The Pro Bono Institute

Genesis of Second Acts

Inspired by Marc Galanter's groundbreaking study of upcoming demographic changes in the legal profession, in 2005 the Pro Bono Institute (PBI) in Washington, D.C. launched Second Acts – an innovative initiative to support transitioning and retired lawyers who are interested in a second, volunteer career in public interest law. Despite the ongoing social justice gap for low-income and underserved populations, this seasoned and knowledgeable talent pool has been largely overlooked.

PBI is working with our core constituencies – major law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations – to develop a bold new model of legal retirement and transition.

Development of Second Acts

To date, PBI has made important progress on Second Acts:

• With generous support from Mayer Brown, PBI conducted a survey in 2006 to begin to identify the factors at major law firms which may promote or inhibit participation in pro bono by transitioning and retired lawyers.

available upon request

five outstanding public interest organizations

four innovative demonstration projects

Second Acts Pilot Projects

The Legal Aid Society in New York

Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association

Bar Association of San Francisco’s Volunteer Legal Services Program and Bay Area Legal Aid

Kids Matter, Inc.
If you have any further questions regarding Second Acts, please contact Marguerite Roberts, Project Assistant at secondacts@probonoinst.org.