Attention California attorneys: The State Bar now requires all active licensees to report pro bono and reduced fee legal service hours as part of your annual renewal starting with the 2026 licensing fee cycle. You will report hours performed from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 in My State Bar Profile by March 30, 2026, the same deadline as your renewal and fee payment.

You will select a range for your pro bono and reduced fee hours, or you can indicate that you did not track hours or that you did not complete any. There is no minimum number you must provide, but reporting helps the Bar measure access to justice needs across California.

Certain attorneys are exempt, including those employed full time by legal aid organizations, nonprofit public benefit corporations, or government agencies, but you must declare your exemption status in your profile if it applies.

Start tracking your pro bono and reduced fee legal service time now so reporting is simple next year. Doing this supports greater understanding of pro bono efforts in our profession and helps identify where more services are needed.

For step-by-step reporting instructions, visit My State Bar Profile and click the Pro Bono Hours section, or check out the State Bar’s FAQ.

Get Involved!

For attorneys not currently engaged in pro bono work, this requirement is a reminder of the critical need for legal volunteers. Organizations like our sister organization Legal Access Alameda offer numerous opportunities to get involved. Whether you assist at a clinic or provide ongoing representation, your time and expertise can make a transformative difference in someone’s life.

Read our previous blog post: The State Bar Wants You to Report Your Pro Bono Hours | November 22, 2024