The Benefits of Pro Bono in Law Firms

BUSINESS OF LAW by Christine I.P. Schumacher

THE BENEFITS OF PRO BONO IN LAW FIRMS

The benefits of pro bono work to the public, such as ensuring meaningful access to justice, helping courts operate more efficiently, and improving the public’s perception of our legal system, are well-known. From a firm’s perspective, pro bono work also makes good business sense both in showing clients that a firm exercises social responsibility and having opportunities to partner with corporate clients in meaningful community projects. With many employers concerned about recruitment and retention, and more attorneys seeking work environments that incorporate wellness and support, providing pro bono opportunities offers additional benefits.

Recruitment and Retention

When pro bono work is a large part of a firm’s culture, it can be an effective tool for recruitment. “The founders of [Mintz Levin] believed deeply in giving back to the community, and that is something that has remained unchanged at the firm, culturally, over the decades,” shares Susan Finegan, chair of the Pro Bono Committee at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo, P.C. “A byproduct to this deep commitment to pro bono has been that it has been a strong recruitment tool for prospective hires of the firm.”

Daniel Brown, pro bono partner at Sheppard Mullin, says their attorneys regularly ask about pro bono projects as it is part of their culture. “We also frequently hear from potential recruits about being excited to work at a firm that helps and encourages them to find meaningful pro bono opportunities,” he adds. “The satisfaction, autonomy, and ability to collaborate with colleagues to do good surely contributes to attorney wellness and retention.”

Additionally, some firms offer billable credit for pro bono work. “A pro bono hour is counted the same as a billable hour for purposes of any hourly minimums or bonus calculations,” says Dorothy Fernandez, Pro Bono Counsel at Morrison & Foerster LLP. Similarly at Cooley LLP, pro bono work qualifies for full billable credit, according to Mary Kathryn Kelley, Pro Bono Counsel at Cooley.

Camaraderie and Professional Development

Pro bono committees or counsel at many firms try to find projects that both are of interest to their attorneys and can provide professional development opportunities. “Pro bono can also provide junior attorneys with opportunities for skill development, ranging from managing their own cases and clients, to handling negotiations and court appearances,” says Fernandez. “We really encourage associates to think about how they can make pro bono part of their legal career.”

As remote opportunities became more widespread during the COVID pandemic, working on pro bono projects provided a chance for attorneys in various offices to work together with clients in remote settings. This has allowed for a greater sense of community within a firm and entrenches a key part of firm culture.

“When I was working with a sexual assault survivor to extend her protective order, I had a second-year associate cross all the witnesses at the hearing. Then when the defendant appealed the favorable ruling for our client, I had a sixth-year interested in appeals drafting and arguing the appeal,” says Finegan. “So, the attorneys get to feel good about working with a client that is so deserving, and gain professional skills at the same time.”

Knowing You Made a Difference

Studies show that volunteering in one’s community has a positive impact on mental well-being, stress, and happiness.1 Many firms have robust pro bono structures through which attorneys can find projects of interest. At Cooley, a primary benefit of doing pro bono is “the opportunity to contribute to the communities in which we live and practice, and to make a meaningful difference on issues that our attorneys care about deeply,” says Kelley.

Morrison Foerster creates that sense of community through projects such as responding to the legal needs of natural disaster survivors, “a common area that has touched the lives of many of our attorneys, staff, and

clients. It instills a sense of pride in the work the firm is doing, knowing that the firm is out front and being proactive in these situations,” says Fernandez. “Many attorneys are motivated to get involved once they hear how their colleagues have been able to make a difference in someone’s life.”

Using legal skills to benefit the community creates a greater sense of purpose. “Advising pro bono clients lets lawyers utilize their legal training in the service of the public good,” offers Benjamin A. Dozier, Litigation Associate and member of Latham & Watkins’ Pro Bono Committee. “From helping asylum seekers find safe haven to advising veterans and low-income entrepreneurs, to protecting the environment, pro bono offers an opportunity to fundamentally and permanently change lives, perhaps the biggest benefit of all.”

Christine I.P. Schumacher (cipschumacher@gmail. com) is the Pro Bono Program Manager at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego and an adjunct professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

1. Jenkinson, C.E., Dickens, A.P., Jones, K., et al. “Is volunteering a public health intervention? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the health and survival of volunteers.” BMC Public Health 13, 773 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-773