pro bono

adjective

ˌprō-ˈbō-(ˌ)nō 

: being, involving, or doing professional and especially legal work donated especially for the public good

pro bono work

pro bono adverb

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web

And pro bono, very good attorneys. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 10 June 2026

Miranda is a lawyer specializing in state and municipal law and policy as well as immigration law in a pro bono capacity. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 3 June 2026

That’s partly because San Francisco, with its vast network of pro-immigrant organizations and pro bono or low-cost legal services, had one of the country’s highest rates of legal representation for immigrants. —Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026

That’s partly because San Francisco, with its vast network of pro-immigrant organizations and pro bono or low-cost legal services, had one of the country’s highest rates of legal representation for immigrants. —ABC News, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin pro bono publico for the public good

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pro bono

• kono
• mono
• ono
• phono

Legal Definition

pro bono

adverb or adjective

ˌprō-ˈbō-nō

: being, involving, or doing legal work donated especially for the public good

Etymology

Latin pro bono publico for the public good