ABA dues waiver to become available for pro bono work

Pro bono work has long been supported and encouraged by the ABA, and the association's Board of Governors has just approved a plan it hopes will further encourage lawyers to contribute to their community by making retired and inactive members who have provided 500 hours of pro bono service in the prior year eligible for a waiver of their ABA membership dues the following year. The dues waiver will starting in the next bar year (Sept. 1, 2007, through Aug. 31, 2008) - earning those pro bono hours starts now!

The dues waiver program complements one of President Karen Mathis's core initiatives - the Second Season of Service - which seeks to harness the talents of lawyers in the baby boomer population, a generation that is redefining retirement from a time of leisure to a time of renewed vigor and purpose.

Upon request, an ABA member who is no longer in the active practice of law who completes 500 hours of pro bono legal service within a calendar year may receive a dues waiver with appropriate documentation. The definition of pro bono legal services work is set forth in Model Rule 6.1. The applicant must show proof that at least 250 of the 500 hours of pro bono work involved direct representation of persons of limited means or organizations that provide services to those individuals, service on boards of organizations serving the poor, or serving as non-compensated legal staff for such organizations.

Applicants will self-certify by submitting a signed document attesting to the 500 hours and the 250 minimum hours in the services outlined immediately above. To participate in this program, contact the ABA Service Center at 1-800-285-2221 or Service@abanet.org.