The Washington, D.C.-based Pro Bono Institute provides support, guidance and training to major law firms, public interest groups and corporate legal departments interested in initiating or expanding their pro bono efforts.
In 2000, the Pro Bono Institute formed the Corporate Pro Bono Organization in collaboration with the Association of Corporate Counsel to advocate for and promote corporate pro bono efforts. At that time, “corporate pro bono was an oxymoron,” said Esther Lardent, president of PBI. “People looked at you like it was ludicrous to suggest corporate pro bono. It was not widely known and there was no buzz about it,” she said. The political, social and business climate was right for the venture.
