New York pro bono law

Pro bono requirements in New York.

Pro bono rules, reporting obligations, and CLE credit eligibility for New York attorneys.

Overview

New York Pro Bono Rules

Recommended

50 hrs/yr

Service

Voluntary

Reporting

Mandatory

CLE Credit

Yes

Rule Citation

Rule 6.1 + 22 NYCRR Part 118 + Rule 520.16

Recommended Hours

50 hours per year (voluntary)

Reporting

Mandatory — Biennial attorney registration statement (for 2-year period ending Dec 31 of year prior to filing)

CLE Credit for Pro Bono

1 credit per 2 hours (max 10 credits per cycle)

CLE Notes

Credits count as "skills" category. Must be through court assignment or Approved Pro Bono CLE Provider. Credit NOT awarded for pro bono outside NY State. Calculated in half-credit increments. 2-year biennial cycle.

New Admittee Requirement

50 hours of qualifying pro bono work required before filing bar application (Rule 520.16, effective Jan 1, 2015). Must submit Affidavit of Compliance with supervising attorney signature. NY is the only state with this requirement.

Eligible Case Types

Persons unable to pay; civil rights, civil liberties, public rights; charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, educational organizations. Qualifying work for new admittees includes law school clinics, externships with nonprofits, public defenders, prosecutors, government agencies.

New York CLE Requirements

Total Credits

24 / 2-year cycle

Deadline

Birthday (biennial)

Carryover

Required Categories

Ethics / Professionalism (4h)Diversity, Inclusion & Elimination of Bias (1h)Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection (1h)

Sources

Last verified 2026-03-01. Rules may change — verify with your state bar before relying on this information for compliance decisions.

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Pro bono requirements in New York.

New York Pro Bono Rules

New York CLE Requirements

Sources

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