Rule 24-108. Pro bono publico service.

A. Professional Responsibility. In attempting to meet the professional responsibility established in Rule 16-601 NMRA of the Rules of Professional Conduct, a lawyer should aspire to render at least fifty (50) hours of pro bono publico legal services per year. The substantial majority of the fifty (50) hours of service should be provided as indicated in Subparagraphs (1) and (2) of Paragraph A of Rule 16-601 NMRA of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Additional services may be provided as indicated in Paragraphs B or C of Rule 16-601 NMRA of the Rules of Professional Conduct. B. Financial Contribution. Alternatively or in addition to the service provided under Paragraph A of this rule, a lawyer may fulfill this professional responsibility by: (1) contributing financial support to organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means in New Mexico, in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500) per year; or (2) providing a combination of pro bono hours and a financial contribution as suggested in this table: Pro Bono Hours 45 50+ Suggested Contributi on $50 $45 $40 $35 $30 $25 $20 $15 $10 $5 Attorney Discretio n C. Pro Bono Certification. Each lawyer of the bar shall annually certify whether the lawyer has satisfied the lawyer’s professional responsibility to provide pro bono services to the poor. Each lawyer shall certify this information through a form that is made a part of the lawyer’s annual membership fees statement that shall require the lawyer to report the following information: (1) the number of hours the lawyer dedicated to pro bono legal services, and (2) if the lawyer has satisfied the obligation by contribution or part contribution, the amount of that contribution.