The pro bono community understands that providing assistance to those in need of civil legal aid is a profound public-private partnership. Access to justice is a core value, but is it fiscally prudent? In other words, what is the economic impact of funding legal services? Diverse jurisdictions (i.e., Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia) have commissioned studies to measure just this statistic, and they have yielded some remarkable results. According to a recent study entitled “Economic Impact of Civil Legal Aid Organizations in Tennessee,” a one-dollar investment in legal services

Law firm mergers are booming, with new combinations being announced at a record pace. There have already been 48 law firm mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. this year, making 2015’s mid-year total the highest in the past nine years. Mergers involve many complicated and moving pieces (compensation policies; client conflicts issues; leadership and administrative reorganization and consolidation; etc.) and can create anxiety and tension. Pro bono, however, can be an effective piece of a larger and long-term integration process. It is important that pro bono does not get lost in the shuffle and that firms think carefully about how

More than 40 firms have already become Law Firm Pro Bono Project Members for 2015-2016. These firms have publicly demonstrated their leadership and commitment to pro bono service, and we are grateful for their support. Submit your enrollment form before September 1 to receive a 10 percent discount. As a Member Firm, you have exclusive access to a variety of resources, such as expert consultative services, to help ensure the health and vitality of your pro bono program. In addition to receiving individualized (and confidential) assistance from Project staff, Member Firms also get priority scheduling for house call visits. During

PBI’s Law Firm Pro Bono Project recently released its annual Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® Report. One hundred thirty-three Challenge Signatories reported performing more than 4.2 million hours of pro bono service in 2014. A few additional highlights include: Participation The percentage of partners participating in pro bono increased to 65 percent from 63 percent in 2013, while the percentage of associates participating in pro bono essentially held steady at 81 percent. The cumulative participation rate increased slightly, with 73 percent of attorneys participating in pro bono in 2014. Pro Bono for Those of Limited Means After making a concerted effort over the past year