pro bono
adjective
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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
Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
An architecture firm will offer $20,000 in pro bono services for a nonprofit in Texas.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
Pathways to Citizenship recently recognized Caroline Wang, a senior at the University of California, San Diego, as Volunteer of the Month for her work supporting pro bono and low cost legal services for immigrant families across San Diego County.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The Brewers have an advocate working for them pro bono to appeal their Medicaid application denial.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pro bono
Cite this Entry
“Pro bono.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro%20bono. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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