CA SB1257

Requires law school applicants entering on or after January 1, 2018 to complete at least 50 hours of supervised pro bono legal service prior to admission to practice law in California.

Pro bono service must be performed under supervision of a law school faculty member, licensed attorney in good standing, or other person with appropriate licensing to represent clients before relevant judicial bodies or government agencies.

Qualifying pro bono work includes service with legal aid organizations, nonprofits, law school clinics, law firms, charitable organizations, and attorney incubator programs that benefit low-income or indigent persons or advance civil rights and justice.

Applicants and supervising attorneys must complete and sign a certification form upon completion of pro bono hours, with the State Bar conducting random audits to ensure compliance and law schools required to publicly disclose available pro bono opportunities.

Exempts applicants already admitted to practice in another jurisdiction, those with foreign J.D. degrees, and LL.M. degree program applicants from the requirement.