pro Bono Resolution as adopted by the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California at its December 9, 1989 Meeting and amended at its June 22, 2002 Meeting (91kb, PDF)

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