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Mo. R. Prof'l Conduct 4-6.1

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Rule 4-6.1 Public Service - Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service

Rules of Professional Conduct

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Rule Text

A lawyer should render public interest legal service. A lawyer may discharge this responsibility by providing professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations; by service in activities for improving the law, the legal system, or the legal profession; and by financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.

Amendment history: (Adopted Aug. 7, 1985, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended March 1, 2007, eff. July 1, 2007.)

Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)

This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.

Every lawyer in Missouri is encouraged to give back by doing free or low-cost legal work. This rule says lawyers should try to help people who can't afford legal services, especially those with limited income. It's meant to make sure everyone has some access to legal help, not just people who can pay full price.

Lawyers can meet this goal in different ways. They might take on cases for free or at a reduced rate for people in need. They could also volunteer their time to help charities or public service groups, work on projects that improve the legal system, or donate money to organizations that provide legal aid to low-income people.

It's worth knowing that this rule is a suggestion, not a strict requirement. Lawyers aren't punished for failing to do pro bono work, but the legal profession expects them to make an effort. If you're looking for free or low-cost legal help, this rule is part of why some lawyers offer reduced fees or volunteer through legal aid organizations.

Committee Notes

COMMENT

[1] The ABA House of Delegates has formally acknowledged "the basic responsibility of each lawyer engaged in the practice of law to provide public interest legal services" without fee, or at a substantially reduced fee, in one or more of the following areas: poverty law, civil rights law, public rights law, charitable organization representation, and the administration of justice. This Rule 4-6.1 expresses that policy but is not intended to be enforced through disciplinary process.

[2] The rights and responsibilities of individuals and organizations in the United States are increasingly defined in legal terms. As a consequence, legal assistance in coping with the web of statutes, rules, and regulations is imperative for persons of modest and limited means, as well as for the relatively well-to-do.

[3] The basic responsibility for providing legal services for those unable to pay ultimately rests upon the individual lawyer, and personal involvement in the problems of the disadvantaged can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the life of a lawyer. Every lawyer, regardless of professional prominence or professional workload, should find time to participate in or otherwise support the provision of legal services to the disadvantaged. The provision of free legal services to those unable to pay reasonable fees continues to be an obligation of each lawyer as well as the profession generally, but the efforts of individual lawyers are often not enough to meet the need. Thus, it has been necessary for the profession and government to institute additional programs to provide legal services. Accordingly, legal aid offices, lawyer referral services, and other related programs have been developed, and others will be developed by the profession and government. Every lawyer should support all proper efforts to meet this need for legal services.

← Previous Rule 4-5.7: Law Firms and Associations - Responsibilites Regarding Law Related Services Next → Rule 4-6.2: Public Service - Accepting Appointments