2023 Report on the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® Initiative

Published on 15 June 2023 The 2023 Report on the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge Initiative examines the pro bono performance of signatories to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge statement during the 2022 calendar year.

In 2022, signatories to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge initiative contributed just over 4.95 million hours of pro bono service, a substantial increase (7.3%) in total pro bono hours from 2021, despite the fact that 2 additional firms reported for 2021. While the increase in total pro bono hours is welcome and important, the increase seems to be largely attributable to a greater number of lawyers at reporting firms; the number of overall timekeepers increased by 13.6%. Had participation rates and hours per participant remained steady compared to 2021, the total reported hours should have increased by about 12.3%, rather than the 7.3% actually achieved.