This infographic from LLM Info highlights the top five corporate law firms for pro bono work, according to the AmLaw Pro Bono Rankings: Covington & Burling, Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, Debevoise & Plimpton, and Arnold & Porter. To learn more, check out http://llminfo.com/.

1. PRO
BONO
WHAT IS PRO BONO WORK?
Pro bono comes from the Latin phrase “pro bono publico,”
meaning “for the public good.”
In the legal context, it Charity work done by
generally means the
those with a
provision of legal
particular expertise,
services on a free or
on behalf of those
significantly reduced who cannot afford to
fee basis.
help themselves.
A gift and an ethical
obligation.
The legal community
in the United States
has participated in
pro bono work since
before the
Revolution.
WHAT IS THE PRO BONO
CHALLENGE?
The challenge is a commitment by the world's largest law firms
to provide pro bono legal service to disadvantaged people and
nonprofit groups.
$
TOP 5
PRO BONO ALL-STARS:
According to the AmLaw 100 Pro Bono rankings:
1. Covington & Burling
30,633
Total pro bono
hours by U.S.
lawyers.
Yes No
Yes No
192
Number of lawyers
with more than 20
pro bono hours.
65.9
Percentage of
lawyers with more
than 20 pro bono
hours.
105.2
Average pro bono
hours per lawyer.
Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge?
Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm?
Designations:
Designated as a Pro Bono Firm of the Year in both 2010 and 2012 for
its dedication to pro bono service by Law360.
Covington & Burling earned the Champion of Justice Award in 2012
from the Chinese American Citizens Alliance for pushing along
legislation that addressed regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
and other oppressive laws restricting the immigration of
Chinese people.
2. Jenner & Block
39,624
Total pro bono
hours by U.S.
lawyers.
Yes No
Yes No
243
Number of lawyers
with more than 20
pro bono hours.
64.5
Percentage of
lawyers with more
than 20 pro bono
hours.
105.1
Average pro bono
hours per lawyer.
Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge?
Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm?
Designations:
No. 1 law firm in the country for pro bono service in 2012, 2010,
2009, 2008 and 1998 by The American Lawyer magazine.
Pro Bono Firm of 2012, 2011 and 2010 by Law360 for its “devotion to
pro bono work in tough times.”
NOTABLE CASE
People v. Juan A. Rivera, Jr.: Helped to overturn a conviction in the long-running and
high-profile criminal defense case in Lake County, Illinois. Mr. Rivera, the client, was
released after serving 19 years in prison after a three-judge panel unanimously reversed
his first-degree murder conviction, holding that “the State’s evidence was insufficient to
establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Subsequently, the Lake County State’s
Attorney did not appeal and the client was released.
3. Wilmer Cutler Pickering
Hale and Dorr LLP (known as WilmerHale)
23,702
Total pro bono
hours by U.S.
lawyers.
Yes No
Yes No
161
Number of lawyers
with more than 20
pro bono hours.
67.4
Percentage of
lawyers with more
than 20 pro bono
hours.
99.2
Average pro bono
hours per lawyer.
Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge?
Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm?
Designations:
Law360 named WilmerHale one of its Pro Bono Firms of the Year
for the firm’s work on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) with the
Massachusetts Attorney General and its work in advancing the Kate
Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011.
2011 Beacon of Justice Award from the National Legal Aid and
Devender Association (NLADA) for “innovative public-private
partnerships that protect equal justice for all through Appellate
Litigation.”
4. Debevoise & Plimpton
33,460
Total pro bono
hours by U.S.
lawyers.
Yes No
Yes No
189
Number of lawyers
with more than 20
pro bono hours.
52
Percentage of
lawyers with more
than 20 pro bono
hours.
93.5
Average pro bono
hours per lawyer.
Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge?
Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm?
Designations:
Ranked among the top ten firms on The American Lawyer’s A-List
every year since the list’s inception for its commitment to pro bono
work.
Pro Bono Firm of 2012 by Law360 for committing a significant
number of attorney hours and securing major victories in high-profile
matters.
NOTABLE CASE
Teaming up with Sanctuary for Families, the firm was successful in reuniting a mother
and her 2-year-old son after her husband took him to live with family abroad in an
attempt to permanently separate them. The firm continues to represent the mother, a
legal immigrant, in her divorce and immigration cases.
5. Arnold & Porter
39,373
Total pro bono
hours by U.S.
lawyers.
Yes No
Yes No
221
Number of lawyers
with more than 20
pro bono hours.
51.7
Percentage of
lawyers with more
than 20 pro bono
hours.
92
Average pro bono
hours per lawyer.
Does the firm participate in the Pro Bono Challenge?
Is there a pro bono requirement at the firm?
15% of the firm’s time is spent on pro bono matters and at least one pro
bono matter each year.
Designations:
ABA Death Penalty Representation Project Exceptional Service
Award.
National Legal Aid & Defender Association Beacon of Justice
Award in recognition of Innovative Public-Private Partnerships.
NOTABLE CASE
In an emergency appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme court, the firm fully briefed,
argued and obtained a unanimous reversal on a new Photo ID law adopted in March 2012
by Pennsylvania. The law threatened to prevent approximately 1.3 million qualified
voters from having their votes counted in the November 2012 elections because they
lacked one of a few acceptable photo IDs under the new law and could not obtain one
without substantial burdens. The firm obtained an order preventing Pennsylvania from
denying the right to vote in the November 2012 elections and continues to fight to protect
all people’s right to vote.
≈ 20 lawyers
≈ 10 hours
≈ 4,000 hours
SOURCES
http:/
/www.nationalprobono.org.au/page.asp?from=3&id=189
http:/
/www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/08/in-defense-of-pro-bono-legal-service-whatever-form-it-takes/261465/
http:/
/www.probono.net/
http:/
/www.probonoinst.org/projects/law-firm-pro-bono/law-firm-pro-bono-challenge/
http:/
/www.law.com/special/professionals/amlaw/amlaw100/amlaw100_pro-bono.html
http:/
/www.vault.com/product.aspx?isbn=9781581318920 Vault Guide to Law Firm Pro Bono Programs, 2013 Edition
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