Consulting Services

PBI provides consultative services to law firms, in-house legal departments, and public interest organizations.

The Law Firm Pro Bono Project^® initiative provides confidential consulting and technical assistance to large law firms. Member Law Firms are entitled to at least 15 hours free of charge annually, with additional time available at a 25 percent discounted rate. Firms that are not Members of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project initiative may apply to receive assistance on a fee-for-service basis as Project time and resources permit. Assistance from the Project is tailored to the specific needs of the requesting firm, but the most common consultations include the following:

• Design of and/or participation in firm retreats and partner meetings focused on pro bono;
• Planning and assessment consultations with firm executive and pro bono committees;
• Assistance in identifying and approaching potential corporate partners for joint firm/in-house pro bono ventures;
• Drafting and review of pro bono policies and publications, such as newsletters and annual reports;
• Advice on pro bono infrastructure, including staffing options, governance, and oversight;
• Identification of trends and innovations;
• Assistance in making the business case for pro bono at the firm;
• Identification and development of pro bono opportunities in other offices, including non-U.S. offices;
• Benchmarking pro bono program current performance against peer firms and historic metrics;
• Revitalization of firm pro bono efforts; and
• Development of a media/public relations plan.

To access law firm consultative services, contact the Law Firm Pro Bono Project initiative.

The CPBO project offers free and fee-for-service, confidential consultation services to in-house lawyers, legal departments, and Association of Corporate Counsel Chapters. Staff has years of experience in successfully guiding legal departments of all sizes and across industries to establish strong, effective, and enduring pro bono programs. This broad perspective allows the CPBO project a unique ability to suggest a range of strategies that will work most effectively in individual departments. Every in-house pro bono effort brings together unique volunteers, companies, clients and communities. The CPBO project is committed to working with in-house lawyers and legal departments to find tailor-made solutions that will enhance pro bono efforts, ensuring efficient, effective, and successful programs.

Most common consultations include the following:

• Starting a new pro bono program;
• Drafting and review of pro bono policies and procedures;
• Advising on pro bono committee roles, responsibilities, and structure;
• Assessing the maturity of in-house pro bono programs and goal setting; 
• Strategizing on increasing participation and maintaining momentum;
• Identifying opportunities;
• Exploring engagement of legal staff in pro bono;
• Creating unique and impactful pro bono projects;
• Forming pro bono partnerships;
• Integrating pro bono programs with the other corporate initiatives;
• Addressing ethical concerns;
• Advising on liability insurance options; and
• Addressing state multijurisdictional practice rules that may restrict in-house pro bono.

For more information and to access consultative services, please contact the CPBO project.

PBI provides consultative services on a fee-for-service basis to pro bono and legal services public interest organizations, covering a wide range of issues. Common consultation topics include:

• Effective techniques for approaching and partnering with large law firms and corporate legal departments;
• Identifying strategies that will result in effective, long-term, positive relationships that leverage substantial resources;
• Securing financial support; and
• Other related topics.

For more information on our consulting services for legal nonprofits, please contact PBI President and CEO, Eve Runyon.