1Urging the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to require pro bono
2legal service as a condition of admission to the Pennsylvania
3Bar.

4WHEREAS, The practice of law requires commitment to
5individuals who lack resources to the legal system; and

6WHEREAS, The pressing economic situation, nationally and in
7Pennsylvania, has reduced access to legal services; and

8WHEREAS, Rules 6.1 through 6.5 of the Rules of Professional
9Conduct (relating to public service), encourage pro bono legal
10service; and

11WHEREAS, Specifically, Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional
12Conduct provides that:

13"A lawyer should render public interest legal service. A
14lawyer may discharge this responsibility by providing
15professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of
16limited means or to public service or charitable groups or
17organizations, by service in activities for improving the law,
18the legal system or the legal profession, and by financial

1support for organizations that provide legal services to persons
2of limited means";

3and

4WHEREAS, Applicants for admission to the Bar of the Supreme
5Court of Pennsylvania will achieve educational and social value
6by participating in pro bono legal service; and

7WHEREAS, The State of New York has recently required pro bono
8legal service of applicants for admission to the New York State
9Bar; therefore be it

10RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Supreme
11Court of Pennsylvania to amend Rule 203(b) of the Pennsylvania
12Bar Admission Rules (relating to admission of graduates of
13accredited and unaccredited institutions) by requiring up to 50
14hours of supervised pro bono service in compliance with Rules
156.1 through 6.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (relating
16to public service); and be it further

17RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
18the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners.