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Roy Ginsburg, [email protected]© 2007 Roy S. Ginsburg, J.D.
The Business Case for Pro Bono
The Business Case for Pro Bono
Pro BonoMakes Cents
Pro BonoMakes Cents
Roadmap
• The need• Economics of pro bono• What’s in it for me?• What’s in it for my law firm?• What’s in it for my profession?
What Pro Bono Means
• “For the public good”• Responsibility to ensure equal access to
justice for greater public good• Quid pro quo Society provides exclusive license Give back to society
The Need
• 80% of civil legal needs of low-income Americans go unmet.
• Many poor only have access if pro bono legal services are provided.
Rule 6.1 of the WI Rules of Professional Conduct
• “A lawyer should aspire to render at least (50) hours of pro bono publico legal services per year.”
How Do You Compare?
ABA Survey
80% perform• Private practice - 85%• Corporate - 65%
56.5 hours is the average 1/3 - 50+ hours
Pro Bono Service Feels Good
Why did you go to law school anyway?
• Make a difference • Personal gratification• Role model• Cheap insurance policy• More to life than billable hour• Grounds you
What Will Your Obituary Say?
Attorney Coach/Consultant. Business development consultant and career counselor to lawyers. Helped rich lawyers become even richer.
v.
Attorney Coach/Consultant. Management consultant to lawyers. Provided pro bono counsel to foster children for years.
It’s Not Just About Tenant Evictions or Divorce
• Non profits• Micro Enterprises• Impact Litigation• Human Rights• Military• Asylum
• Civil Rights• Child Advocacy• Environmental• Clinics• Death Penalty• Criminal/Prisoner
Rignts
Economics• Myth: Every pro bono hour is
a lost billable hour• Reality: Pro bono hours are
add-ons to normal billable work
• Firms committed to pro bono service remain profitable
Top 5 Firms Law Firm Profits/Partner
#1 Jenner/Block (87% - 175) $ 1,200,000#2 Arnold/Porter (94% - 140) $ 1,300,000#3 Wilmer (78% - 153) $ 1,500,000#4 Hughes/Hubbard (92% - 123) $ 1,900,000#5 Paul, Hastings (98% - 110) $ 2,200,000
#43 Foley (65% - 58) $ 960,000#83 Quarles (40% - 43) $ 455,000
What’s In It For Me?• Skill Enhancer
All types - new or old More autonomy Less stressful (at times) More diverse clientele and forum - expands
perspective Builds confidence
• Break from monotony• Free CLE
What’s In It For Me?
• Enhance Personal Reputation Become known within
• Firm• Bench• Profession• Community
What’s not to like about one who gives back?
What’s In It For Me?
• Enhance Personal Job Security/Opportunity
Expansion of personal network• Other firms• Clients - in-house opportunities• Outside the profession
What’s In It For Me?Client Development
New clients/referrals • Strategic - enlightened self-interest
Non-profit boards Cause supported by client
• Expertise/reputation in new field
Deepen existing relationships• Law firm/in-house/agency partnerships
What’s In It ForYour Firm?
• Enhance Firm Cohesiveness Increases morale/loyalty Builds new relationships Provides “natural” mentoring
opportunities Improves associate evaluation
process - more feedback, new oversight
What’s In It For Your Firm?
• Recruiting/Retention Attract/Retain
• Public-service oriented, value based culture• Those who recognize professional growth
opportunities• Want/need break from daily pressures/frustrations
Reduces turnover and accompanying costs Highest ranked firms by associates had direct
correlation to firm’s pro bono commitment
What’s In It For Your Firm?
Enhance Reputation
“It is no longer enough to measure business only by standards of profit, efficiency and market share. We must also ask how business contributes to standards of social justice.” - CEO, Timberland
What’s In It For Your Firm?
• Can tip the balance
• RFP’s• Quality lawyers are a dime a dozen• Clients want to be associated with
firms with character• Can be marketed tastefully
What’s In It For The Profession?
Confidence low, suspicion high System enables profession to be
powerful, wealthy and self-regulated Legitimacy dependent upon
meaningful participation Pro Bono service ensures meaningful
participation by all