TO: All Attorneys Licensed in Montana
FROM: Chief Justice Mike McGrath
RE: 2017 Pro Bono Reporting Form
Thank you for completing the 2017 Pro Bono Reporting Form. The Form is designed to conform with Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Reports from lawyers help the Court and the State Bar assess the existing need for legal assistance in Montana and gather data on the volunteer hours contributed by Montana lawyers to meet the need in their communities and across the state. Your input helps us develop programs that make it easier for lawyers to volunteer their services and educate the public, the Legislature, and other policy makers on the demand for and value of legal services throughout the State.
Rule 6.1 - PRO BONO PUBLICO SERVICE
Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay. A lawyer should render at least [50] hours of pro bono publico legal services per year. In fulfilling this responsibility, the lawyer should:
(a) provide a substantial majority of the [50] hours of legal services without fee or expectation of fee to:
(1) persons of limited means; or
(2) charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters which are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means; and
(b) provide additional services through:
(1) delivery of legal services at no fee or substantially reduced fee to individuals, groups or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties or public rights, or charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and education organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes, where the payment of standard legal fees would significantly deplete the organization's economic resources or would be otherwise inappropriate;
(2) delivery of legal services at a substantially reduced fee to persons of limited means; or
(3) participation in activities for improving the law, the legal system or legal profession.
In addition, a lawyer should voluntarily contribute financial support to organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.
(Revised Rule effective April 1, 2004.) Emphasis added.1.
Security and Electronic Reporting
This electronic reporting uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), a cryptographic system that encrypts information during transmission to and from the reporting site. The electronic pro bono form takes only a few minutes and guarantees timely reporting. Click on "Continue" below to continue with electronic reporting.
Forms and Deadline
Pro Bono Reporting deadline is January 31, 2018.