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

Trolly Stop frequently provides catering carts pro bono to school and charity events. — Katie Riley, Southern Living, 17 July 2026

During Lee’s time in the administration, Bass was also receiving pro bono communications help from Yusef Robb, an outside consultant who worked on her 2022 campaign. — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

The nonprofit serves as a de facto pro bono law firm for endangered species, with clients as diverse as polar bears in the Arctic and skinks in the Florida Keys. — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Architect Ben Meza, a San Ysidro native volunteering independently of his employer, has secured an engineer willing to work pro bono on the foundation design if needed. — Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 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