1 in 5 lawyers has never done this

Are you doing good? If so, Celebrate Pro Bono Month is a good time to let everyone know. We’ve got some suggestions on how to tactfully do so in this week’s marketing section. If you’re not sure, maybe it’s time to formalize your firm’s pro bono program. We’ve also got the scoop on how AI is being used to close the access to justice gap, and a podcast that will keep you in the loop on what various firms and organizations are doing to lend a hand in communities across the country.

But first, we want to hear from anyone who has had as strange a pro bono experience as Mycal Latravious Dédé III aka @cantguardmyke. You’ve probably seen clips of his law-inspired stand-up routine floating around online.

Too bad we already took out all those loans.
Apparently stripping the ABA of its power to accredit law schools will make becoming a lawyer cheaper. The Facebook comments on this story include some very creative conspiracy theories.

The call is coming from inside the house.
Tech giants warn judges will soon have a hard time distinguishing AI-created “evidence” from the real thing. Meanwhile, in Florida, a judge has been suspended for promoting a deepfake call as evidence; the state courts have an “image crisis.”

Proof the economy is weak.
The Law School Admission Council says applications are up 14.6% year over year.

Speaking of proof…
SCOTUS just agreed to hear a case challenging a 150-year-old ban on home distilling. And that’s not the only alcohol-related case the high court has on tap this session. It will also decide if a plane can be seized because someone hid a case of beer on it.

“Mmmm... forbidden donut.”
The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror XXXVII will air this Sunday, but before it does, we’re throwing it back to 1993’s Treehouse of Horror IV and its homage to the classic “The Devil and Daniel Webster.” In it, Homer sells his soul for a donut, and his only hope is attorney Lionel Hutz!

Your billable hours are too valuable to spend untangling payroll rules in another country. If your firm employs support staff abroad, Remote runs their payroll for you:

Get back to your caseload.

Eleven states have mandatory pro bono reporting (California joined the club this year), and 26 others encourage it. Whether you are in one of these states or not, ABA Model Rule 6.1 says every lawyer should aim for at least 50 hours of pro bono service a year (with the comments saying firms should act reasonably to enable and encourage every lawyer to do this work). 

But keeping track of your (and your firm’s) pro bono work isn’t something that happens on its own. This guide walks you through how to formalize a firm-wide pro bono program, track your work and evaluate your efforts.

Why this matters: Clients, recruits and lateral candidates increasingly ask what your firm does beyond billing. A written program gives you a real answer and permits your lawyers to do the work. (PLInet and The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice)

The Legal Services Corporation’s most recent Justice Gap study found that low-income Americans get no or not enough help for 92% of their legal problems. Even if every lawyer in the country upped their pro bono commitment, a gap that size isn’t closing. So, some legal aid providers have started leaning on AI to meet demand:

Harvey has also taken note of the justice gap and introduced a pro bono program focused on “high-volume” casework. Right now it is running tests with a number of BigLaw firms.

Why this matters: It’s worth studying whether these or similar efforts can help close the access to justice gap. 

If you’re trying to figure out where you and your firm can have an impact, give Talk Justice, from the Legal Services Corporation, a listen. LSC funds legal aid organizations nationwide, so the show sees the justice gap clearly, and with over 100 episodes in the archive, you can find one on almost any practice area. For example, one recent episode brought together legal aid leaders from Florida, Massachusetts and Michigan to discuss the surge in consumer cases, which rose almost 14% across LSC-funded organizations from 2024 to 2025. 

Why this matters: The best pro bono programs follow the need. Talk Justice tells you where the need is growing, straight from the people triaging it. (Talk Justice)

It’s time to talk about your pro bono work. Although it may feel like giving yourself a high five, the point isn’t to brag. Talking about pro bono increases its visibility. It shows people in need that help exists, and increases the legal industry’s appetite for similar opportunities.

Start with your firm’s own website and social media properties. Talk about the problem you are solving, and shout out any partner organizations that made your contribution to the solution possible. Don’t be shy about taking this to the next level and sharing your story in your bar association’s pro bono newsletter, shooting out a press release or even nominating your team for a pro bono award. 

Here are a few examples of firms that are tastefully promoting their pro bono work:

Why this matters: Visibility drives participation. Lawyers who hit the ABA’s 50-hour goal are significantly more likely to say their employer encourages pro bono, yet 1 in 5 attorneys has never done any. Every story you tell makes pro bono seem more attractive to practitioners, and may point one more person toward free help.

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Raise the Bar is written and curated by Emily Kelchen and edited by Bianca Prieto.