The Commission proposed that Rule 6.1, Pro Bono Service, of the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct (“HRPC”) and its commentary be amended as follows:
Rule 6.1 Pro Bono Service
A lawyer should aspire to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono services per year. In fulfilling this responsibility, the lawyer should:
(a) provide at least 25 hours of 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 which are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means;* * * *
Comment [2]
Paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) recognize the critical need for legal services that exists among persons of limited means by providing that at least 25 hours of the legal services rendered annually to the disadvantaged be furnished without fee or expectation of fee. Legal services under these paragraphs consist of a full range of activities, including individual and class representation, the provision of legal advice or information under nonprofit or court-annexed programs such as court self help centers and access to justice rooms which are designed primarily to serve persons of limited means, legislative lobbying, administrative rule making, and the provision of free training or mentoring to those who represent persons of limited means. The variety of these activities should facilitate participation by government attorneys, even when restrictions exist on their engaging in the outside practice of law.
These proposed amendments were adopted in the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct, effective January 1, 2014.
Rule 6.1, Pro Bono Service, of the Hawai`i Rules of Professional Conduct