What is Pro Bono Good For?
Pro Bono
Note: I do not at all speak Latin; I used Google translate for the phrases, so if I make a mistake, mea culpa (ok, that phrase, I knew).
I absolutely love taking on pro bono cases and I strongly recommend any attorney to do so, especially attorneys at the beginning of their careers. It is not only a good thing to do, it also provides many benefits to both the attorney and the client.
Because lawyers love using Latin phrases, we could not (for some reason) just call It volunteering; it means “for good” (again, we could have just called it volunteering). The real phrase is “pro bono publico”, meaning for the public good.
But, pro bono work is notjust good for the public, it can greatly benefit attorneys.
Pro Bono Mentis: For the Good of the mind.
Agencies and charities often provide training to people who volunteer to take a pro bono client. When I was earning my Master of Laws in Taxation; I took an internship with Legal Aid in San Diego, where I learned how to defend against IRS collections. (I recently found out that this could be considered a more than $10,000 value, as it might cost that much to get trained in tax controversy).
It can be low bono instead of pro bono. As mentioned above, far too many people do not have access to attorneys; personally, I try to mitigate this by offering payment plans or reduced fees for clients that do not qualify for pro bono services but have lower income, but I can only offer a drop in the bucket.
Pro Bono Advocati: For the Good of the Lawyer. Local agencies might also be willing to provide mentors, in addition to training, so that you can learn about a new practice area with a safety net. It was also my introduction into family law: because I volunteered to take cases, I was able to be trained on the ins and outs of family law specifically, which really paid off when I became an ABA Family Law Fellow. Then, after training, the best learning comes with doing (there’s a reason they call it “practicing” law).
Pro Bono Cordis: For the Good of the Heart,
It is crucial to note, that working in pro bono always means working with incredible people. In my experience, every person with whom I have worked has been incredible, from the attorneys to the administrative staff. And I generally believe that this is because everyone wants to help people. But, regardless of whether the above is true or I just ‘lucked out’, it makes me want to continue working with these amazing agencies, like the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service or the DC Bar.
Pro Bono Curriculo: For the Good of the Career. Another benefit to practicing pro bono is that it really can stretch your abilities, not just regarding the substance of law, but with client relations. Many pro bono clients might have something going on aside from the issue you’re assisting them with, and might require more consideration and patience and empathy, These skills are crucial for any good lawyer, and developing and honing these skills can best be done with practice. So, in that regard, it is also good for the lawyer (or pro bono advocati).
Pro Bono Publico: For the Good of the Public Participating in pro bono activities also expands “Access to Justice.” Americans believe in “equal justice under the law”, but it is not always possible. The law can be complex, and because everything in our society costs money, lawyers also cost money, and the fees can be more than people can afford, meaning that not everyone can afford a lawyer. That is why various ethical rules for attorneys suggest minimum hours for pro bono activities, because as Dr. king famously wrote, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
But, it makes the attorney providing the services amazingly good to know that this might make a truly life-changing effect on someone’s life, or possibly the lives of an entire family. Practicing law can be exceptionally stressful, and sometimes, even when someone wins a case, no one actually wins. But often times in pro bono, there is an unexpected outcome: everyone can win. In that way, pro bono is good for the heart (or pro bono cortis).