pro bono
adjective
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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
Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 30 Oct. 2024
During the pandemic, Beletsky shared her knowledge with those unable to attend film school by offering pro bono teaching through her social media accounts.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 14 Oct. 2024
But Lara’s case seemed so outrageous, that IJ took it pro bono and filed suit against the DEA on August 31, 2021, more than six months after Lara’s property was seized.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
At the behest of Death Row abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean (of Dead Man Walking fame), lawyer Don Knight took on Glossip’s case pro bono in 2014.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Pro bono.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro%20bono. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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