What Is a Pro Bono Lawyer, and How Do You Find One?

"Pro bono" is short for the Latin pro bono publico, "for the good of the public," and refers to legal work lawyers do without charge. In most states, pro bono service is a professional goal rather than a requirement, though some states require lawyers to report their pro bono hours and New York requires 50 hours of pro bono work before bar admission. People looking for free help are usually directed to legal aid organizations, which often work with volunteer lawyers; eligibility often depends on income.

What the law says

The Florida Bar translates "Pro Bono Publico" as "For the Good of the Public." The Florida Bar, Pro Bono Publico History
Example (Minnesota): the state's Rule 6.1, "Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service," says every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay and should aspire to render at least 50 hours of pro bono publico legal services per year, with a substantial majority provided without fee to persons of limited means or to organizations that address their needs. Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 6.1 (Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes)
Minnesota's Rule 6.1 is written as a goal ("should aspire"); its comment says the responsibility is not intended to be enforced through the disciplinary process. The rule also says lawyers should voluntarily contribute financial support to organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means. Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 6.1 (Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes)
Example (New York): the New York State Board of Law Examiners says the Court of Appeals adopted a rule on September 14, 2012 requiring applicants who pass the New York bar exam to perform 50 hours of pro bono service before applying for admission; applicants seeking admission after January 1, 2015 must show compliance. The requirement does not apply to admission on motion. New York State Board of Law Examiners, Admission Information
Example (Florida): The Florida Bar says its aspirational goal is 20 hours of pro bono service a year or $350 in contributions to legal aid organizations. The goal is not mandatory, but each member must report annually on the membership fee statement whether they met it, including hours and contribution amounts. The Florida Bar, Pro Bono Service Options and Reporting
Example (Illinois): the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission says Rule 756(f) does not require Illinois lawyers to provide pro bono services, but lawyers must disclose their pro bono hours and monetary contributions in their annual registration, which is not complete without that section. The information is confidential and reported publicly only in the aggregate. Illinois ARDC, Registration FAQs
Example (California): the State Bar of California says it encourages attorneys to do pro bono work and that, starting in 2026, attorneys must report the pro bono hours they performed during the prior calendar year. State Bar of California, Volunteer for Pro Bono
Example (Oregon): the Oregon State Bar says pro bono service includes all uncompensated services performed by lawyers for the public good, and it encourages lawyers to provide 80 hours of unpaid service to their communities each year, including 20 to 40 hours or two cases of direct legal services to the poor; it says this standard was adopted in 1989. Its Pro Bono Program does not match clients with pro bono attorneys. Oregon State Bar, Pro Bono Program
Legal aid organizations funded by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) must spend an amount equal to 12.5% of their annualized basic field grant each year on involving private attorneys, under federal regulation 45 C.F.R. Part 1614. Legal Services Corporation, Advisory Opinion 2022-004
LSC-funded legal aid organizations help people in households with annual incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines; LSC says most legal aid practices focus on family law, and they also handle housing matters such as evictions and foreclosures. Legal Services Corporation, How We Work

FAQ

Are lawyers required to do pro bono work?

In the states reviewed here, generally no. Minnesota's rule and Florida's goal are aspirational, though Florida, Illinois, and California require lawyers to report their pro bono hours. New York requires 50 hours of pro bono service from bar-exam applicants before admission.

Can the state bar match me with a pro bono lawyer?

Not always. The Oregon State Bar's Pro Bono Program says it does not match clients with pro bono attorneys and points people to legal aid offices and its Modest Means reduced-fee program. The North Carolina Bar Association's referral service says it does not refer people to pro bono legal services.

How do I find free legal help near me?

LSC's website lets you enter an address or city to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you, and it points to LawHelp.org for legal information and free legal forms.

Does a lawyer referral service connect people with free lawyers?

It depends on the service. The State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Service says it has no participating attorneys offering free or reduced-fee legal assistance and directs people to TexasLawHelp.org for free or low-cost resources.

Where can Floridians look for pro bono help?

The Florida Bar's pro bono page points to Pro Bono Matters, a Lawyers in Libraries program using public library computers and staff, and the Florida Courts self-help website for people who cannot afford private counsel.

Is a pro bono lawyer the same as a public defender?

No. The Florida Bar says legal aid offices do not take criminal cases because the state provides public defenders to represent people accused of crimes.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.

What Is a Pro Bono Lawyer, and How Do You Find One?

What the law says

FAQ

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