Pro Bono Requirement

Most law students meet this requirement while in law school through clinics, externships, judicial externships and practicums. Law students should familiarize themselves with the requirements and the necessary documentation to meet the 50 hour pro bono requirement.

To document your pro bono work:

1. You will need to fill out your Form Affidavit as to Applicant’s Compliance with the Pro Bono Requirements, Including Certification by Supervisor (PDF) form and have your supervising attorney verify the work and hours.
   
2. You also need to fill out a Form Affirmation as to Applicant’s Law-Related Employment and/or Solo Practice (PDF). 

• You DO NOT have to fill out a law-related employment form for your pro bono work.
• You DO have to fill out a law-related employment form for any other law-related work you have done. Even for unpaid work, such as clinics, externships and volunteer work, this form needs to be filled out.

You are responsible for keeping the completed forms until you are asked for them as part of your application for admission sent from the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court after you take the New York State Bar Examination.

In the First Department, the application is not sent until the Board of Law Examiners certifies that you have passed the bar examination and the MPRE.

If you plan to use the clinic as your 50 Hour Pro Bono Requirement - Former Clinic students should request a completed Form Affidavit as to Applicant’s Compliance with the Pro Bono Requirements, Including Certification by Supervisor (PDF) by completing the following steps:

i. Email law-clinic@buffalo.edu with “NY Pro Bono Requirement Affidavit” in the subject.

ii. In your email, please include:

1. The name of your clinic/practicum, and the name of your clinic/practicum’s director

2. The semesters you were enrolled in the clinic/practicum

3. Form requested will be sent via DocuSign for completion; a fully executed version will be emailed once signed by all parties.

If you DO NOT plan to use the clinic or a practicum as your 50 Hour Pro Bono Requirement - Former Clinic/Practica students should request a Form Affirmation as to Applicant’s Law-Related Employment and/or Solo Practice by completing the following steps:

i. Email law-clinic@buffalo.edu with “NY Bar Law-Related Employment Affirmation” in the subject.

ii. In your email, please include:

1. The name of your clinic/practicum, and the name of your clinic/practicum's director

2. The semesters you were enrolled in the clinic/practicum

3. Form requested will be sent via DocuSign for completion; a fully executed version will be emailed once signed by all parties.

Normal processing time is approximately 1 week - please do not wait until the last minute to submit these forms as they may require some time to complete your request.

The School of Law provides for-credit pro bono opportunities and will identify not-for-credit opportunities available in the Western New York region. Law students with questions about not-for-credit opportunities should be directed to Vice Dean Melinda Saran.

The School of Law values student pro bono work that is not for credit, paid, or stipend/fellowship supported. 

In addition to filling out the Form Affidavit for Compliance with the 50 hour requirement for admission to practice as an attorney, we ask that you report these hours by filling out the online form so that you can receive recognition by the School of Law for your contribution.

• Report your Additional Pro Bono Work to the law school.