Pro Bono
Pro Bono refers to legal work that lawyers do for free to help people or organizations who cannot afford legal services. The term comes from "pro bono publico" which means "for the public good." This type of work is an important part of the legal profession where attorneys volunteer their time and expertise to assist non-profits, charities, individuals with low income, or support important social causes. Many law firms have dedicated Pro Bono programs and consider this experience valuable for their attorneys' professional development.
Examples in Resumes
Managed 200+ hours of Pro Bono cases annually, focusing on immigration law
Led the firm's Pro Bono program, coordinating 50+ attorneys' volunteer legal services
Received recognition for outstanding Pro Bono work in family law cases
Participated in Pro Bono Publico initiatives supporting local non-profit organizations
Typical job title: "Pro Bono Attorneys"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Pro Bono Attorneys
Professional Organizations
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you establish and manage a pro bono program within a law firm?
Expected Answer: Should discuss program structure, attorney participation policies, case selection criteria, tracking systems, and partnerships with legal aid organizations and non-profits.
Q: How do you balance commercial work with pro bono commitments?
Expected Answer: Should explain strategies for time management, delegation, setting priorities, and ensuring both paid and pro bono work receive appropriate attention while meeting firm targets.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What experience do you have managing pro bono cases?
Expected Answer: Should describe specific pro bono cases handled, types of clients served, and outcomes achieved, showing ability to manage cases independently.
Q: How do you select which pro bono cases to take on?
Expected Answer: Should explain evaluation process for cases, considering factors like client need, time commitment, expertise required, and alignment with firm goals.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Why is pro bono work important to you?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of professional responsibility to provide free legal services and personal commitment to helping underserved communities.
Q: What types of pro bono work interest you most?
Expected Answer: Should identify specific areas of law or types of clients they want to serve through pro bono work, showing awareness of various opportunities.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-3 years)
- Basic legal research and writing
- Assisting with simple pro bono cases
- Understanding of legal aid resources
- Client interview skills
Mid (3-7 years)
- Independent case management
- Pro bono project coordination
- Mentoring junior attorneys
- Community outreach
Senior (7+ years)
- Pro bono program management
- Strategic partnership development
- Policy development
- Program impact assessment
Red Flags to Watch For
- No interest in community service or public interest law
- Unwillingness to work with diverse clients
- Poor time management skills
- Lack of commitment to pro bono hours
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