From the New York Law Journal, October 1, 2013
Background from KLLC:
Martin Karlinsky’s career-long leadership in pro bono legal representation qualifies him as an insightful commentator on New York State’s April 2013 ruling that requires attorneys to report their hours committed to pro bono causes and recommends an increase of pro bono hours to 50 from 20 annually.
Martin reflects in an October 1, 2013, New York Law Journal article that among the challenges for small law firms posed by these requirements is the absence of legal services groups dedicated to screening and coordinating pro bono work for them. Large firms may have full-time counsel to supervise their pro bono program.
The article highlights the burden that the increased pro bono hours place on small, boutique, and single-lawyer practices. Many attorneys and law firms are already contributing to their communities through pro bono commitments. They state that the definition of pro bono work is unclear and that free consultations and services and reduced-rate billing for low-income clients should count toward meeting the new recommendation. Handling a full litigation case is not realistic with their limited resources.
Karlinsky LLC’s legal and professional staff provides pro bono expertise to varied organizations, including the American Friends of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, RESOLVE, and the Wolf Conservation Center of South Salem, NY.
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