Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge
The following post was created from information recently received by the CSO from the Pro Bono Institute.
Since 1993, the Law Firm Pro Bono ChallengeSM, an initiative of the Pro Bono Institute’s Law Firm Pro Bono Project, has served as a guidepost to assist major law firms in increasing their commitment to pro bono legal services. As you begin to research prospective employers, the Institute’s list of Challenge Signatories will provide you valuable insight regarding the pro bono commitment of Signatory firms.
The ChallengeSM principles are designed to offer institutional support and to maximize the efficacy of law firm pro bono programs. Most notably, firms that sign on to the ChallengeSM agree to devote either three or five percent of their total billable hours or 60 or 100 hours annually, per attorney, to do pro bono work – a majority of which must be in the service of persons of limited means. Firms that currently participate in the Pro Bono ChallengeSM make a substantial commitment to pro bono service, a commitment that is making a real difference in their communities.
Students interested in obtaining as much information as possible about various law firms will find the Pro Bono ChallengeSM a useful tool in determining the scope and nature of Signatory firms’ pro bono activities. Pro bono service becomes an increasingly important factor in evaluating prospective law firm employers as students weigh careers in public interest law against the financial demands of loan repayment programs.
Visit www.probonoinst.org for a complete listing of all Challenge Signatory firms, with links to the firms’ websites. Additionally, the website provides the full text of the Law Firm Pro Bono ChallengeSM and Commentary. You can contact the Law Firm Pro Bono Project at probono@probonoinst.org.
A listing of the Signatory firms can be found on the CSO bulletin board.