pro bono
adjective
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In Latin, pro bono publico means "for the public good;" in English we generally shorten the phrase to pro bono. Donating free legal help to those who need it has long been a practice of American law firms; the American Bar Association actually recommends that all lawyers donate 50 hours a year. Pro bono work is sometimes donated by nonlegal firms as well. For example, an advertising firm might produce a 60-second video for an environmental or educational organization, or a strategic-planning firm might prepare a start-up plan for a charity that funds shelters for battered women.
Examples of pro bono in a Sentence
Joe Walsh, CBS News, 23 May 2025
Founded in Chicago in 1914, Jenner & Block represents large corporations, universities, emerging companies and individuals, and prides itself on being a top pro bono firm.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
That’s why Urbina dedicates a significant part of his time to pro bono work.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 15 May 2025
As first reported by The News, lawyer Frank Carone, Adams’ ex-chief of staff and political confidant who’s also close with Mastro, has recently provided pro bono advice to the housing opponents.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Pro bono.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro%20bono. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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