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The phrase pro bono comes from Latin and means “for the public good”.

For lawyers today, pro bono means volunteering their services without charge or at a reduced rate to protect the rights of the disadvantaged, to help organizations that represent the interests of citizens of limited means and to help improve laws and the justice system.

- Definition inspired by Wikipedia

A Matter of Professional Responsibility

Many organizations representing lawyers acknowledge that the profession has a duty to improve access to justice by helping citizens of limited means and groups defending the interests of society’s disadvantaged.

The Canadian Bar Association encourages lawyers to do 50 hours of pro bono work each year. - Resolution 03-04-M of the CBA

The American Bar Association has adopted this position on pro bono work: “Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay. A lawyer should aspire to render at least (50) hours of pro bono publico legal services per year.” - ABA Model Rule 6.1

In the United States, seven states require lawyers to report annually on the number of hours dedicated to pro bono work: Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada and New Mexico.

In New York State, lawyers who contribute 50 hours of pro bono services each year are honoured with the title “Empire State Counsel”.