NC Pro Bono Resource Center Launches Survey Regarding Pro Bono Involvement

Rule 6.1 of the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct encourages North Carolina attorneys to provide at least fifty hours of pro bono legal services each year. Recognizing the logistical hurdles that often hinder pro bono work, the North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission proudly launched the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center in 2016.

One of the first issues identified by the Center was North Carolina’s inability to track the pro bono services rendered by attorneys every year. Tracking pro bono efforts helps identify unmet legal needs and illuminate larger trends relevant to access to justice issues statewide. It also provides a public record recognizing the amazing and valuable contributions made by attorneys across North Carolina who selflessly volunteer their time every year.

The North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center has created a new survey designed to fill this need. Between now and March 15, 2017, North Carolina attorneys are encouraged to visit www.ncprobono.org and complete a brief survey about their pro bono service during calendar year 2016. Completing the survey should take approximately ten minutes, and individuals have the option to do so anonymously.  Any attorney who reports at least fifty hours of pro bono service will be inducted into the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society and will receive a certificate from the Supreme Court of North Carolina honoring his or her achievement.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.  Any questions may be directed to Sylvia Novinsky at sylvia@ncprobono.org.