Pro bono news around the world
A regular feed of pro bono stories in the media and updates from across the global pro bono sector.
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The economics of pro bono legal representation
Access to legal representation is essential to the realization of human rights and recognized by international law as a fundamental right itself. It determines whether people can challenge unlawful detention, contest discriminatory laws, assert constitutional protections, seek remedies for violations, and receive a fair trial, especially in criminal proceedings. Legal aid systems exist to provide representation for those who cannot afford to pay a lawyer to enforce their rights.
[Paywall] ABA connects death row inmate to pro bono attorneys who help free him
Jimmie “Chris” Duncan is now the 117th death row inmate to avoid wrongful execution with the help of the ABA Death Penalty Representation Project.
Impact of Pro Bono Work by BigLaw Firms in 2025
In 2025, several BigLaw attorneys stood out for their exceptional commitment to pro bono work, reflecting a growing trend in the legal community
Pro bono scheme picks up two awards
The work of Cardiff University law students has been recognised with two prestigious awards.
Building pro bono ecosystems that last
One week. Fourteen countries. Sixteen events. Hundreds of lawyers, in-house counsel, bar associations, and civil society organisations came together this June for the 2026 European Pro Bono Week, and the message that emerged was unmistakable: pro bono is no longer a peripheral gesture. It is a core engine of access to justice, professional growth, and civic resilience across Europe.
Which law firms were the best at giving back during a time when Trump's White House made it difficult to do so?
Pro bono work has taken on an entirely different hue under the Trump II administration, with some Biglaw firms afraid to take on work that may be frowned upon by the White House. Trump’s vision for America has put a real ‘chill’ on traditional pro bono work that would be handled by bigger firms, leaving smaller firms and public interest organisations to take on more matters.
Pro bono infrastructure deepens at Canada's top firms, but staffing gaps persist
Canadian Lawyer's fourth annual 5-Star Pro Bono Firms report has named 17 law firms and legal departments to its 2026 list, selected from 33 nominees in partnership with Pro Bono Ontario (PBO).
ABA Free Legal Answers tops 500k questions handled since founding
The American Bar Association’s pro bono initiative, Free Legal Answers, has surpassed the milestone of responding to 500,000 total questions since the virtual civil legal advice clinic began in 2016.