Pro Bono Publico in the United States

Latin for the “public good” or “welfare.” The term Pro Bono Publico refers to attorneys donating their time to represent indigent parties in civil matters. Lawyers represent indigent clients pro bono as a way of meeting a perceived obligation of the profession to make legal services available to those who could not otherwise afford counsel.

See Also

Legal Services Corporation (Civil Process) Public Defender (Civil Process).

Analysis and Relevance

While the legal profession has acknowledged a public interest dimension to the practice of law, pro bono representation grew most substantially as a by-product of court rulings requiring appointment of counsel in criminal cases with indigent defendants. The amount of time made available pro bono is insufficient to meet the demand. This has been especially true since funding for the Legal Services Corporation has diminished. Beyond actual representation of indigent clients, the term pro bono includes legal work aimed at advancing public interest positions or causes.

Notes and References

1. Definition of Pro Bono Publico from the American Law Dictionary, 1991, California

Resources

See Also

Further Reading (Articles)

PRO BONO PUBLICO MAKES $15,000 DONATION TO NORD FOUNDATION., States News Service; May 9, 2012

American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Awards Honor 3 Lawyers, a Law Firm and a State Supreme Court System, States News Service; August 6, 2012

Pro Bono Publico: Voluntary service and mandatory reporting, The Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics; July 1, 2002; Isbell, Kellie Sawle, Sarah

Valdespino wins 2003 ABA Pro Bono Publico Award., Florida Bar News; June 1, 2003

American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Awards Honor Three Lawyers, a Law Firm and a State Supreme Court System, States News Service; July 2, 2012

Aba Honors 3 Lawyers, Law Firm and Corporation with Pro Bono Publico Awards, States News Service; July 8, 2013

Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services Seeks Nominations for 2013 Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards, States News Service; May 28, 2013

Blackwell Wins ABA Pro Bono Publico Award, Florida Bar News; September 1, 2013

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR 2011 ADAMS PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARDS., States News Service; June 2, 2011

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION HONORS O’MELVENY AND MYERS LLP WITH 2011 PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE., States News Service; June 27, 2011

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION HONORS JAY ZAINEY WITH 2011 PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE., States News Service; June 27, 2011

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR 2007 ADAMS PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARDS, US Fed News Service, Including US State News; March 6, 2007

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR ADAMS PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARDS, US Fed News Service, Including US State News; March 21, 2006

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION HONORS PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON AND GARRISON WITH 2011 PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE., States News Service; June 27, 2011

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Pro Bono Committee Honors Mintz Levin with 2011 Adams Pro Bono Publico Award., Real Estate Weekly News; November 11, 2011

Attorneys, Law Firm Receive 2012 Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards, States News Service; October 24, 2012

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES PRESENTS THREE ADAMS PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARDS, US Fed News Service, Including US State News; June 5, 2007

Attorneys, Law Firm to Receive 2012 Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards, States News Service; October 12, 2012

SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO PRESENT ADAMS PRO BONO PUBLICO AWARDS, US Fed News Service, Including US State News; June 6, 2006

Volyn awarded for pro bono work.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Scott Volyn)(Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation)(Brief article), Wenatchee Business Journal; September 1, 2007