Pro Bono
Legal services provided by a lawyer for free, typically to people who cannot afford to pay for representation.
Pro bono is short for the Latin phrase “pro bono publico,” meaning “for the public good.” When a lawyer takes a case pro bono, they provide their services for free. Pro bono work is different from a public defender – public defenders are government-employed lawyers assigned to criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney. Pro bono lawyers are private attorneys who volunteer their time, often through legal aid organizations or bar association programs.
In Minnesota, lawyers are encouraged (but not required) to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono service each year. Many law firms, nonprofit organizations, and the Minnesota State Bar Association coordinate pro bono programs that connect people in need with volunteer attorneys. Pro bono help may be available for family law, housing, immigration, and other civil legal matters.
Why it matters: Hiring a lawyer can be expensive, and many people cannot afford one. Pro bono services fill an important gap, especially in civil cases where there is no right to a free court-appointed attorney. If you need legal help but cannot pay, contacting a legal aid organization or your county’s self-help center is a good first step.
Example: A low-income tenant facing eviction contacts a local legal aid office. A volunteer attorney agrees to take the case pro bono, representing the tenant at the eviction hearing at no charge.
Legal aid referrals, court self-help centers, bar association programs, and nonprofit legal organizations