What is Pro Bono?

Pro Bono is any work that:

1. is a law-related activity; eligible tasks include: assisting an attorney at trial, client and witness interviewing and investigation, drafting documents, preparing a case for trial, assisting pro se litigants in court, community legal education, and research and writing
2. is supervised or approved by an attorney
3. not for academic credit or compensation
4. provides services to the client free of charge or at a substantially reduced rate, and
5. is on behalf of people of limited financial means, people with limited access to legal representation, or a nonprofit, civic, religious, or community organization

Why do Pro Bono?

• It’s your professional responsibility.
  • ABA Model Rule of Professional Responsibility 6.1: Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay. A lawyer should aspire to render at least 50 hours of pro bono publico legal services per year.
• Pro bono work gives you more practical experience than most classes and even in many summer jobs.
• There is a great need for free legal services in the North Carolina community and beyond.
• At certain levels of participation, you can be recognized by the school and the North Carolina Bar Association.