{"id":355862,"date":"2022-04-14T11:09:07","date_gmt":"2022-04-14T16:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/pro-bono-resource-center\/pro-bono-explained.html"},"modified":"2025-11-25T18:06:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T23:06:38","slug":"pro-bono-explained","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/pro-bono-resource-center\/pro-bono-explained.html","title":{"rendered":"Pro Bono Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pro Bono Explained<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\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 is free legal representation provided by attorneys to people who cannot afford to pay for legal services<\/span>. The term comes from the Latin phrase<\/span> “pro bono publico<\/span>,” meaning “for the public good<\/span>.” While pro bono attorneys do not charge fees for their legal services<\/span>, clients may still need to pay court costs and filing fees unless they qualify for fee waivers.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Most of us will need a lawyer’s help at some point in our lives. You may receive a traffic ticket and want to contest it, or perhaps you\u2019ll need an estate attorney<\/a> to draft a will for you and your spouse. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to understand your options when hiring an attorney.<\/p>\n

Just because we may need a lawyer doesn’t mean we can all afford one. If you’ve fallen on hard times and are fighting an eviction, going to a local legal aid<\/span> office for help might be your best option. This may also help if your son or daughter gets arrested for DUI<\/a>, and you don’t have the money to hire a private criminal defense lawyer.<\/p>\n

Some lawyers will accept a case without charging a fee. When they agree to do this, they are offering to handle a case “pro bono.”<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll explain how pro bono<\/span><\/a> works<\/span> in the legal profession<\/span>. We\u2019ll discuss pro bono <\/span>legal services<\/span> and explain how to access various pro bono programs<\/span>. If you currently need legal advice<\/span>, visit FindLaw’s attorney directory<\/a> to find local attorneys who focus on your area of concern. In their profiles, you can find important information, such as whether they offer free consultations.<\/p>\n

What Does Pro Bono Mean<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

“Pro bono publico<\/span>” (“pro bono”) is a Latin phrase<\/span> that means “for the public good<\/span>.” As the term suggests, attorneys do pro bono work<\/span> not to make a profit, but to serve the public interest<\/span><\/a>. This type of work benefits individuals and communities that would otherwise lack access to\u00a0legal assistance<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Pro bono work<\/span> can take many forms. Some law firms participate in initiatives<\/span> to provide disaster relief. Others may focus on helping veterans or families with special needs. Some members of the legal system<\/span> handle pro bono cases that impact social issues, such as helping victims of domestic violence<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pro bono work<\/span> can cover a wide range of legal matters. Certain areas, like family law, housing, immigration, and civil rights, are more commonly handled on a pro bono basis than others.<\/p>\n

Is Pro Bono Really Free?<\/h2>\n

While “pro bono” really does mean free legal services<\/span>, there may be legal costs associated with your case that have nothing to do with your attorney. For example, you may have to pay filing fees<\/a> and other court costs. It’s one thing for an attorney to handle your case for free. It’s another thing entirely to expect them to pay out-of-pocket for the expenses related to your case.<\/p>\n

You have options when it comes to paying these out-of-pocket expenses:<\/p>\n