Posted January 15, 20141:52 pm
Did you know...
in Ohio you can get CLE (continuing legal education credit) for doing pro bono service?
Beginning January 1, 2014 - the Rules for the Government of the Bar allow for CLE credit to be earned for doing pro bono service! Six hours of pro bono service must be completed to earn one hour of CLE credit (up to a maximum of six CLE's can be earned in this way via 36 hours of pro bono service).
VOLUNTEER TODAY with Legal Aid to begin earning hours! Click here to register yourself as a volunteer and to get an assignment.
Helpful links:
- Information from the Ohio Supreme Court Regarding Pro Bono Credit
- Form 23: "Application f0r CLE credit for Pro Bono Legal Serices"
Frequently Asked Questions:
What kind of pro bono legal services are eligible for CLE credit?
In order for pro bono legal services to be eligible for CLE credit, the pro bono legal services must be performed for a person of limited means, or a charitable organization and the case or matter must be assigned, verified, and reported to the CLE Commission by: An organization receiving funding from the Legal Services Corporation or the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation; The Ohio State Bar Association, a metropolitan bar association, or a county bar association; any other organization that has applied and is recognized by the CLE Commission as providing pro bono programs or services in Ohio.
How do I obtain pro bono work that may be eligible for CLE credit?
Contact your local legal aid, bar association or a recognized pro bono program to request a participation in a qualified pro bono effort; e.g. a case or a clinic. You should also verify that the organization is recognized by the CLE Commission to report CLE credits for pro bono legal services.
How many hours of pro bono legal services are required to earn an hour of CLE credit?
Six hours of pro bono legal services is required to earn one hour of CLE credit.
How many hours of CLE credit may be earned through pro bono legal services in a reporting biennium?
A maximum of six hours of CLE credit may be earned in a reporting biennium through eligible pro bono legal services: the hours, however, must be reported on an annual basis.
Can less than one hour of CLE credit be earned through pro bono legal services? Potentially. An organization is permitted to submit a request to the CLE Commission for less than one hour credit. That submission will be reviewed by the Commission for possible credit less than one hour. As a general rule, the minimum amount of CLE credit earned through eligible pro bono legal services is one CLE credit. Once the one hour has been earned, fractional CLE credit hours for eligible pro bono legal services are allowed, in quarter hour increments.
Can I carry forward to the next reporting biennium any CLE credits for pro bono legal services earned in excess of the six CLE credits allowed per biennial period?
No, the number of CLE credits that may be earned in any biennium through eligible pro bono legal services is capped at six CLE credit hours, and any CLE credit earned in excess of the cap may not be carried forward to the next biennium.
How will hours of pro bono legal services be verified by an organization eligible to report CLE credits earned through pro bono legal services to the CLE Commission?
An attorney is responsible for submitting CLE Form 23 with a breakdown of hours to the assigning organization. Each organization providing pro bono programs or services in Ohio is responsible for collecting and verifying an attorney’s pro bono legal services. Once verified, the organization, not the attorney, is responsible for reporting an attorney’s CLE credit hours to the CLE Commission.