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

Another is development of low-cost or pro bono legal services for cases that have merit. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026

In some instances, scammers create public Facebook accounts that mirror real accounts belonging to pro bono legal services organizations, Bragg said. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

Jonathan Levy, an attorney and the director of pro bono programs at the immigrant rights organization American Gateways, represents about half a dozen Salvadoran deportees. —Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026

Get pro bono financial planning For low-income Americans and underserved groups, the Financial Planning Association offers a pro bono financial planning service. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Apr. 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