Lippman Announces Pro Bono Requirement for NY Bar Admission

[Chris_]

Lippman Announces Pro Bono Requirement for NY Bar Admission

Starting next year, prospective lawyers must show that they have performed at least 50 hours of law-related pro bono service before being admitted to the New York state bar, Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman announced yesterday.

The chief judge said in his annual Law Day address at the Court of Appeals that the requirement would serve a two-fold purpose: It would address the large, unmet need for lawyers to represent the poor and it would inculcate in aspiring lawyers a career-long duty to serve the public.

NY Law Journal

Really?  I wonder if this would fly with the NY Medical Board or whoever licenses doctors in the state (or any other profession).

[Eupher]

Kinda makes me wonder whether or not Lippman himself did pro bono work when he was up to his ass in law school debt and was trying to nail down enough money to pay off his student loans, pay for a place to live, and eat. You know, little things like that.

[DefiantSix]

Yup.  Enforced volunteerism. Great "character building" for middle school children, what could go wrong by requiring a bunch of slimy, scum-sucking bottom feeders in training to put up before they become slimy, scum sucking bottom feeders for real.