Survey - Pro Bono Work

Pro Bono Work Survey: Are You Willing To Do More?

Under the Rules of Professional Conduct, attorneys are encouraged to provide some services on a pro bono basis. Sadly few do, despite the overwhelming need to provide legal services to those who cannot afford to pay. Very few firms have a formal pro bono policy.

The pro bono and legal aid committee of the Washington State Bar Association are looking into what can be done to change this. What would be an incentive for you and your practice to do more pro bono work? Completing the attached questionnaire providing your views on our ideas and adding your own thoughts is the first step in this very worthwhile project.

Thank you for you time and cooperation.
Pro Bono and Legal Aid Committee

Incentive to do Pro Bono Work

Name and firm details (optional)

How many attorneys work in your practice?

How many offices do you have?

What are your primary areas of practice?

Does your practice have a pro bono policy? If so provide details.

How many pro bono hours per year does your firm provide? In what areas of practice?

Would you be willing to increase your pro bono hours if offered the right incentive?

What, in your opinion, are the major disincentives to pro bono work?

Which, if any, of the following would be an incentive to your increasing the number of pro bono hours you provide? Provide a yes/no answer and expand and comment as necessary in the space provided

B & O tax breaks/deductions for firms
Implementation of a "Neighborhood Assistance Act" providing tax incentives to businesses who provide pro bono legal assistance or assistance (financial or non financial) to community development organizations.
Rebate on student loans for attorneys providing a minimum number of pro bono hours.
Referral of "paid" cases from agencies in return for accepting a certain number of pro bono cases.
Access to "brief banks" to reduce the input and time required in handling pro bono cases.
Offering pro bono services on a task rather than case basis eg. Briefing issues.
Public recognition for pro bono work e.g. in the Bar News
Any other comments or ideas?

Send your completed survey to Sharlene Steele. As an alternative, you may send the completed form to Washington State Bar Association, 2101 4^th Ave, 4^th Floor, Seattle, WA 98121-2352.