By Michael Wendlberger
Did you know that retired and out-of-state attorneys can do pro bono without an active license? Under Supreme Court Rule 49.1, a retired or out-of-state attorney can obtain a limited practice certification by volunteering through an approved Emeritus Attorney Pro Bono program (EAPB) provider.
Guided by their mission to make pro bono volunteering as seamless and meaningful as possible, legal aid providers supply their volunteers with free CLEs, experienced mentors, malpractice insurance, and even office space to meet their clients. In addition to the support of legal aid providers, the Nevada Supreme Court recently adopted ADKT 623, amending Nevada Supreme Court Rule 49.1(5), waiving CLE requirements for inactive attorneys licensed under EAPB. It is now easier than ever to do pro bono.
Attorneys licensed under the Emeritus program can use the knowledge acquired over their careers to give back to our community and stay connected to the legal community. The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada created the ‘Legal Legends’ program to encourage and support retired attorneys to get involved in pro bono. Here, retired attorneys can come together over lunch and learn about the benefits of giving back to the community post-retirement.
Retiring from a career in law doesn’t mean you have to retire from the legal community. So stay connected and give back to those who need it the most. Recently, an Emeritus attorney volunteered a few hours and helped a teenage client navigate a guardianship matter, resulting in a positive and long-lasting outcome for this client.
A few hours of your time can change someone’s life forever!
For additional information, contact the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada’s Pro Bono Project, Nevada Legal Services, Senior Law Program, or visit the State Bar’s Emeritus program page: https://nvbar.org/access-to-justice/emeritus/.
About the author
Michael Wendlberger is the Director of the Pro Bono Project at Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (LACSN). The Pro Bono Project pairs volunteer attorneys with screened clients in the areas of family, consumer, landlord tenant, civil rights, immigration, bankruptcy, and other areas of law. Interested attorneys can learn more and take a case listed at https://www.lacsnprobono.org/.
About the article
This article was originally published in the Communiqué (June/July 2025), the official publication of the Clark County Bar Association. See https://clarkcountybar.org/about/member-benefits/communique-2025/communique-june-july-2025/. The printed magazine was mailed to CCBA members on June 6, 2025.
The articles and advertisements appearing in Communiqué magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the CCBA, the CCBA Publications Committee, the editorial board, or the other authors. All legal and other issues discussed are not for the purpose of answering specific legal questions. Attorneys and others are strongly advised to independently research all issues.
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