The Pro Bono Institute

Genesis of Second Acts

A groundbreaking study of upcoming demographic changes in the legal profession forecast that the number of lawyers in the United States aged 50 and older is expected to triple over the next two decades, due to the aging of the “baby boomer” generation. Even if only 5% of these lawyers – the largest, healthiest, and most economically stable generation of lawyers to approach senior status – were to transition to public interest practice, it would double the number of lawyers available to meet the unmet legal needs of the poor and disadvantaged.

Inspired by the shifting shape of this professional population, PBI launched Second Acts – an ambitious initiative designed to support transitioning and retired lawyers who are interested in a second, volunteer career in public interest law. In an effort to develop a bold new model of legal retirement, PBI is working with its core constituencies – major law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations – to develop replicable projects with the potential to reduce the widening access to justice gap.

With the aid of a three-year grant award from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Pro Bono Institute has selected five outstanding public interest organizations to pilot four innovative demonstration projects that make significant use of the talents and skills of seasoned lawyers. The Legal Aid Society in New York, Volunteer Lawyer's Project of the Boston Bar Association, Bar Association of San Francisco's Volunteer Legal Services Program, Bay Area Legal Aid, and Kids Matter, Inc. plan to implement scalable and replicable projects that make strategic use of this unique pool of legal talent.

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