Anastasija Mladenovska
June 23th, 10:30am, 2024
As an avid fan of Suits, my understanding of pro bono work was shaped by dramatized TV
portrayals. Before interning with the Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project, I believed pro bono cases were always grand, headline-worthy stories of attorneys aiding underprivileged clients. This misconception overlooked the everyday significance of pro bono work and the diverse attorneys involved, often impacting those in greatest need through small yet significant contributions. A phrase often heard uttered around the office is: “15 minutes of quality legal advice can change people’s lives!”
Having now experienced pro bono management firsthand, I want to highlight why law firms
should encourage pro bono service by all their legal staff, especially young lawyers.
First, as Associate U.S Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor once said: "We educated, privileged lawyers have a professional and moral duty to represent the underrepresented in our society, to ensure that justice exists for all, both legal and economic justice."
Pro bono work in the nonprofit sector is a cornerstone of American society, contributing significantly to the economy and employing more people than the for-profit sector.
While individual attorneys taking on pro bono cases is admirable, such efforts can be costly,
time-consuming, and lack the protective resources available at an organizational level.
Organizations like GDVLP act as liaisons between attorneys and community members, offering structured, impactful service opportunities.
Here are five reasons why pro bono work benefits young attorneys:
● Exposure to Diverse Areas of Law. Pro bono opportunities help young lawyers gain
experience with various areas of the law, both in and out of the courtroom. Organizations
like GDVLP assign cases to attorneys based on fit, and sometimes attorneys bring clients
to us. These civil cases often require critical thinking and allow young lawyers to
demonstrate empathy, compassion, and familiarity with resources in action.
● Coordinated Efforts Yielding Significant Impact. The good news about doing pro
bono work in conjunction with a recognized pro bono provider is that the only thing a
young attorney needs to do is show up for their appointment or hearing. All the
paperwork and scheduling is handled by the staff. Malpractice insurance is provided by
the organization. What’s more, GDVLP assists in many areas of law so you can choose to
only help with simple, discreet counsel and advice sessions, take on full representation in
a simple action like an uncontested divorce, or wade into slightly more complicated cases
that are expected to have a turnaround time of about a couple of months to a year.
● Building Community and Reputation. A law firm with a strong pro bono record
connects with the community and gives back, establishing a positive reputation. A 2019
Glassdoor Survey revealed that 56% of workers prioritize good workplace culture over
salary for job satisfaction. Pro bono work fosters a sense of community, attracts potential
recruits, and builds relationships with the nonprofit sector.
● Client Interactions. Pro bono work provides opportunities for client consultations, an
experience many young lawyers in corporate settings may lack. These interactions offer a
window into the world of the marginalized, allowing attorneys to directly confront their
privilege and potentially experience life-changing moments.
● Earning CLE Credits. In Ohio, 6 hours of pro bono work equates to 1 hour of CLE,
with attorneys able to earn up to 6 CLE hours per reporting period. CLE courses can be
costly. Volunteering both reduces firm costs for these credits and also provides
meaningful assistance to those in need.
Beyond the practical benefits, pro bono work fosters personal growth and professional
development. Pro bono work can lead to unexpected opportunities - networking within the
nonprofit sector can open doors to new career paths and collaborations. Young lawyers who engage in pro bono work often find themselves part of a supportive community of like-minded professionals dedicated to social justice.
As a law firm, you can integrate pro bono work into your firm's culture by promoting pro bono opportunities, providing training, support and mentorship programs, recognizing and rewarding participation and fostering a pro bono culture.
If you are in the Dayton area, I strongly encourage you to connect your young attorneys with our organization. This will provide them with invaluable exposure to the impactful world of pro bono work.
As outlined, I urge all law firms to advocate for pro bono service among their legal teams,
especially new recruits. Doing so not only fulfills ethical responsibilities but also strengthens our community and the legal profession.
Anastasija Mladenovska is a current legal intern at GDVLP and a rising political science, accountancy, and Russian, East European & Eurasian studies triple major at Miami University. She is passionate about helping and educating communities and wants to go into the legal field one day.
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