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All of us at PBI are devastated about the unexpected passing of James (Jim) W. Jones on December 11. Jim was Chair of PBI’s Board of Directors for 27 years, from its inception in 1996 through December 2023. Jim was a dear friend and champion of PBI and its mission, providing wise, warm, and dependable counsel for decades, always with a twinkle in his eyes.
Jim believed passionately that lawyers were obligated to help those less fortunate, and he embodied that credo in his personal and professional life. Jim will be missed far more than we can express, although his influence and impact on PBI and the entire legal and access to justice community will continue to be felt.
Our hearts go out to Jim’s family and loved ones. Jim’s obituary can be viewed here.
The PBI 2024 Report on the Law Firm Pro Bono Project® Staffing Survey shares staffing insights made possible by Law Firm Pro Bono Project members and signatories to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® initiative that responded to our detailed survey on all things pro bono staffing. From pro bono professionals to operational and administrative support staff to pro bono committees, the report examines the roles and responsibilities of those standing at the helm of impactful law firm pro bono programs. READ THE REPORT HERE
Missed the webinar presentation for Law Firm Pro Bono Project members on the Staffing Survey Report? Members can contact us to request a link to the recording. Haven’t renewed your membership yet? Click here to renew or join now!
Start your 2025 in-house pro bono efforts off strong by becoming a Corporate Pro Bono Challenge® signatory. By joining the CPBO Challenge® initiative, legal departments elevate the importance of providing pro bono legal services. All CPBO Challenge signatories receive from CPBO, free of charge, information, guidance, and tailored support to strengthen existing pro bono programs or to start new ones. LEARN MORE AND JOIN TODAY
Accenture** has been a leader in expanding legal access, with impactful projects like Disability:In and a name-change pro bono initiative in Brazil with NGO Casa Florescer. These efforts highlight how in-house legal teams can structure and deliver different pro bono legal services, even within the same corporation.
In this Challenge Signatory Showcase episode of the Pro Bono Happy Hour podcast, Nihad Mansour, Assistant Director, Law Firm Pro Bono Project, interviewed Derek Bolka, Contract Specialist and Project Lead for Disability:In at Accenture, and Luciana Arana, Senior Contracting Counsel at Accenture Brazil, about their respective pro bono efforts. LISTEN TO THE PRO BONO HAPPY HOUR PODCAST
We’re excited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® initiative in 2025. Implemented in 1995, this initiative has set a gold standard for law firms to dedicate 3 or 5 percent of their billable hours to pro bono work, making a significant impact on increasing access to justice. To date, Challenge signatories have contributed more than 100 million hours of pro bono service. In addition to their pro bono service, Challenge signatories also contribute to industry research that informs PBI reports and resources. We’re proud of these accomplishments and invite you to join us in celebrating the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge. Please share your reflections and memories with lawfirm@probonoinst.org and tag us on LinkedIn using the hashtag #LFProBonoChallenge30. READ MORE ON THE PBEYE BLOG
Over 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year and 89 percent of unhoused youth face mental health challenges, yet legal and logistical barriers make it difficult to access care. In response, the National Homelessness Law Center and pro bono attorneys from Alston & Bird*† teamed up to create Access to Mental Health Treatment: Unhoused Youth and Young Adults, a guide that navigates complex state policies on mental health consent, coverage, and access for youth experiencing homelessness. READ MORE ON THE PBEYE BLOG
CPBO publishes and updates a collection of infographics focused on building and maintaining in-house pro bono programs. View the list of recently updated infographics and stay tuned for additional updates.
Early-bird registration ends January 22, 2025. Register early for the best rate and to secure your spot at the AI + Pro Bono Pre-Conference. Space is limited! REGISTER HERE
* denotes a Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® signatory
** denotes a Corporate Pro Bono Challenge® signatory
† denotes a Law Firm Pro Bono Project® member
Pro Bono Institute®, PBI®, Law Firm Pro Bono Project®, and CPBO® are registered trademarks of Pro Bono Institute
