Giving Back During the Holidays—Pro Bono Work

The holidays are a time of giving, and what better way for a lawyer to give to the community than performing pro bono work?

The term “pro bono” comes from the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means for the public good. Since it’s early days, the legal profession has felt a responsibility to do something for the public good, which often takes the form of pro bono work, or providing legal services without a fee. Five states, including Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi and Nevada, now require all attorneys licensed to practice law in the state to report annually on their pro bono activities. It is quite possible that the number of states requiring such reporting will continue to grow in the near future.

As a young associate, you may have already given some thought to what kind of pro bono work you can do.

The ABA maintains a standing committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, the mission of which is: “… fostering the development of pro bono programs and activities by law firms, bar associations, corporate legal departments, law schools, government attorney offices and others; analyzing the scope and function of pro bono programs; and proposing and reviewing legislation that affects lawyers’ ability to provide pro bono legal services.” The committee supports a wide variety of activities and programs geared to expanding the role of pro bono work on a state-by-state basis.

On their Web site, http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/probono/home.html, the committee offers a wealth of information on pro bono activities, including a nationwide directory of local pro bono programs, resources, technical support, conferences and much more. It’s an excellent starting place to find out more about what is going on.

Another helpful Web site is the Pro Bono Institute run by the Georgetown University Law Center at http://www.probonoinst.org. This group works with law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations to expand and encourage the growth of pro bono work while promoting effective partnerships among these organizations. One of their major efforts is the Law Firm Pro Bono Project, which is designed to: “…support and enhance the pro bono culture and performance of major law firms in the United States and around the world.” The project focuses on larger law firms with 50 or more members providing a wide range of products and services to aid firms in establishing and maintaining pro bono programs.

Currently, the Project has more than 140 member firms, including many of the largest and most prestigious firms in the country, that pay annual dues to receive free and discounted services. Membership also serves as a means of interacting with peers and sharing information on pro bono programs. If your firm is not a member, you might want to alert a partner as to the advantages of joining.

Also be sure to check out the Web site of your state bar association. They generally provide information on pro bono programs available locally, as well as useful links to resources.

The legal profession has a long and noble tradition of supporting the community. Pro bono work provides you an excellent means of upholding that tradition, especially during the holidays.