Proposed Ohio law: Tax break to encourage pro bono work

As a former assistant prosecutor and past president of the Lake County Bar Association, state Rep. John M. Rogers has witnessed the need for attorneys to volunteer certain legal services for impoverished people.

Rogers, D-Mentor-on-the-Lake, recently testified in Columbus to discuss his bipartisan legislation to encourage more Ohio lawyers to conduct pro bono legal work.

House Bill 232, joint-sponsored by state Rep. Jeffery Rezabek, R-Clayton, would offer a maximum $10,000 annual tax deduction to incentivize lawyers and law firms to donate their time and skills to low-income clients.

“I worked on the legislation for three years,” said Rogers. “A lot of times, the working poor do not have the resources to protect their interests. As a lawyer, that concerns me. Most of the work I do now is pro bono. The amount of time and the effort is significant. On one hand, we are helping the community. On the other, you’re taking away (a lawyer’s) business.”

Read more: http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20170623/proposed-ohio-law-tax-break-to-encourage-pro-bono-work