This New Bill Would Make Pro Bono Mandatory--Or Else Pay Up

"A Central Valley lawmaker says he’ll attempt to do something that has eluded his colleagues and legal groups for years: make pro bono service mandatory in California.

Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, has introduced legislation that would require most active lawyers in the state to provide at least 25 hours of free legal services each year. Attorneys could opt out of the requirement—if they pay $500 to the state bar’s legal aid program.

“The genesis of the idea really came from the case work in our district,” said Gray, who is not a lawyer. The four-term assemblyman said his staff has struggled to find lawyers willing to take the cases of low-income constituents in the 21st District, which encompasses Merced County and parts of Stanislaus County..."

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