Why Do Pro Bono?
Pro bono legal services are volunteer services provided to people of limited means without compensation or the expectation of compensation. Why? “For the public good,” which is the direct translation of pro bono publico, colloquially shortened to pro bono.
Here in Massachusetts, Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (voluntary pro bono publico service) encourages each member of the Bar of the Commonwealth to provide at least twenty-five (25) hours of pro bono publico legal services annually. This standard is in line with Massachusetts attorneys’ longstanding tradition of providing pro bono services to those in need. We do this work because we understand that when we donate our time and legal expertise, we can make a direct impact on our community, and because all attorneys have a calling to give back to our communities in this way.
The need for pro bono counsel is great. While legal service organizations help as many people as they can, they still must turn away two out of every five income-eligible persons seeking their assistance. As a result, many low-income litigants must navigate a complex legal process without the benefit of legal representation. For example, approximately 90% of eviction cases and two-thirds of domestic relations cases in the Massachusetts courts involve at least one unrepresented litigant. Those who offer pro bono legal assistance expand access to justice by helping people who would otherwise not be able to afford legal representation, making a real difference in the lives of their clients.
In addition to the rewarding nature of pro bono service, there are other tangible benefits in the professional growth of attorneys and law students who do this work. Volunteering to provide pro bono service can increase your knowledge of the legal system, offer opportunities to learn new skills, broaden your network, and expand your access to professional opportunities.
We invite you to join others in the Commonwealth committed to the tradition of pro bono service. Through pro bono service, attorneys and law students can use their legal training to give back to their communities and build professional connections with others in the Commonwealth who share their values. Through this important work, we are reminded of the privilege that our legal skills afford us and the importance of upholding the collective commitment to access to justice for all. Pro bono service can take many different forms, but each contribution can make a life-changing impact.
Getting Started
There is no shortage of opportunities for lawyers who want to begin doing pro bono work. Many sponsoring organizations offer the training and support you need to successfully assist clients. Here are just a few ways to get started:
- Lawyer for the Day Programs: The Massachusetts Court System hosts Lawyer for the Day programs at courthouses throughout the Commonwealth. Learn more about Lawyer for the Day programs and contact the organization that runs the program you are interested in to volunteer.
- Mass Pro Bono: The Mass Pro Bono website allows lawyers to search dozens of volunteer opportunities across a variety of legal areas, from organizations serving low-income Massachusetts residents.
- Bar Associations: Contact the Massachusetts Bar Association or your local bar association.
- Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA): DALA recently launched a new pilot program to connect lawyers of different experience levels with unrepresented litigants.
- Legal Aid: Contact your local legal aid program.
For those who are not lawyers but wish to volunteer to increase access to justice, the Court Service Centers are looking for volunteers.
Who Can Do Pro Bono?
Mass. R. Prof. C. 6.1 encourages all* members of the Massachusetts bar to use their legal skills to give back to the community through pro bono legal work. For private attorneys practicing solo or at a law firm of any size, there is a wide array of opportunities available through the courts and civil legal aid/nonprofit advocacy programs (see “How to get started” link above). These groups actively recruit volunteer attorneys to provide pro bono legal assistance to qualifying clients and engagements can take many forms, including full representation, limited assistance representation, and lawyer-for-the-day commitments.
Recognizing the justice gap, the Supreme Judicial Court has broadened eligibility rules to expressly allow and encourage retired lawyers, inactive lawyers, in-house counsel and law students to provide pro bono legal support, as follows:
- SJC Rule 4:02(8) welcomes retired and inactive Massachusetts attorneys to provide pro bono service under the supervision of an approved legal services organization. Those interested in engaging can also consider the Access to Justice Fellows Program which connects retired lawyers and judges with legal services organizations and other nonprofits to engage in pro bono work.
- In Massachusetts, legal departments of major companies have partnered with law firms, community organizations, bar associations, and the courts to initiate or expand their pro bono programs. SJC Rule 4:02(9) expressly allows in-house lawyers who work in Massachusetts but are licensed to practice in other jurisdictions to perform pro bono legal work in the Commonwealth.
- Law students are also encouraged to engage in law-related pro bono service. Many law schools provide opportunities to volunteer and even require service engagement. See Information for Law Students about Pro Bono Service.
*For lawyers whose employers restrict their ability to engage in pro bono work (e.g., governmental agencies), there are other ways to be involved “for the public good.” These lawyers may consider speaking with their employers to understand the parameters of the restrictions, working within their organization to promote and improve access to justice, joining a public interest committee, or participating in a bar association or civic organization, among other actions. Although there may be limitations, all lawyers are encouraged to find rewarding ways to support access to justice.
Celebrating Pro Bono Service
Each year, the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services administers two programs to celebrate and honor the achievements of Massachusetts lawyers, law students, law firms, and other legal organizations who have demonstrated their dedication to providing pro bono legal services to benefit those in need.
First, the Pro Bono Honor Roll annually recognizes individual attorneys, law students, law firms, solo practitioners, in-house corporate counsel offices, government attorney offices, non-profit organizations, and law school faculties who certify that they have met certain hourly targets for pro bono service.
Second, each year the Committee presents the John Adams and John Quincy Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards to highlight the work of a select number of Massachusetts lawyers, law students, law firms, and other legal organizations who have demonstrated truly extraordinary commitment to providing volunteer legal services for people of limited means.
Participants in the Pro Bono Honor Roll and recipients of the Adams Pro Bono Awards are celebrated in a ceremony at the John Adams Courthouse in October.
Committee Members
Ilana Gelfman, Esq., Chair
SJC Judicial Liaison: Hon. Elizabeth N. Dewar, Associate Justice, Supreme Judicial Court
Akosua Agyepong, Esq.
Dick Bauer, Esq.
Vali Buland, Esq.
John Carroll, Esq.
Pavitra R. Chari
Nickeisha Davidson, Esq.
Rochelle Jones, Esq.
Samuel Moskowitz, Esq.
Rosalyn Garbose Nasdor, Esq.
Meredith Palmer, Esq.
Courtney Pitta, Esq.
Brian Reichart, Esq.
Anant Saraswat, Esq.
Deborah Silva, Esq.
Carlos Teuscher, Esq.
SJC Liaison: Chip Phinney, Chief Counsel for Judicial Policy, Supreme Judicial Court
Updated April 2026