In recent widely reported comments to the Rochester, N.Y., chapter of the Federalist Society Lawyers Division, the Honorable Dennis G. Jacobs, Chief Judge of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, questioned whether high-visibility pro bono “impact” litigation undertaken by large law firms was actually in the public interest.
Jacobs’ speech, titled, “Pro Bono for Fun and Profit,” questioned the motives of large law firms that undertake well-funded and well-staffed litigation against the government or attempt to espouse a particular political or social position:
