Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I have to report my pro bono hours?
A. Yes. Under the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar Chapter 4. Rules of Professional Conduct, 4-6.1(d):
Each member of the bar must annually report whether the member has satisfied the member’s professional responsibility to provide pro bono legal services to the poor through the member’s annual membership fees statement as developed by The Florida Bar. At minimum, the statement must include the number of hours of pro bono legal services provided and the dollar amount of contributions to pro bono legal services organizations.
The form will contain the following categories from which each member will be allowed to choose in reporting whether the member has provided pro bono legal services to the poor:
- I have personally provided (number of hours) pro bono legal services to the poor: (a) on my own or (b) through an organized legal aid program
- My firm provided pro bono services collectively under a plan with the following Florida Circuit Pro Bono Committee (circuit number) and I was allocated (number) hours.
- I have contributed to a legal aid organization (amount in whole dollars).
- I have not provided pro bono legal services to the poor this year or made a contribution to a legal aid organization.
- During the reporting period, I was deferred from the provision of reporting pro bono legal services to the poor because I am (option to choose one: a member of judiciary, judicial staff, a government lawyer prohibited by statute, rule or regulation from providing services, retired, inactive)
Q. Am I required to provide a certain number of pro bono hours?
A. No, the rules state that “[e]ach member of the bar should strive to individually satisfy the member’s professional responsibility to provide pro bono legal service to the poor.” The aspirational goal is 20 hours annually in pro bono service or $350 in contributions to legal aid organizations.
Q. Several members of my law firm contributed pro bono hours to one project; do we report them as a law firm or individually?
A. Individually. Your firm will credit the hours among the firm’s lawyers in a fair and reasonable manner as determined by the firm. Please check with your firm administrator.
Q. I did not report my pro bono hours on my Annual Dues statement form. How can I report them now?
A. Just send an email or letter to Membership Records, 651 E. Jefferson St. Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300.