The core values for the pro bono profession are community, connection, equity, justice, and action. Together, they define the shared pro bono community and norms participants want Pando to model externally.
Community
Pro bono professionals at law firms, corporations, and legal services organizations (LSOs) are part of one community. We cannot do our work without each other.
Connection
Relationships and connection are at the heart of our industry. To work well across institutions we must know and care about one another as people, and regularly consult with one another about the work and as important events occur.
Equity
No category of pro bono professional is more important than any other. We all deserve to have an equal voice in the work.
Justice
We should all strive to address the justice gap and center clients in all of our conversations, collaboration, and work.
Action
We should strive to take action together as a community to benefit our clients and improve our work.
“Applying Pando's principles changed the way I approach pro bono. They challenged me to think beyond my own organization, intentionally incorporate pro bono partnerships into our strategic planning, and recognize how collaboration with law firms can create greater impact for the communities we serve.”
Director of Pro Bono
National Legal Services Organization
The principles for success in the pro bono community and pro bono work are that pro bono is justice-oriented, client-centered, and a core professional obligation; pro bono also requires a strong and collaborative ecosystem and must be sustainably funded. Together, these principles describe what effective pro bono work should look like in practice and what future measures of success should be designed to capture.
Justice-oriented
Pro bono strives to ensure access to justice, equity, and fairness by focusing its efforts on legal work for low-income clients and communities, as well as the organizations that support them. It also addresses the needs of other vulnerable populations, impact work, and emerging community challenges.
Client-centered
The work centers the lived experiences of clients and communities, respects their dignity, and focuses on the long-term outcomes that they seek. Pro bono takes a holistic approach to the work and seeks to overcome barriers to representation.
Core professional obligation
The legal profession has a responsibility to do pro bono. It is an integral part of the rule of law, due process, and the legitimacy of the legal system. Pro bono clients are due the same zealous advocacy and excellence as all clients.
Requires a strong and collaborative ecosystem
Collaboration is essential among and between firms, corporations, and legal services organizations to maximize impact on clients and communities, increase efficiency, and build more durable programs.
Must be sustainably funded
Pro bono is not free. Law firms and corporations must meaningfully contribute to offset these costs to LSOs, and advocate for additional funding from the government and other sources.
“These principles reminded us that pro bono isn't something we do for legal aid—it's something we do with our legal aid partners. That shift has made our relationships stronger and our work more impactful.”
Pro Bono Partner
Global Law Firm
Language access is crucial to racial justice and is essential to providing effective and fair pro bono advocacy. Language barriers can significantly hinder the ability of clients and attorneys to effectively communicate with one another. Law firms should adhere to language access principles to better serve clients and ensure a more just and equitable legal system.
The Language Access Principles provide core principles to ensure equal access for Limited English Proficient and Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals seeking pro bono services.
These principles were created as a collaborative effort among the pro bono community; more information can be found on the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance’s website.
“There shouldn't be two tiers of justice—one for people who speak English and another for everyone else. Language access is fundamental to meaningful access to justice.”
Global Pro Bono Counsel
Large International Law Firm
Pando is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or referrals to individuals, legal services organizations, or public interest agencies. If you believe you need a lawyer, please contact your local bar association or go to www.lawhelp.org.