New York rule boosts pro bono in Florida

Thanks, New York.

A requirement in the Empire State that applicants do 50 hours of pro bono work before being admitted as lawyers has directly benefitted Florida legal aid agencies and pro bono programs.

The Florida Bar’s Pro Bono Legal Services Committee heard about the mandate October 7 at the Bar’s General Meeting. Committee member Angela Vigil chairs a subcommittee that is looking at other state’s pro bono efforts and she reported that in 2015 New York adopted the 50-hour standard for everyone seeking a legal license there.