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

Jamal, who co-founded the Somali Justice Advocacy Center, which helps immigrants find pro bono attorneys, also helped retain a lawyer for the Somali teenager charged with piracy in the infamous Captain Richard Phillips hostage-taking. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Based in Arizona, the group has been active in taking on pro bono cases for conservative Christians who object to antidiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people in Colorado and elsewhere. — Mark Satta, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

After Jarmond was fired, Harris was appointed on a pro bono basis ahead of a search to fill the role. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Our pro bono military operations have been conducted with noticeable diffidence. — Robert Stone, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 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