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PRINTER'S NO. 2326
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
455
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY DEAN, BOBACK, McNEILL, D. COSTA, DeLUCA, FREEMAN
AND SOLOMON, AUGUST 24, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, AUGUST 24, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to require pro bono
legal service as a condition of admission to the Pennsylvania
Bar.
WHEREAS, The practice of law requires commitment to
individuals who lack resources to the legal system; and
WHEREAS, The pressing economic situation, nationally and in
this Commonwealth, has reduced access to legal services; and
WHEREAS, Rules 6.1 through 6.5 of the Rules of Professional
Conduct (relating to public service), encourage pro bono legal
service; and
WHEREAS, Specifically, Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional
Conduct provides that:
"A lawyer should render public interest legal service. A
lawyer may discharge this responsibility by providing
professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of
limited means or to public service or charitable groups or
organizations, by service in activities for improving the law,
the legal system or the legal profession, and by financial
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support for organizations that provide legal services to persons
of limited means";
and
WHEREAS, Applicants for admission to the Bar of the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania will achieve educational and social value
by participating in pro bono legal service; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York has recently required pro bono
legal service of applicants for admission to the New York State
Bar; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania to amend Rule 203(b) of the Pennsylvania
Bar Admission Rules (relating to admission of graduates of
accredited and unaccredited institutions) by requiring up to 50
hours of supervised pro bono service in compliance with Rules
6.1 through 6.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners.
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