Pro Bono
Legal services provided voluntarily and without charge, typically by attorneys fulfilling a professional responsibility to improve access to justice.
Pro bono (short for "pro bono publico" — Latin for "for the public good") refers to legal work done without charge. The American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct recommend each attorney provide at least 50 hours of pro bono service per year; some states make this mandatory to maintain bar membership, though most still treat it as aspirational.
Pro bono representation is available through several channels: law firm pro bono programs (large firms often have structured programs with nonprofit partners), voluntary lawyers projects sponsored by state and local bar associations, court-based pro bono panels for specific matters (eviction, domestic violence), and legal clinics at libraries and community centers.
Not all legal matters qualify for pro bono representation — priority is typically given to cases with significant civil rights, liberty, or basic human needs dimensions. For matters that don't qualify for legal aid or pro bono but still need attorney help, some attorneys offer sliding-scale fees based on income.
Real-World Example
The domestic violence survivor needed help with a restraining order; the bar association's pro bono panel matched her with a family law attorney who handled the entire protective order proceeding at no charge.