DC Bar Pro Bono Initiative Report

Download the 2022 Report

About the Pro Bono Initiative

The D.C. Bar established the Pro Bono Initiative in 2001 with the Chief Judges of the District’s courts to encourage the largest local law firm offices to increase pro bono legal services. The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center administers the Initiative through an annual survey to signatory firms. In joining the initiative, firms agree to:

1. Set a minimum pro bono goal of either 3% or 5% of billable hours (or 60 hours or 100 hours per attorney) for the firm’s D.C. office;
2. Use management techniques to attain or exceed its goals;
3. Undertake new or increased pro bono activities; and
4. Report its progress annually to the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center.

These standards were created by, and are used with permission from, the Pro Bono Institute and are modeled on the Institute's Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge®.

2023 Pro Bono Initiative Survey Key Findings

47 firms responded

702,733 total pro bono hours

On average, 4.5% of participating firms’ billable hours were dedicated to pro bono work

Participants’ D.C. offices have:

• 3,363 partners
  • 2,388 participated in pro bono work
• 3,848 associates
  • 3,718 participated in pro bono work
• 1,200 of counsel
  • 951 participated in pro bono work