Promoting Pro Bono
Pro Bono Resources
Washington State Bar Association
The Washington State Bar Association provides a wide range of resources to support attorneys interested in pro bono service. Whether you are actively practicing, transitioning to a volunteer-focused role, or looking to fulfill your professional responsibility under RPC 6.1, the following information can help you find opportunities, understand the benefits of service, and connect with organizations in need.
Finding Pro Bono Opportunities
ProBonoWA.org is the WSBA’s central portal for connecting legal professionals to pro bono opportunities statewide. The site partners with more than 80 volunteer legal providers and allows you to filter opportunities by area of law, geography, communities served, and type of work. Organizations seeking to be listed on the portal can contact PublicService@wsba.org.
Benefits of Pro Bono Service
WSBA members can earn MCLE credit for pro bono legal services provided through a Qualified Legal Services Provider (QLSP)—one credit for every hour of service, reported through the MCLE Online System. QLSP volunteers also have access to free on-demand CLE courses through the WSBA CLE Store’s Public Service Education portfolio and free online WSBA Deskbook subscriptions through Fastcase.
Pro Bono License Status
Pro Bono Status is available to WSBA members who are no longer practicing law but wish to volunteer legal services through a QLSP. The license fee is the same as inactive status, there is no MCLE requirement, and the fee is waived for members who complete at least 30 hours of pro bono service with a QLSP in the prior year. No other practice of law is permitted while on this status. For questions, contact statuschanges@wsba.org or call 206-239-2131.
The WSBA Directory has a distinct category for Pro Bono QLSP attorneys. As of April 30, 2026, 134 attorneys are listed.
Hours & Recognition
RPC 6.1 encourages every lawyer to aspire to at least 30 hours of pro bono public service per year. Members may voluntarily report their hours through MyWSBA.org during re-licensing season. Those who report 50 or more hours in a calendar year are placed on the Pro Bono Public Honor Roll and recognized by the Washington Supreme Court and in WSBA’s Bar News magazine.
Model Pro Bono Policies
The WSBA offers three model pro bono policy templates that organizations can customize and adopt. Developed by the Pro Bono and Public Service Committee, these templates are available to help firms and legal departments formalize their commitment to service. Contact the Committee for assistance with finalizing a policy or identifying opportunities for your attorneys.
Key Resources & Links
→ ProBonoWA.org — Opportunity Portal
→ WSBA Pro Bono & Public Service
→ Call to Duty — Serve Veterans
WSBA Contact
Phone: 206-443-9722 | Toll-free: 800-945-9722
Email: PublicService@wsba.org
1325 Fourth Ave., Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98101