Va. R. Sup. Ct. 22

As amended through September 26, 2024

Rule 22 - Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Legal Services Reporting

Rule 6.1 of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct establishes an aspirational goal that every lawyer should render at least two percent per year of the lawyer's professional time to pro bono publico legal services. Providing an opportunity for lawyers to voluntarily report their pro bono service on an annual basis will:

(1) heighten awareness of this ethical responsibility among the bar membership by serving as an annual reminder;

(2) provide a mechanism for the bar to report and measure its collective performance vis-a-vis the aspirational goal set by Rule 6.1;

(3) provide data for the judiciary to support its efforts to promote and recognize pro bono contributions on a local, regional and statewide basis;

(4) provide crucial benchmark data to the Virginia Access to Justice Commission to support its work promoting equal access to justice for Virginia residents; and

(5) enable the bar to educate the public regarding the amount of pro bono publico work provided by its membership to the community, thereby improving the image and standing of the profession and its membership.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court of Virginia requests that each active and associate member of the Virginia State Bar voluntarily supply to the Virginia State Bar certain information regarding their pro bono publico contributions as part of their annual dues renewal. Moreover, the Supreme Court of Virginia grants the Virginia State Bar the authority to collect this information in an efficient manner consistent with the above five enumerated purposes, on a form, which shall be approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia, and which specifically provides an attorney the option not to report.

Va. Sup. Ct. 22

Adopted February 27, 2018, effective 12/1/2018; amended March 13, 2020, effective 5/15/2020.