How do you get lawyers to perform pro bono services? This question is being debated in a number of states. This past week New York’s chief justice made a change in the state’s bar admission process. Starting next year, the 10,000 or so prospective lawyers who pass the New York State Bar exam will be required to perform 50 hours of pro bono legal services before they are authorized to practice law.
Complete Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/opinion/a-new-lawyers-duty.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
While New York made pro bono work mandatory (which could run afoul of the takings clause of the US Constitution) states like Mississippi have simply asked for a voluntary time commitment or a voluntary donation towards paying for legal services.
How should South Carolina address the issue of requiring prospective lawyers to do pro bono services before getting licensed?
