Lawyers have a virtual monopoly on access to the legal system.
Because of this, it has long been believed that there is a corresponding obligation of the profession to help the disadvantaged in need of legal services. The fact that lawyers recognize the need to volunteer their efforts and have consistently expressed it as an obligation flowing from the license to practice law is an important part of what distinguishes the practice of law as a profession. Rule 6.1, Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, recognizes the responsibility of all lawyers to render pro bono services. The rule establishes an aspirational goal of 50 hours of pro bono per year, sets forth a definition of what kinds of service may be rendered in fulfilling the aspirational goal, and encourages financial contributions to organizations providing legal services to persons of limited means. The roots of voluntary pro bono go deep.