14. Why do Pro Bono Lawyers Work for Free?

Pro Bono Publico or Pro Bono is a service rendered for free. However, after being incorporated as a legal function, it refers to providing legal aid to people facing financial constraints.

In the US, the American Bar Association has created Pro Bono services as a mandate for every lawyer to perform. It comes under the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, where lawyers have to engage for 50 hours of offering free legal aid. Pro Bono helps bring equality in front of the law and provides the option of equal representation.

What Kind of Lawyers Offer Pro Bono Services?

Every lawyer licensed to practice in the US has to complete 50 hours of Pro Bono service every year. It is a mandate that lawyers have to fulfill regardless of their experience, fame, or other factors.

Apart from lawyers, law students would also have to engage in Pro Bono services as part of their university's guidelines. However, the time duration of their practice can vary from one university to another, and it can also rely on the state's legal frameworks.

Reasons Why Pro Bono Lawyers Work for Free

Lawyers engage in Pro Bono services because of a variety of reasons. Along with lawyers, law students in the US also provide Pro Bono services. Now, let's explore some reasons why these lawyers work for free.

Sympathy and a Commitment to Provide Justice

Many lawyers understand that some of their possible clients might not be in a financial position to pay them thousands of dollars in fees. It is when they would suggest offering Pro Bono services out of sympathy to help them attain equal representation in front of the law.

In addition, lawyers take the oath of providing justice and, as part of facilitating the same, they would let go of their fees or even do it for a reduced price. However, lawyers will engage in Pro Bono cases if they are convinced that you don't have the finances to fund the case and your case requires special attention. However, how a Pro Bono lawyer would decide if your case needs their intervention will be at the lawyer's discretion.

Fulfilling the Conditions of the Bar Association

Many lawyers offer Pro Bono for free as part of completing the 50-hour mandate passed by the American Bar Association. In addition, every licensed lawyer in the US must get a particular credit score as part of the Continuing Legal Education or CLE. When a lawyer completes five hours of Pro Bono, they receive one credit score.

Although this is the general guideline for providing credit scores, it can vary from one state to another. Similarly, in New York, you have to complete 50 hours of Pro Bono before applying for a license from the American Bar Association.

In other US states, a lawyer can only practice Pro Bono after obtaining their license. However, as a law student, you would have to complete Pro Bono based on the university's guidelines.

Improving Skills and Gaining Experience

Law schools encourage law students to engage in Pro Bono cases as part of their curriculum. Here, they will receive guidance and legal help from experienced lawyers. Although law students will have theoretical knowledge, Pro Bono will help them attain first-hand experience.

However, if you are reaching out to a law school for Pro Bono, you don't have to worry about their lack of experience. These law students will have ample support from their superiors and could even surprise you with their skills.

Law students engage in Pro Bono services due to different reasons, and they can be:

1. Improving their skills and preparing themselves while they become a licensed lawyer

2. Completing Pro Bono as part of their university guidelines to acquire certification/ degree

3. Building their connection with other reputed lawyers can be a pathway once they complete their education

4. Helping them narrow down or broaden the field they would like to specialize

Apart from law students, lawyers also take in Pro Bono cases to brush up on their skills and experience.

Enhancing Reputation

Many lawyers take up Pro Bono cases as part of publicity stunts. It can be cases related to a social cause or something similar, where there is media interest and support. Taking such a case and working on it for free can improve their reputation.

It is something often done by law firms and also by famous lawyers. By being successful in such cases, they can enhance their value and get more high-paying clients in the future.

Trying out New Areas

While taking up Pro Bono, lawyers can opt for cases that don't belong to their area of expertise. For instance, if a lawyer specializes in family law, they can work on a personal injury case while engaging in Pro Bono. Here, they have to ensure that they can give their best and have to study the case and the law. It is a way for lawyers to endeavor to upskill themselves and improve their scope.

Building Networks

Networking is impactful and highly beneficial for professional lawyers and young law students. Through Pro Bono cases, they can build connections with other lawyers and established law firms. It can improve their reputation and links, which are essential for lawyers.

Pro Bono services can help them gain other clients through references and recommendations from other lawyers who might have come to know about them.

These are some reasons lawyers and even law students engage in Pro Bono services in the US. It is a method to provide free legal assistance to people facing financial constraints in the US. If you need a Pro Bono lawyer, you can find out about them from non-governmental organizations, the local bar association, local law schools, law firms, etc.,