Mandatory Reporting Of "Pro Bono" Hours Irks Some Hawaii Lawyers

In Hawaii, the Star Bulletin reports:

• This year, for the first time, lawyers in Hawaii each had to report how many hours they donated in pro bono, or free, legal services annually. It was not a popular requirement. The Hawaii State Bar Association had weighed in against it. But the [Hawaii] Supreme Court adopted the rule in October, and it took effect as lawyers re-registered to practice law in 2008.

• Chief Justice Ronald Moon says he was surprised that the idea was controversial. The new rule does not force lawyers to do volunteer work, just to report their donated hours. "To be perfectly honest, I was totally disappointed and dismayed," Moon said. "It is perplexing to me that mandatory reporting -- not mandatory pro bono services -- could garner any opposition."

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• "Requiring people to report, I suppose there's a little bit of a guilt trip," said Lyn Flanigan, executive director of the Hawaii State Bar Association. "Putting down a zero makes you think, 'What can I do?' And a lot of people did call and say, 'What can I do?'"

For the story, see ‘Little bit of a guilt trip’ spurs lawyers to donate services.