A new report "Why Lawyers Give Back" has been issued by Lexis Nexis and ProBono.net, based on a survey of 207 small and large law firms in the US. The report identifies that personal fulfilment is the main factor which motivates lawyers to do pro bono. When asked why they worked pro bono, law firms interviewed responded "it is satisfying"; "generally it's some project or person that I think needs or deserves our help"; "I do it to support non-profit groups whose work I admire".
The survey indicated that two barriers to lawyers doing pro bono were - understandably - time and billing pressures. The report encouraged law firms which wished to build pro bono programmes to emphasise the importance of pro bono and implement clear policies and procedures.
If you work in a law firm and would like your firm to know more about PILA's pro bono referral scheme, please get in touch at jo.kenny@pila.ie or on 01 872 8048.
Please click here to view the report.