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

Matching gift programs, paid time off for volunteering, and pro bono service that puts employees’ professional skills to work can meaningfully strengthen nonprofit capacity while building durable skills across the workforce. —Cat Ward, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Schleicher is representing Michael and Susan Pretti pro bono, according to a family spokesman. —CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026

Four South Florida lawyers who put exceptional time and effort into their pro bono work were honored Thursday at the state Supreme Court with The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Awards. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026

New Haven has also worked with advocacy groups to help provide pro bono legal representation for immigrants. —Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 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