Culhane Meadows’ Boston Partner, Orlando Lopez, recently authored an article about the benefits of pro bono work for attorneys, helping them step outside their practice area and expand their knowledge on other legal areas, which has been published in Law360.

Here are a few excerpts from Orlando’s article:

Background

Service has always been a part of the practice of law, at every stage of an attorney’s career. From the training given to new attorneys, to continuing education and teaching and some experienced attorneys going on to judgeships, there is a thread of responsibility to others that is an essential part of practicing law.

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Benefits

Legal Knowledge

Law students start with a broad study of the law — learning about criminal, corporate, family law, etc. — before entering the workforce, where what they practice is determined by a number of factors, some outside of their control.

According to a 2018 report from the American Bar Association, 69% of attorneys reported that their most recent pro bono experience was within their practice area, which is understandable.[1] Taking on a new area of law means finding the time to study and learn — or relearn — new laws, something that attorneys say discourages them from doing pro bono work.

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Human Connections

The legal profession is a very competitive, and sometimes adversarial, space. This can contribute to the stress that the profession is known for, evidenced by high rates of substance abuse and mental health issues, and the exodus of experienced attorneys.

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Community

Helping individuals has a way of connecting you with your broader community, as well.

My first pro bono work with an asylum-seeker led to a connection with an organization doing asylum work. I had never done that sort of work before, but that one piece of work led me to an organization that helps Afghan people who have fled to the U.S. I was not aware that my neighbors included a number of Afghan refugee families until I began working with them.

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Challenges

Of course, pro bono work is still work, and attorneys tend to have a never-ending supply of things they have to accomplish.

Many attorneys worry about finding time to commit to pro bono work. How your firm or employer sees volunteering your legal services makes a huge difference in whether you can take on the extra work, while keeping your commitments to clients and your firm or employer, as can state bar pro bono requirements.

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Conclusion

Doing work for “the good of the public” can also be very good for attorneys. Helping others lets you expand your legal toolbox, forge deeper connections in your community and grow as a human being.

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To read the entire article, click HERE

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The foregoing content is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Federal, state, and local laws can change rapidly and, therefore, this content may become obsolete or outdated. Please consult with an attorney of your choice to ensure you obtain the most current and accurate counsel about your particular situation.