Bill > S07860

This bill modifies the New York Judiciary Law to introduce a requirement for pro bono (free legal) service as part of lawyer admission and registration processes. Specifically, the bill allows the court to require candidates for bar admission to complete a certain number of hours of pro bono service before applying, and permits the chief administrator to require attorneys to report their pro bono hours when filing biennial registration statements. Importantly, the bill explicitly excludes pro bono work performed under federal government agreements where the government specifies the recipients or nature of legal services from counting toward these requirements. Additionally, the bill adds a new section prohibiting law firms from requiring employees to perform legal services under such federal government-specified agreements. The provisions will take effect 180 days after becoming law and are set to expire on January 20, 2029. The bill aims to encourage voluntary legal service while preventing mandatory participation in federally-directed legal service programs, giving lawyers and law students more autonomy in how they provide pro bono work.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7860