PBEye Blog - Pro Bono Institute

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

The Transformative Impact of the Transgender Name Change Project

January 29, 2025

PBI Signatory Showcase Interview with Quarles & Brady LLP*† The Transgender Name Change Project, a partnership between Quarles & Brady LLP, the Milwaukee (MKE) LGBT Community Center, and Legal Action of Wisconsin, assists transgender and gender non-conforming individuals with legal name changes and updating gender markers on official documents. For this Signatory Showcase, we spoke with Jack Iwrey, General Corporate and Transactional Counsel at Quarles & Brady, about this partnership. Please tell us about this project. The Transgender Name Change Project is a collaborative project between the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, Legal Action of Wisconsin, and Quarles & Brady. The

Five Trends for In-House Pro Bono in 2025

January 23, 2025

Alyssa Saunders, Director, Corporate Pro Bono The 2024 Benchmarking Report by Corporate Pro Bono (CPBO) highlighted several key trends shaping in-house pro bono programs. This report, based on legal departments’ responses to CPBO’s biennial survey, provides key insights into the structure and substance of in-house pro bono programs. Here are five trends that emerged in the report, that we expect will continue to shape pro bono in 2025. Increased Institutional Commitment A rising percentage of legal departments that do pro bono are adopting formal pro bono policies. In 2024, 72% of respondents reported having a written pro bono policy, up

Celebrating 30 Years of the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge Initiative

December 17, 2024

Sarah Lahlou-Amine, Director, Law Firm Pro Bono Project As we approach 2025, we are thrilled to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® initiative! This milestone marks three decades of unwavering commitment by law firms to provide pro bono legal services to those in need. Background on the Challenge Launched in 1993, implemented in 1995, and administered by the Law Firm Pro Bono Project at PBI, the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge initiative is a unique, aspirational standard developed by law firm leaders and corporate general counsel. The Challenge encourages major law firms to dedicate a

NHLC and Alston & Bird Make Legal Resources Accessible for Unhoused Youth

December 11, 2024

This blog post is part of a series spotlighting nonprofit organizations and the pro bono collaborations that help extend the impact of their work. Catherine Titzer, PBI Intern Navigating the complexities of state laws regarding mental health coverage and consent to treatment is particularly challenging for unhoused youth and young adults, who are among the most in need of mental health resources. To address this issue, the National Homelessness Law Center (NHLC) and pro bono attorneys at Alston & Bird*†, a Pro Bono Institute Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® signatory, partnered to create Access to Mental Health Treatment: Unhoused Youth and

Supporting Underserved Communities by Creating a Model for Success

November 20, 2024

PBI Signatory Showcase Interview with Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America Allianz Life commits to pro bono through partnerships with nonprofits, such as Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, the Minnesota Elder Justice Center, and LegalCORPS. They offer critical legal services to underserved communities, including estate-planning assistance for low-income seniors, preparing health care directives, and offering legal advice for small businesses and nonprofits. For our latest Signatory Showcase, we interviewed Jeff Mason, Associate General Counsel and Senior Counsel – Litigation and Regulatory, at Allianz Life about this program and how it not only provides essential support to vulnerable populations but