Pro Bono Practice Program

The Pro Bono Practice Program offers attorneys the opportunity to contribute their legal expertise to Californians in need.

Participants who qualify can have their State Bar annual fees waived and also get free and reduced rates to attend Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE). Pro Bono Practice attorneys provide free legal assistance exclusively for the Program and engage in no other activities that require active status.

See program description in Rule 3.327 of the State Bar Rules.

Benefits of the program

Not only will you have the opportunity to deliver much-needed legal services to the most vulnerable populations in the state, but the program can also benefit you professionally:

Type of legal services typically provided by pro bono attorneys

Volunteer opportunities may vary depending on the need of the client community. Pro bono opportunities may include:

  • Representation (full or limited scope)
  • Negotiation and settlement
  • Screening and intake
  • Brief service by phone or in person
  • Legal information or "Know Your Rights" workshops
  • Document preparation and review
  • Mentoring and training less experienced staff and volunteer attorneys
  • Legal research and writing
  • Consumer/public education
  • Litigation support
  • Legislative research and legal analysis

Application process

Download the Pro Bono Practice Program application.

The application due date is the first business day in February. If you would like to apply to the program after the due date, please contact us first at ProgramDevelopment@calbar.ca.gov or 415-538-2252.

To complete the application, you need to:

  • Identify and contact the qualified legal services provider, State Bar certified lawyer referral service, or court-based self-help center you want to work with;
  • Complete and sign the application;
  • Obtain signatures from the organization’s director or supervising attorney; and
  • Submit the application to the State Bar by email or mail.

Email: ProgramDevelopment@calbar.ca.gov
(If sending by email, please do not send hard copy application by mail)

Mail hard copy application to:
Pro Bono Practice Program
State Bar of California
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

For attorney licensing fees to be waived, both forms must be submitted to the State Bar during the State Bar annual fee billing cycle. Applications submitted after the first business day in February will be considered and processed on an individual basis. However, the State Bar will not waive the annual attorney licensing fee for PBPP applications submitted after the first business day in February. See State Bar Rule 3.326.

Contact us

If you have a question, please see the Pro Bono Program FAQ. If you have any further questions, ProgramDevelopment@calbar.ca.gov or call 415-538-2252.

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