George Mason Law School Pro Bono Society
Providing Student Opportunities for Service and Growth in our Community
Frequently asked questions
What counts toward pro bono hours?
(a) Any 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 that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means; and
(b) provide any 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 educational 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 the legal profession.
Do my hours towards the pledge have to be legally related?
No. Some state bars, like New York, require a certain amount of your pro bono hours to be legal. However, for George Mason's pledge, there is no requirement for a certain number of hours to be legal services. Make sure to check the state bar where you take your exam to see if they have a pro bono requirement.
Is there a penalty if I don't complete the pledge?
Nope. There are no negative consequences for not completing the pledge so it is a great idea to sign up regardless of whether you think you will be able to complete them or not.
Why should I participate in pro bono work if i don't want to go into a public interest related legal career?
Most large law firms have a required number of pro bono hours you must complete annually. Additionally, some state bar exams require pro bono hours to be admitted. Plus, it is a great way to get practical, legal experience and explore many different areas of law without having to commit to an entire semester or career in that field.