HB27 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Attorneys, allow attorneys with special licenses to do pro bono work, Sec. 34-3-6 am'd.

Summary

The bill allows Alabama lawyers with special licenses to provide pro bono work through the Alabama State Bar Association, and extends that option to all licensed lawyers, as long as their employer does not prohibit it and it isn’t considered private practice.

What This Bill Does

It amends the law to let lawyers who hold a special law license provide pro bono legal services organized through or recognized by the Alabama State Bar Association, unless their employer prohibits it. It also states that all licensed attorneys (special or regular) may provide pro bono services in the same way, with the same employer restriction. This pro bono work is explicitly not considered private practice of law. The act takes effect on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved.

Who It Affects

• Attorneys licensed to practice law in Alabama who hold a special law license: may provide pro bono services through the Alabama State Bar Association, unless their employer prohibits it, and such work would not count as private practice.
• Employers of Alabama attorneys: have the authority to prohibit their employees from engaging in this pro bono work.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 34-3-6 to allow lawyers with a special law license to provide pro bono legal services organized through or recognized by the Alabama State Bar Association, unless prohibited by their employer.
• Extends the same pro bono permission to all licensed attorneys in Alabama (special or regular license) with the same employer prohibition and that participation is not private practice of law.
• Specifies that pro bono activities must be organized through or recognized by the Alabama State Bar Association and are not considered private practice of law.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Attorneys