Whatever your definition of pro bono<\/em> legal services, there has been good news recently\u00a0for anyone wanting to see an increase in such activities.\u00a0 For example, Robert Ambrogi pointed<\/a> last week to the article “Pro Bono Net Unveils New Pro Bono Manager Software<\/a>” (probono.NetNews<\/em>, Nov. 2006).\u00a0 In it, Adam Licht, Pro Bono Net<\/a>\u2019s Director of Product Management, reports on the Gates Foundation\u00a0funded initiative to develop a web-based platform (expected to be operational in early 2007) that will help law firms better manage and promote their pro bono work.\u00a0\u00a0 Similarly, the NYC Pro Bono<\/em> Center<\/a> was launched online recently.\u00a0\u00a0As explained in the probono.NetNews<\/em> article “NYC Pro Bono<\/em> Center Makes Volunteering Easier Than Ever<\/a>” (Nov. 2006), the website provides a full range of targeted support to young associates interested in volunteering (from info on organizations, to training and practice manuals).\u00a0<\/p>\n A Christmas Carol<\/font><\/em><\/a> (1984) (with George C. Scott)\u00a0 If things are going so well, you might ask why this post mentions the fictitious law firm Scrooge & Scrooge<\/em> in its title.\u00a0\u00a0 The first (and obvious) reason is to identify law firms that do not have an active pro bono<\/em> “program” (including solos and other micros) with the\u00a0character\u00a0Ebenezer Scrooge, from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol<\/a>. \u00a0The miser Scrooge is not only oblivious\u00a0to the suffering of the poor.\u00a0 His greed also affects the work environment of his employee\u00a0Bob Cratchit, who clearly is on the verge of burnout as the story begins. (see Arnie Herz’s “The new law firm environmentalist<\/a>,” at legal sanity<\/em> weblog, and the article New York Magazine<\/a><\/em> article, “Can’t Get No Satisfaction,” Dec. 4, 2006; via Legal Blog Watch<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n But, I’ve also mentioned both Scrooge and<\/em> Scrooge, because I’m wondering which<\/em> Scrooge is behind the push within law firms to increase pro bono<\/em> activities — is it the pre-enlightened Scrooge? or the loving, generous Scrooge\u00a0after he’s been\u00a0visited by the Three Angels?\u00a0 (Or, more aptly, what combination of the two is it?)\u00a0 The question came to mind because there\u00a0seems to be\u00a0such a great deal of effort to convince law firms that pro bono<\/em> will somehow be good for their bottom line.\u00a0<\/p>\n For example, Pro Bono Net’s Adam Licht states in the article mentioned above on Pro Bono Manager software that:<\/p>\n Similarly, even the admirable Model Law Firm Pro Bono<\/em> Policy<\/a>\u00a0(from the New York State Bar Association)\u00a0has the law firm stating\u00a0that pro bono<\/em> has benefits for the law firm and individual attorneys.\u00a0 Beyond professional development and demonstrating commitment to their community, the Model Policy statement notes pro bono<\/em> “can help develop individual and corporate clients.”<\/p>\n![\"dictionaryG\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/shlep\/files\/2006\/12\/dictionaryG.gif\")
\u00a0Although some lawyer groups have\u00a0tried to stretch its meaning (see pro<\/em> bono publico<\/em> relations<\/a>, at f\/k\/a<\/em>), “pro bono<\/em>” activity has traditionally meant<\/a> “legal services rendered to poor persons or to public interest organizations dedicated to serving poor persons . . . or improving the availability or quality of legal services to such persons.”\u00a0\u00a0Those who believe<\/a> that self-help law is the most practical or efficient\u00a0way to assure “justice for all” also consider services related to “simplifying the legal process for poor persons,” or to helping them to present their cases in court without (or with limited) lawyer assistance, to be solidly within the meaning of\u00a0pro bono<\/em>.\u00a0 In addition, some would include<\/a> in the definition of pro bono<\/em> volunteer legal assistance to “organizations involved in social causes such as environmental, consumer, minority, youth, battered women and education organizations and charities”\u00a0(while others might retort that one person’s “public interest” or reform cause can be viewed by\u00a0another as simply politics, pet projects or pro malo publico<\/em>).<\/p>\n![\"ScroogeScott\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/shlep\/files\/2006\/12\/ScroogeScott.gif\")
<\/font><\/font>\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"ScroogedMurray\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/shlep\/files\/2006\/12\/ScroogedMurray.gif\")
\u00a0“But today, many firms now also view pro bono work as a means to achieve core business objectives, including boosting marketing and brand-building efforts; helping firms stand out in a competitive market; providing valuable training to younger associates; and as a tool for recruitment and retention.”\u00a0 [image from Scrooged<\/em><\/font><\/a>, 1998, with Dan Murray]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
![\"NoSanta\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/shlep\/files\/2006\/11\/NoSantaGS.gif\")
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Will the firm become less supportive of pro bono<\/em>, when volunteer work gets in the way of a paying client’s needs?\u00a0 Will the associate pining for litigation experience\u00a0force\u00a0a family court matter to trial, even when (like most matters relating to custody, visitation, support) it can and should be resolved through negotiation or mediation?\u00a0 Will the failure of pro bono<\/em> to “achieve core business objectives” cause initial enthusiasm to dwindle, so that partners who were willing to abide pro bono<\/em> aspirations and programs, withdraw their support, when having such programs no longer yields any comparative marketplace advantage in their follow-the-leader profession?<\/p>\n