Philadelphia lawyers have a great history of doing pro bono work. Sometimes it is work we take on as individuals, through the wonderful public-interest organizations that serve the citizens of our city or even through our firms. According to Pennsylvania Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1, lawyers should render public-interest legal service by providing professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations; similarly, the American Bar Association has issued a call for every attorney in the private practice of law to perform, at a minimum, 50 hours of pro bono legal service annually.
We, as lawyers, are often told of the benefits of doing pro bono work. First, it can introduce you to areas of the law that you may not otherwise have exposure to. Second, it can provide much-needed experience within your practice areas. Moreover, it can provide opportunities to expand your professional network and offers the opportunity to truly feel like you are giving back to the community.
