NY approves proposal to require pro bono services as pre-requisite for admission to practice

Back in May I reported Now comes news that starting in 2013, candidates to admission in New York state will be required to show that they have performed at least 50 hours of law-related pro bono service as a requirement for admission to the New York state bar. (See here).  The proposal generated the never ending debate on whether pro bono should ever be mandatory.  For posts on some of the reaction to the proposal go here and here. 

Today, the proposal became law. Starting in 2015, aspiring lawyers in NY will first have to complete 50 hours of free legal service in order to practice law in the state. The new rule is the first of its kind in the country.  For more on the story go the Wall Street Journal law blog, Legal Ethics Forum and PR: a contemporary approach blog all of which have even more links.