The Pro Bono Institute is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit focused on pro bono initiatives. Larger organizations dedicated to matching clients, causes, and attorneys include: Additional Resources:Ī local legal services agency or bar association can connect clients in need with attorneys looking for pro bono opportunities. All for the price of just 50 hours a year. New attorneys can gain real-world legal experience and seasoned attorneys can re-energize their love of the law. Attorneys providing pro bono services learn new skills, make career connections, and boost their professional profiles. In the end, what does pro bono mean to clients and attorneys? Pro bono work can level the playing field for clients who aren’t able to pay for capable representation. But even basic pro bono work can help build a firm’s image as a legal leader when featured in PR programs or legal awards applications. A successful pro bono case, especially a high-profile one, can be a business generator. That hard work can be considered an investment in future business. The work comes from the heart, and often an attorney just might work as hard or harder in these cases than in others where he or she is making billable hours.” “Passion for serving, passion for publicity, passion for the cause of which he or she is standing, all can be ways that an attorney gets ‘paid’ for pro bono work. “Most pro bono cases are about passion for the attorney,” writes Aaron Wade at. While these rewards are hard to quantify, they are very real reasons to provide pro bono services. Pro bono work reminds attorneys that the law is there to serve everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances. Possibly the best reason to provide pro bono services is the sense of satisfaction that comes from helping others. But not all compensation comes in the form of cash. When it comes to dollars and cents, the short answer is: they don’t. In much the same way, a commitment to pro bono is also a good retention tool for more seasoned attorneys. A demonstrated pro bono program can be a deciding factor for rising stars. For that reason, pro bono work is often a key benefit young lawyers look for when deciding where to begin their careers. Recruiting tool: Pro bono assignments can give young lawyers a chance to lead or argue a case they might not be able to with paying clients.When evaluating law firms, many clients look favorably at those who have social responsibility initiatives. Pro bono work can increase a lawyer’s or organization’s profile when tied to a thoughtful public relations program. Reputation boost: Attorneys and their firms can look good while doing good. These networking opportunities can prove invaluable for career development.
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