Pro Bono
Legal services provided free of charge, typically to indigent clients or nonprofit organizations, as a professional obligation or public service.
Encyclopedia entry: Pro Bono
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pro bono
Pro bono is derived from the Latin term pro bon publico, which means for the public good. Pro Bono refers to legal service provided voluntarily by law firms, law schools and attorneys without monetary compensation. Rule 6.1 of the ABA’s Model Rules for Professional Conduct states that lawyers have a responsibility to voluntarily work at least 50 hours of pro bono, or uncompensated, legal services each year. Pro bono work allows attorneys to provide access to the legal system to low-income people and to serve public interest and/or social justice.
[Last reviewed in May of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team
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Encyclopedia content from Cornell LII Wex (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5).
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.