Remember, New York requires you to complete 50 hours of pro bono work for admission to the bar

[Pro Bono]

Applicants for Admission to the New York State bar must provide an affidavit certifying that they have completed fifty (50) hours of law-related pro bono work.

Qualifying law-related pro bono work includes:
o Law school clinics
o Law school Externship or law-related internship placements
o Law school practica
o Internships with a Judge or court system (providing law-related services)
o Federal, state or local government agency or legislative body (excluding political work or political party work)
o Law-related work for a not-for-profit organization

See “New York State Bar Admission: Pro Bono Requirement FAQs” at: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/ATTORNEYS ... ission.pdf

The affidavit requires your supervising attorney or judge to verify the work and hours. It is submitted with your Application for Admission to the appropriate Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court. 22 NYCRR §520.16 (Rules of the NYS Court of Appeals. SO, you must complete the 50 hours before or immediately after the bar exam.

Make it easy on yourself - get your pro bono done during law school.

In addition to credit bearing Clinics, Externships and Practica in your second and third year of law school, you could do volunteer pro bono during the semester, in the Bridge (January) period and/or in the summer. For pro bono possibilities in Western New York, go to: https://www.law.buffalo.edu/current/pro-bono.html

Available in January Bridge and beyond:

Attorney of the Morning assists renters who face eviction in Buffalo City Court every morning. Or, help answer the Housing Hotline to provide advice and information to people outside Erie County. Contact Gretchen Gonzalez, Deputy Director at (716) 847-0662 Ext. 331 or ggonzalez@ecbavlp.com

CLARO Buffalo: http://clarobuffalo.org/?page_id=174 help provide limited scope legal services to unrepresented debtors under the supervision of volunteer and staff attorneys from the WNY Law Center. Contact: Paulette Campbell, CLARO Managing Attorney at pcampbell@wnylc.com

Family Court Help Desk is a free walk in Clinic in Family Court where you would work with a volunteer attorney. Erie County Family Court Monday – Friday 11:30 am – 2 pm; Niagara County in Niagara Falls, Wednesdays from 11 am – 1:30 pm. Contact Shelby Maroselli, Attorney in charge of the Help Desk at (716) 847-0662 Ext. 305 or
smaroselli@ecbavlp.com