The Supreme Judicial Court has recently established a new Pro Bono
Recognition Program for lawyers who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to
pro bono work by voluntarily assisting vulnerable people of limited financial
means with their legal issues. Each year the Program will honor those law firms,
solo practitioners, in-house corporate counsel offices, government attorneys'
offices, non-profit organizations and law school faculties which certify that
they have met the Program criteria by providing significant pro bono legal
services.
To qualify for the voluntary Program, the lawyer, firm, or organization must
certify that the pro bono legal services hours per attorney on average is at
least 50 in a given year; or more than 75 percent of the Massachusetts attorneys
have provided at least 25 pro bono hours in a year. More specific criteria are
listed in the program description linked to below.
The Supreme Judicial Court will acknowledge the attorneys, law firms and
organizations which certify for the Recognition Program with a letter of
appreciation for their commitment to pro bono legal work. The names will be
listed on the SJC website and they will be honored each year at a special event
at the John Adams Courthouse. To date, eight solo practitioners and law
firms have certified.
Those organizations which submit their certification forms for calendar year
2010 by September 15, 2011 will be invited to send a representative to the
October 2011 recognition event. The certification form and program information
can be found on the SJC
website.