Attorney Client

In the late 1980s, the editors of the professional journals of the American Bar Association and of the American Medical Association made an unusual (at the time) public proposal. They suggested that both medical doctors and lawyers commit themselves to 50 hours per year of free service. Some states have already moved in this direction. What do you think of this proposal? Should attorneys be required to donate a minimum number of hours of work or service to the poor, or for the general welfare? Should members of all professions provide similar free services to the poor? What are the arguments for and against the idea? If such an obligation did exist, should a cash donation be allowed in lieu of a contribution of time? The question of free legal service as a charitable contribution invites comparison to the charitable services of other professions. Should dentists and doctors routinely serve a certain number of indigent persons at no charge? Or should attorneys be treated differently? How about teachers, professors, ministers, priests, or rabbis? Why? Should all skilled craftsmen make similar contributions?