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
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
The rule allows federal employees to accept pro bono legal services if the work is connected to their official duties or prior involvement in a presidential campaign or transition team.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
The Los Angeles law firm had previously worked with the ADL, including to provide pro bono legal assistance to parents whose children are experiencing antisemitism in California schools.
—Taylor Romine, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
The Harris campaign used Sublime’s product pro bono, Kamdjou said.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024
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 1 Mar. 2025.
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