At the end of June, the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Windsor, striking down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), marked a turning point in the nation’s struggle for LGBT equality. One notable feature of this case and others like it is the significant contribution made by pro bono lawyers, both as counsel of record and on behalf of various amici curiae. Despite the recent accomplishments, the struggle for LGBT equality marches on. The PBEye previously highlighted examples of pro bono efforts aimed at reducing bullying in schools. Additional inspiring examples of law firms collaborating with

PBI’s Law Firm Pro Bono Project is currently updating What Counts? A Compilation of Questions and Answers, a guide of frequently asked questions and explanations of “what counts” as pro bono legal services for the purpose of the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge®. Since its original publication in 2003 and its revision in 2008, we have continued to receive a steady flow of new inquiries, whose inclusion in the upcoming version of What Counts will help further fine-tune our guidance regarding the definition of pro bono legal services in a principled, clear, and consistent fashion. Among some of the more frequent

The National Law Journal has released its annual “Appellate Hot List,” recognizing elite law firms involved in the most significant appeals of the year with stellar records of appellate advocacy before “the Supreme Court, federal circuit courts of appeal, and state courts of last resort.” What struck us most about the Appellate and Supreme Court Practices doing “killer appellate work” is the prominent role pro bono plays in their self-described and reported accomplishments. In addition to achievements in commercial matters over the past year, the 20 firms on the Hot List were involved as pro bono counsel in a wide-range

Looking for a pro bono-themed read for the upcoming long weekend?  In summers past, our suggestions have included the best-selling The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, an article on feedback loops, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic To Kill A Mockingbird. This year, we continue to be inspired by Dewey Bozella and the work of our friends at Fredrikson & Byron P.A.*†on behalf of Damon Thibodeaux, and have made selections that focus on pro bono work to exonerate the wrongfully convicted.  John Hollway and Ronald Gauthier’s Killing Time: An 18-Year Odyssey From Death Row To Freedom tells the true story of

Is your firm taking full advantage of your Law Firm Pro Bono Project Member Benefits? Why not invite the Law Firm Project for a visit! The Law Firm Project provides a variety of expert consultative services to Member Law Firms.  One benefit of Membership is a House Call where Law Firm Project Director Tammy Taylor and Law Firm Project Assistant Director Reena Glazer visit your city or one nearby.  During the visits Project staff meet with pro bono committees, firm and office leaders, partners, and pro bono managers to discuss national trends in pro bono and to learn about innovative pro

Transactional or business-related pro bono projects can offer meaningful long-term solutions for individuals, families, and communities in need.  In addition, involving non-litigators is one of the most effective ways to enhance pro bono performance and broaden institutional support for pro bono.  Law firms and legal departments that want to expand their pro bono programs by involving their business and transactional lawyers, however, often report difficulty in finding a steady, varied, and reliable stream of appropriate transactional pro bono matters.  It is one of the most common topics of requests for expert consultation that we receive, and we can help! Recently,

In the days between Earth Day and Arbor Day, our thoughts turn to spring, nature, and environmental sustainability.  The increased attention given to environmental and climate change issues over the past few years has brought about local, national, and international concern for the health of our planet.  In their annual reports, newsletters and on their websites, a number of companies and law firms emphasize their adoption and implementation of green business practices.  Recycling programs, energy-efficient lighting, and the use of e-mail and technology instead of paper are just a few ways in which law firms and legal departments, and indeed