Firms with state contracts must make good faith' effort to do pro bono
work
Law firms that contract with the State of California for legal services in
excess of $50,000 are now required to certify that they will make a good faith
effort to provide pro bono services during each year of the contract.
New §6072 of the Business & Professions Code, which took effect Jan.
1 after passage of legislation authored by Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento,
uses a formula to determine the minimum number of pro bono hours expected and
provides that failure to make a good faith effort could result in the non-renewal
of a contract.
Although it is not known how many firms are affected by the statute, State
Bar officials estimate that at least 50 firms have contracts with agencies ranging
from the Department of Consumer Affairs to the Department of Transportation.
Any firm renewing a state contract this year or entering into a new contract
with the state for more than $50,000 falls under the new law. If firms have
any questions about the new law's effect on their contract, the contract manager
for the state agency receiving the services should be contacted.
The bar's Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services can assist the
affected firms in finding local legal services or pro bono programs that need
help. Information is available from staff liaison Sharon Ngim, 415-538-2267,
or sharon.ngim@ calbar.ca.gov.
|