ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT REQUIRES LAWYERS TO REPORT PRO-BONO WORK . . . According to a new Illinois Supreme Court rule, lawyers must annually report their pro-bono activities, including hours worked and any money contributed to pro-bono efforts. For a news account, see "Illinois lawyers must report pro bono work," by Chris Dettro.
The new rule doesn't require lawyers to do much. Pro-bono efforts must be reported as part of the annual license-renewal procedure, but there's no required minimum or target. The reported information will remain confidential.
So what's the point? The Illinois Supreme Court hopes that the new reporting requirement will serve as a reminder that pro-bono work is important. In addition, it will allow information to be gathered about lawyers' efforts overall. This information might form the basis for reports about pro-bono work by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
For more information, see Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(f) (pdf).
UPDATE: There are interesting comments about the new rule by Carolyn Elefant and Jeremy Richey.
What does this have to do with the supreme court?
Posted by: davod | June 21, 2006 at 12:20 PM
"What does this have to do with the supreme court?"
The state supreme court is in charge of licensing lawyers.
Posted by: StuartSmalley | June 21, 2006 at 03:49 PM
Welcome to the 20th century. Lots of states already do this.
Posted by: EEEEE | June 22, 2006 at 02:13 PM
EEEEE: I'm not one to nitpick, but I think you're welcoming me to the wrong century.
Posted by: Evan | June 22, 2006 at 02:26 PM
*sigh* Jokes stop being funny when I have to explain them.
Posted by: EEEE | June 22, 2006 at 04:21 PM