{"id":355863,"date":"2022-04-14T13:04:25","date_gmt":"2022-04-14T18:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/pro-bono-resource-center\/pro-bono-explained\/quick-answers-to-common-questions-about-pro-bono.html"},"modified":"2026-03-01T14:33:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T19:33:00","slug":"quick-answers-to-common-questions-about-pro-bono","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/pro-bono-resource-center\/pro-bono-explained\/quick-answers-to-common-questions-about-pro-bono.html","title":{"rendered":"Quick Answers to Questions About Pro Bono"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Quick Answers to Questions About Pro Bono<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Steven Ellison, 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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Understanding what “pro bono” means can be confusing because the term is often used as a catch\u2011all for free legal help. It is also common to mix up pro bono work with contingency\u2011fee cases, not realizing that pro bono attorneys don\u2019t get paid even if they win.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Many people are surprised to learn that \u201cfree legal help\u201d isn\u2019t a single system but a mix of legal aid organizations, volunteer attorneys, and other resources that often share similar goals but work differently.<\/p>\n

Understanding who qualifies, what costs might still exist, and how pro bono differs from legal aid can feel confusing, especially if you\u2019re trying to figure out where to start. Keep reading for answers to common questions\u00a0about getting free legal representation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \n \n Pro Bono and Free Legal Help FAQ\n <\/h3>\n \n \n \n What Is Pro Bono?\u200b\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    "Pro bono publico" is Latin and means "for the public good." Attorneys who volunteer to take on clients and legal issues without charging any legal fees are taking a case "pro bono." Typical pro bono clients include people with low income, people with a civil rights issue, or those who otherwise not have access to justice in our legal system.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Who Can Get Pro Bono Representation?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Anyone can get pro bono representation<\/a>. They just have to find an attorney willing to represent them at no cost.<\/p>\n

    Conversely, most legal aid organizations have eligibility requirements. These usually revolve around income and assets. They also may limit their services to those who live in a certain city, county, or state<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Is Pro Bono Really Free?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Yes. Pro bono attorneys do not charge their clients any legal fees. However, there may on occasion be some court costs or filing fees<\/a> you have to help with if you don’t qualify for a fee waiver from the court. This depends on the organization, the attorney you are working with, and the type of case you have. But you’d have to pay these costs even if you were representing yourself. The attorney does not get any of that money.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Do Pro Bono Lawyers Get Paid if They Win?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    No. When a lawyer takes a percentage of a client’s award (as is typical in a car accident injury case) it is called a contingency fee arrangement<\/a>. This is not pro bono work, it is just a different type of fee arrangement. For pro bono, a lawyer doesn’t take a fee regardless of the outcome of the case.<\/p>\n

    Pro bono work rarely involves personal injury lawsuits, class actions, or other types of lawsuits seeking money. If you have a legitimate personal injury case, however, you can almost certainly find a lawyer<\/a> who will represent you with no upfront costs.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Do Pro Bono Attorneys Work for the Government?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Not usually. Legal aid and pro bono organizations receive funds and grants from state and federal governments, but they do not work directly for any government agency. Pro bono lawyers can, and regularly do, file civil lawsuits<\/a> against government agencies. Public law schools also often have pro bono programs that are not affiliated with the government, even though they receive public funding. Law schools do this to help others, get mentoring for law students, and provide for experiential learning.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n What’s the Difference Between Legal Aid and Pro Bono?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Pro bono work can be done by any licensed lawyer. With pro bono<\/a>, attorneys voluntarily choose to take a case for free, regardless of the client\u2019s income.<\/p>\n

    Legal aid is usually offered by nonprofit organizations with strict income and issue\u2011based eligibility rules. Legal aid organizations may target different legal issues, such as domestic violence, landlord\/tenant disputes, or tax issues. Some legal aid organizations focus primarily on immigration law.<\/p>\n

    Legal Aid at Work<\/a> is a specific organization providing staffed, grant\u2011funded legal services in defined legal areas.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n What If I Don’t Qualify for Help From Legal Aid?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    If your income is too high to qualify for legal aid<\/a>, there may be other options for you. You could try a free legal clinic, representing yourself and conducting your own research, or try to find a different organization\/lawyer who could help. You may even see if you can pay an attorney for only certain, specific tasks at a lower cost than a full representation agreement.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n If My Pro Bono Lawyer Isn’t Making Money, Why Do They Do It?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    As a vital part of a healthy society, lawyers are widely expected to help their communities and indigent individuals. The American Bar Association has created model rules for attorney professionalism and ethics<\/a>. These include pro bono requirements. ABA Model Rule 6.1 encourages every lawyer to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services per year. Most attorneys have done pro bono work at some point in their career, and many make it a priority to help less fortunate individuals.<\/p>\n

    There are benefits for the attorneys and law firms<\/a> involved in pro bono opportunities, however. These include generating goodwill, refining their skills, and the emotional and psychological benefits you get from community service.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

    Still Have Questions? An Attorney Can Help<\/h2>\n

    The FAQ above covered just a snapshot of the questions you may have about getting free or low-cost legal help. If you are facing a legal issue and need advice, consider visiting FindLaw\u2019s attorney directory<\/a> to find local attorneys who specialize in your legal area of need. They can also discuss their fee structure, whether they take cases on contingency, and other cost-related information.<\/p>\n

    Because state laws are relevant for most legal issues, look for attorneys licensed in your state. Enter your city or ZIP code and practice area for a list of qualified legal advisors near you. In your search results, you can find important information about potential attorneys, such as whether they offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n\n

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