Bar associations around the country exhort their members to join pro bono programs to provide legal assistance for needy clients. At year end, most local bar associations held appreciation dinners to honor the thousands of lawyers who have given their time and money to assist pro bono clients, while at the same time asking the bar to give even more. Pro bono service has almost become a fundamental obligation-a critical part of the license to practice law. Some discussion has occurred around the country as to whether pro bono service should be made mandatory. The need is real.
Similar efforts are under way in every bar association program in the country.
Unfortunately, they, too, probably address only a small part of the overall need. Funding for these programs has always been problematic. As additional revenue decreases, the ability of individual bar associations to handle ever-increasing demand continues to suffer. The Role of the Judiciary Judges have a special responsibility to support local pro bono efforts. ABA Judicial Division National Conference of Special Court Judges past chair, Hon.