supporting, enhancing, and transforming the pro bono efforts of major law firms, in-house corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations in the U.S. and around the world
PBI has released its 2025 Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® Report based on 2024 data from reporting law firm Challenge signatories. The 2025 Challenge Report comes amid the 30th anniversary of the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge initiative, and at a time when law firm pro bono faces unique challenges.
There are some positive indicators that certain pro bono metrics may trend back up, emerging from their post-pandemic lows in 2021. The 2024 data reflects a modest 1.6% increase in pro bono hours from 2023, up from 54.7 hours in 2023 to 55.6 hours, with six fewer firms reporting. In 2024, 114 reporting firms contributed about 4.93 million hours of pro bono service. This represents a stronger performance, on average, compared to pro bono hours in 2023 when 120 firms reported about 5.1 million hours. However, other key metrics have remained stable or have slightly declined.
June 18, 2025
Kramer Levin’s commitment to justice is powerfully exemplified in its pro bono work to overturn the wrongful conviction of Anthony Hall, who spent 26 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Through relentless legal advocacy, strategic litigation, and an impactful partnership with Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, the firm fought to expose critical flaws in the case – from unreliable eyewitness testimony to systemic issues within the criminal justice system. Their unwavering dedication not only helped secure Hall’s freedom but also underscored the transformative power of pro bono work in changing lives and addressing injustice.
Hear more about this inspiring work from David Alexander, Litigation Associate at Kramer Levin, in this Signatory Showcase episode of the Pro Bono Happy Hour podcast.
March 25, 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been championed for its potential to enhance pro bono legal services and help close the justice gap. In February, PBI hosted programming on AI + Pro Bono at its Annual Conference, bringing together pro bono leaders from law firms, in-house legal departments, and public interest organizations to explore the use of AI in legal practice and identify opportunities to enhance efficiencies for pro bono and access to justice. Learn more about this initiative and its impact.
May 16, 2025
PBI is a catalyst, administering projects that support, guide, and inspire legal institutions to enhance access to justice. PBI selects and operates projects that, working in concert, promote synergies and inform and strengthen each other.
In cooperation with PLI, which provides accreditation services and learning opportunities around the world, PBI offers programming helpful to firms, in-house legal departments, and public interest organizations. These programs, which generally offer CLE credits, focus on topics ranging from reprising sessions from PBI’s most recent Annual Conference to current and evolving issues in pro bono.
In Memoriam
James W. Jones IV
February 28, 1945 – December 11, 2024
Chair Emeritus, PBI Board of Directors
Learn more about Jim Jones:
President’s Awardee Profile
President’s Award tribute video
Obituary
