PBEye Blog - Pro Bono Institute

5 Takeaways from the PBI 2025 Annual Conference

June 2, 2025

Earlier this year Pro Bono Institute (PBI) hosted its Annual Conference, bringing together pro bono leaders from law firms, in-house legal departments, and public interest organizations to explore innovative strategies for expanding access to justice. From plenaries to candid discussions, the Conference was a dynamic space for reigniting our collective commitment to justice and preparing for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Select Conference sessions are available on-demand through Practising Law Institute (PLI). Pre-Conference and Conference attendees received an email from PBI with information on how to access these recordings for FREE through October 31, 2025, as part of their Conference

Resilience and Representation: A Legal Path Forward for Asylum Seekers

May 28, 2025

PBI Signatory Showcase Interview with Stinson LLP* In the face of a growing humanitarian need, Stinson has stepped up with a powerful response. Through its Deinard Legal Clinic—the nation’s oldest firm-led medical legal partnership—Stinson launched a pro se asylum project to support newly arrived West African asylum seekers, primarily from Guinea and Liberia. For this Signatory Showcase, we spoke to Tim D. Sanders Szabo, Pro Bono Attorney at Stinson LLP, about this initiative. Please tell us about this project. Our firm runs the Deinard Legal Clinic, a legal clinic at the Community University Health Care Center (CUHCC). The Deinard Legal

The Role of Pro Bono in Land and Environmental Justice in Hawaiʻi

May 20, 2025

By PBI Intern Catherine Titzer Introduction Although often romanticized as a tropical paradise by the mainland United States, Hawaiʻi faces profound and complex legal challenges, particularly in the areas of land and environmental rights—challenges that many residents, especially Native Hawaiians, struggle to advocate for due to systemic barriers and limited access to legal resources. Pro bono legal work has played an important role in addressing these challenges, empowering Native Hawaiian communities and other residents to navigate legal systems, protect their rights, and advocate for sustainable solutions to land and environmental issues. Pro Bono Regulations in Hawaiʻi Hawaii, like several other

Bridging the Justice Gap in Legal Deserts: Community Justice Workers and Legal Advocates in Arizona

May 13, 2025

For the vast majority of Americans, hiring a lawyer simply isn’t an option. In addition to common financial barriers, Arizona ranks among the states with the lowest number of attorneys per capita, making access to legal representation especially problematic. Arizona is taking measures to bridge this growing divide through the creation of a community justice worker (CJW) and community legal advocate (CLA) program—a way for nonlawyers to help residents meet legal needs where representation is scarce or unattainable. The concept of community-based justice programs is not novel to the legal industry. As described by Frontline Justice, the leading non-partisan organization

Boost Your Pro Bono Work with the ExpertConnect Hub’s No-Cost Expert Services

April 15, 2025

Providing top-notch legal services to underserved communities often requires more than just legal expertise. Pro bono and public interest legal teams may need additional support, such as financial analysis, e-discovery, IT assistance, and litigation support. That’s where the Pro Bono Institute (PBI) ExpertConnect Pro Bono Hub comes in. This new pilot program connects providers of free legal services with a diverse network of trusted expert services providers offering their services pro bono. Their support empowers pro bono legal teams to tackle complex cases, expand organizational capacity, and deliver more effective and comprehensive services to those who need it most. A

Enhancing Access to Justice: Join the PBI ExpertConnect Pro Bono Hub and Lend Your Expertise

March 5, 2025

Access to justice remains a significant challenge, including for pro bono and public interest legal teams, which are under-resourced when faced with overwhelming need. The Pro Bono Institute (PBI) ExpertConnect Pro Bono Hub seeks to meet this challenge by connecting these legal teams with expert services that would otherwise be out of reach. This new pilot program empowers pro bono and public interest legal professionals with high-quality, specialized support, enhancing their work on behalf of low-income and marginalized clients. Inspired by the National Pro Bono Centre’s Pro Bono Expert Support Scheme, the ExpertConnect Hub will facilitate collaboration among pro bono

Breaking Down Barriers: Driver’s Licenses as a Key to Success for Individuals Reentering Society Post-Incarceration

March 4, 2025

By PBI Intern Anthony Simsecu Access to a driver’s license is a fundamental need for individuals reentering society after incarceration. In our car-dependent communities, reliable transportation is essential for securing and maintaining employment—a key factor in successful reintegration. A valid driver’s license also allows individuals to meet probation requirements, attend medical appointments, engage in civic life, and reconnect with their families and communities. However, many returning citizens face significant obstacles in restoring their licenses due to outstanding court fines, reinstatement fees, and bureaucratic barriers. These challenges can contribute to recidivism, as individuals struggle to fulfill their legal obligations and secure

Justice on the Table: Pro Bono Legal Work Supports the Fight Against Hunger

February 19, 2025

Sherese Smikle, PBI Intern Food insecurity impacts millions of people worldwide, yet it remains misunderstood by many. Food insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Economic Research Service as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food,” whereas hunger is “an individual-level physiological condition that may result from food insecurity.” The USDA categorizes food insecurity into two levels: low food security, which refers to a reduced quality and variety of diet without significant disruption in food intake, and very low food security, where eating patterns are disrupted and food intake is

How 16 Youth Activists Held Montana Accountable for Climate Justice

February 17, 2025

Vanessa Muñoz, PBI Intern The growing demand for energy to power technology has environmental costs that impact vulnerable individuals and communities. Sixteen young activists in Montana dared to challenge the status quo, calling attention to the environmental impact of unchecked laws. Their passion for preserving the environment, with the support of public interest attorneys, exposed the dangers these policies posed to their future. Their landmark victory in Held v. Montana, 2024 MT 312 (Dec. 18, 2024) proves that even the most overlooked voices have the ability to hold state governments accountable for climate injustice. This PBEye blog builds on our

Why AI for Pro Bono: A PBI Pre-Conference Preview

February 3, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation technologies are revolutionizing industries around the globe. The legal profession is no different. While there are existing and developing ethical considerations around AI, it remains important for attorneys to invest in learning about emerging technologies and consider their ability to further the impact of their work. AI’s transformative potential is particularly relevant to pro bono legal services. From automating document review to deploying chatbots for client support, AI can empower pro bono programs to reach more people and provide faster, more efficient services, expanding access to justice. The PBI AI + Pro Bono Pre-Conference coming