By Daniela Aroche
The recent recession has seen a surge in pro-bono work, primarily due to many having more time to invest in it.
This is not only a good option for lawyers who have a bit of extra time on their hands in the wake of the credit crunch, but also it's also a great way to build on skills and expand the skill base.
"Not only is it important for society that lawyers engage in pro bono work in order to ensure that the under-privileged have access to justice – a basic human right – but it is also important for them as lawyers to make their training and experience available for the public good where they can," said Tim Soutar of the International Bar Association, Pro bono and Access to Justice Committee.
"Whilst the benefits to a fairer and more just society are self-evident, the benefits to lawyers of doing pro bono work include: the satisfaction of being able to 'make a difference' (a reward that cannot be measured in monetary terms); the ability to obtain a wider range of legal experience and skills; to meet the expectations of employers and clients; in some jurisdictions, to satisfy conditions attached to the renewal of practising certificates; to keep in touch with the 'real world'; and, for those who have retired from full-time practice, an opportunity to continue to make use of skills, avoid withdrawal symptoms and use time constructively."
According to Soutar, the awareness and participation in pro bono has also risen steadily in recent times, increasing the value for lawyers of having pro-bono work as part of their work experience.
"The IBA Pro bono and Access to Justice Committee (PB&A2J Committee) and others have conducted research into the impact of the global recession on pro bono provision and the results appear to demonstrate that pro bono provision has increased rather than decreased over the last 18 months," he said.
"This may be due in part to lawyers having more time on their hands as well as there being increased demand for pro bono services, but it is as likely to be the result of a growing awareness of the importance of pro bono. Whatever the reason, the facts seem to suggest it is widely regarded as a good option."
Soutar adds that whilst pro-bono can help lawyers keep their edge in a competitive job market, it could also open up a raft of new opportunities.
"For those made redundant, at the very least it fills what otherwise could be a hole in their CV, as well as 'keeping their hand in'," he said. "Similarly, for those who have a reduced work load, it provides an opportunity to fill the downtime with worthwhile work. But it may well also broaden areas of expertise and open up new practice areas that haven't previously been considered."
Besides the obvious positives of contributing to the community, pro-bono work can also be used as a tool for career development and can actually provide a serious advantage over other candidates when vying for a position/promotion.
"Pro bono work on a CV is an important way of distinguishing yourself from other candidates who don't have that experience," said Soutar.
"It sends out very positive signals about a person's character and about their 'passion' for the law as well as for pro bono. There are signs that we are moving to a stage where an absence of pro bono work on the CV will be seen as a distinct disadvantage by many employers and, certainly, those in the higher echelons of the profession. From a firm perspective, there is a growing trend, which the recession does not appear to have diminished significantly, for major corporate and institutional clients to require a demonstrable pro bono / CSR track record in order to pre-qualify for work."
Menachem Hasofer, partner and John Congdon, director of human resources at Mayer Brown JSM agree that pro-bono work is a positive investment for job seekers and add that the addition of pro-bono work on a CV is also well regarded by firms.
"Law graduates and lawyers who engage in pro bono work may gain useful hands-on experience and valuable skills development. Young lawyers are typically afforded greater autonomy in pro bono matters than commercial matters, and it thus gives lawyers an opportunity to develop critical lawyering skills earlier in their careers that are difficult to teach through training programs -- things like case management, strategising, problem solving, creative thinking, decision making, managing expectations, and client counselling. It can also allow these lawyers to gain experience specific to their practice.
"So pro-bono work on a CV is usually well regarded as it can indicate that a lawyer has greater versatility and a broader understanding of issues beyond their normal practice area. It can also indicate a lawyer's desire to contribute positively to the community in which they live, clearly matching the intentions of law firms to be good corporate citizens."
More on on pro-bono work:
* Lawyers/graduates can websites of NGOs and pro bono clearing houses e.g. http://www.pili-law.org/ and http://www.a4id.org/ ) for further information on how to get involved in pro-bono work
* The IBA pro bono web-site (www.internationalprobono.com) also aims to connect pro bono practitioners and encourage pro bono work by making available examples of best practice, articles by practitioners and links to other relevant sites, as well as through a recently introduced blog.
* Another good source for many lawyers will be their local Bar Association or Law Society, most of whom now have substantial pro bono support groups. The PB&A2J committee is always willing to put individuals in touch with local organisations.