Three Ethics Rules To Know Before Taking On A Pro Bono Matter

Lawyers often say that the most rewarding aspect of their careers is providing pro bono services to individuals in need.  While not intending to be comprehensive, the following post provides several examples of ethical issues that may occur in pro bono representation and the rules that guide attorneys facing them.

Scope of Representation.  Who is your client, and what are the parameters of the work that you will be providing to your client?  Equally important, what work will not be done on your client's behalf?  The New York Rules of Professional Conduct (the "Rules") permit attorneys to provided "unbundled" or limited-scope legal services to clients, as a way of making at least some legal representation available to greater numbers of people who may need it.  For example, you might have the bandwidth to help a pro bono client with an uncontested divorce, but not to handle a custody trial.  This is completely acceptable, provided such a limitation is reasonable