Pro bono publico is unpaid work provided by trained professionals, often lawyers, to help those who cannot afford legal aid. It is a way for lawyers to create a positive public image and can be required in some regions to maintain a professional license. Agencies can help connect people with lawyers willing to provide pro bono services. This work can also extend beyond the legal domain.
“Pro bono publico” refers to work provided by an experienced professional, in the field in which they are trained, without compensation. This is often provided by solicitors and other legal professionals to help those who may be unable to afford legal aid and is often seen as a way to improve the general public image of solicitors. There are agencies and groups that help connect people with lawyers willing to provide such services. “Pro bono publico” can also refer to unpaid work provided by professionals outside the legal trade.
Often simply shortened to “pro bono,” pro bono publico is a Latin phrase meaning “for the public good.” This type of work is typically provided by professionals trained and experienced in the legal practice, often solicitors who may otherwise charge a large amount of money to provide equivalent legal services. The attorney takes on a case for someone who is unable to afford legal services and provides assistance in legal matters to help that person. This type of pro bono public work can involve both criminal and civil cases, and once resolved, the attorney receives no compensation for the legal assistance provided.
Pro bono public work is often viewed by lawyers and law firms as a way for legal professionals to create a more positive public image for themselves. Lawyers are often portrayed as greedy or unscrupulous practitioners of their trade, and such work provides a means by which these representations can be refuted with real-world examples. Some law firms even require this type of work from their attorneys. While pro bono public work is not necessarily legally required of lawyers in all areas, some regions have passed laws requiring such work for lawyers who wish to maintain their professional license.
There are several groups and agencies that can help people find an attorney willing to work pro bono publico. This is different from the legal right, in some places, for all people to have representation in a criminal trial, since public defenders are still compensated for their work by the state or federal government. Pro bono public work can also extend beyond the legal domain. Any professional who provides their services without compensation is doing such work, which differs from other volunteer work in that the person uses their professional skills rather than doing general tasks.
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