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

Columbia University agreed to pay $221 million, and Brown University committed $50 million in July, while at least nine major law firms have pledged between $40 million and $125 million each in pro bono services, according to a July news release from the White House. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Beyond the courtroom, the firm invests in pro bono clinics to demystify legal processes. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025

Cuprys stated that since then, access to attorneys remains a problem, especially for detainees who need to speak with pro bono lawyers. —Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025

Many of those clients are likely mistaken, although some advisors and organizations do provide advice on a pro bono basis for underserved communities. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2025

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