pro bono

adjective

ˌprō-ˈbō-(ˌ)nō 

: being, involving, or doing professional and especially legal work donated especially for the public good

pro bono work

pro bono adverb

Did you know?

In Latin, pro bono publico means "for the public good;" in English we generally shorten the phrase to pro bono. Donating free legal help to those who need it has long been a practice of American law firms; the American Bar Association actually recommends that all lawyers donate 50 hours a year. Pro bono work is sometimes donated by nonlegal firms as well. For example, an advertising firm might produce a 60-second video for an environmental or educational organization, or a strategic-planning firm might prepare a start-up plan for a charity that funds shelters for battered women.

Examples of pro bono in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those rebuilding efforts were led by Kathleen Norris, who took the reins helping Joe and Carla find a reputable architect and other contractors, many of whom did their work pro bono. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 27 Sep. 2024

While there are no laws barring a third-party candidate from accepting pro bono support from another major party in any state, Democratic allies are pushing back on Stein's ballot access efforts. —Allison Novelo, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2024

So judges often ask lawyers to take on cases pro bono or assign nonprofits, which take monthly fees directly from their wards’ accounts. —Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2024

In 2011, Taproot partnered with LinkedIn to integrate pro bono and nonprofit board service into their professional social media profiles. —The Dreamer Media, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin pro bono publico for the public good

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

pro bono

adverb or adjective

ˌprō-ˈbō-nō

: being, involving, or doing legal work donated especially for the public good

Etymology

Latin pro bono publico for the public good