{"id":355859,"date":"2022-04-21T13:26:23","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T18:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/pro-bono-resource-center\/how-pro-bono-cases-work.html"},"modified":"2026-03-02T11:29:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:29:00","slug":"how-pro-bono-cases-work","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/pro-bono-resource-center\/how-pro-bono-cases-work.html","title":{"rendered":"How Pro Bono Cases Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How Pro Bono Cases Work<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Pro bono cases work by connecting people who can\u2019t afford a lawyer with attorneys who volunteer their time to serve the public good. Lawyers typically choose matters that advance justice or help underserved communities. The process of forming\u2014and later ending\u2014the attorney\u2011client relationship is usually simple and clearly outlined in writing.<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone who needs legal services can afford them. Thankfully, lawyers who provide their services for free or at a reduced rate help bridge the gap between those who need legal help and those who can pay for it. This is called \u201cpro bono” work, from the Latin phrase \u201cpro bono publico” (for the public good).<\/p>\n

Pro bono cases also benefit attorneys<\/a> by giving them courtroom experience, opportunities to expand their skills, and a meaningful way to support causes they care about.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This article explains how pro bono legal services work. You\u2019ll learn the types of legal issues lawyers are more likely to take on without charge, how pro bono work benefits both clients and attorneys, and more.<\/p>\n

What Are the Roots of Pro Bono Service?<\/h2>\n

Pro bono work has a long tradition in this country. In 1770, British soldiers killed five Americans in what became known as the Boston Massacre. No lawyer was willing to defend the soldiers. Although sympathetic to the American cause, John Adams (later the second American president) agreed to represent them for free.\u00a0He won the case.<\/a>\u00a0By the time America declared its independence in 1776, pro bono service was considered an accepted practice by the American legal profession.<\/p>\n

What Legal Issues Qualify for Pro Bono Representation?<\/h2>\n

Not every legal matter<\/a> is considered appropriate for pro bono representation. Lawyers typically choose only those cases that serve the public good. That includes, among other areas of law:<\/p>\n