Continuing Legal Education (CLE)/Pro Bono State Rules
| ABA Model Rule 6.1 | Table of State Ethics Rules | Standards for Pro Bono Programs | Emeritus Attorney Rules | Pro Bono Reporting | CLE Credit for Doing Pro Bono |
A number of states have implemented rules that permit attorneys who take pro bono cases to earn credit toward mandatory CLE requirements. The table below summarizes the status of these rules.
| State | Action | MCLE* | For Pro Bono | Originator | Date | Date | Type of Policy | Pro Bono |
|
AZ |
Proposed, Rejected |
15/yr (3) |
3 hrs credit/yr |
State Bar Legal Svcs Cmte |
Approved 11/98 |
Rejected 4/28/00 |
Amendment to Sup. Ct Rule 45 (new subsection) |
|
|
CO |
Adopted |
45 units/3 yrs (7) |
9 units/3 yrs |
Colorado Supreme Court and Colorado Bar Association |
|
Effective Jan. 1, 2005 |
Amendment to CO Rules of Civil Procedure Chapter 20, Rule 260.8 |
|
|
DE |
Adopted |
24 hours/ 2 years (4) |
6 hours/2 years |
|
|
Effective |
Amendment to Del. Rules for Continuing Legal Education |
|
|
NY |
Adopted |
24/2yrs (4) for all except admittees after 10/1/97 (32/first 2yrs (3)) |
1 credit/6 hrs, max 6 credits/2 yrs |
Chief Judge of Court of Appeals (highest state court in NY) |
Proposed 3/5/00 by Admin. Bd of Cts |
Approved 5/00 by CLE Board, effective as of 1/1/00 |
Amendment to MCLE rules, i.e. subsection (j) of §1500.22 |
|
|
MN |
Adopted |
45 units/3yrs (5) |
1 credit/6 hours Max 6 credits/3 yrs. |
Minnesota Supreme Court |
|
Effective |
Amendment to the Rules of the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education |
|
|
TN |
Adopted |
15/yr (3) |
1 hr. credit/5 billable hours |
Commission on Continuing Legal Ed and Specialization |
Added by order filed 12/10/98 |
Implemented 1/99, |
Added subsection (c) to Sup. Ct Rule 21 §4.07 |
|
|
VT |
Tried, Not Pursued |
20/2 yrs (2) |
6 credits/2 yrs, max [Direct credit] |
Vermont Volunteer Lawyers Project |
2/1/97 start |
1/31/99 finish (2-yr pilot project) |
Supreme Court Experimental Rule, Admin. Order 37 |
|
|
WA |
Adopted |
45/3 yrs (6**) |
6 hrs credit/2 hrs educ. + 4 hrs subsequent direct rep |
WSBA Pro Bono and Legal Aid Cmte |
2/98 approval by WSBA Bd of Govs |
in process of enactment as of 8/00 |
Amendments to MCLE Rule, Regulations 103 & 104 |
|
|
WY |
Adopted |
15/yr |
3 hrs. credit/yr |
|
amended April 22, 2003 |
effective July 1, 2003 |
Amendments to State Court of Wyoming Rules for Continuing Legal Education |
|
*
number in parentheses indicates annual hourly breakdown requirement for ethics and/or professional responsibility/professionalism, if any.** indicates alternative courses acceptable (e.g. bias, office management, malpractice prevention or substance abuse).
