Pro Bono
What does "Pro Bono" mean in law?
Model Rule 6.1 provides that every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay, aspirationally setting a benchmark of at least 50 hours per year of pro bono publico service. The rule prioritizes services to persons of limited means in civil matters involving basic needs such as housing, family law, and government benefits, as well as organizations serving the disadvantaged. While Rule 6.1 is aspirational rather than mandatory in most jurisdictions, some states require reporting of pro bono hours, and a few have adopted mandatory pro bono requirements. The pro bono obligation reflects the profession's monopoly on legal services and the resulting duty to ensure access to justice.
Definition
Model Rule 6.1 provides that every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay, aspirationally setting a benchmark of at least 50 hours per year of pro bono publico service. The rule prioritizes services to persons of limited means in civil matters involving basic needs such as housing, family law, and government benefits, as well as organizations serving the disadvantaged. While Rule 6.1 is aspirational rather than mandatory in most jurisdictions, some states require reporting of pro bono hours, and a few have adopted mandatory pro bono requirements. The pro bono obligation reflects the profession's monopoly on legal services and the resulting duty to ensure access to justice.
Example
A BigLaw associate spends 60 hours representing a low-income tenant facing eviction without charging any fee, fulfilling the aspirational pro bono target set by Model Rule 6.1.