One Response to “What motivates lawyers to do pro bono work and should it become mandatory?”

1. Che? O . . . . on May 11th, 2010 2:40 pm
   

   Many lawyers have a keen sense of social justice. This leads them to want to give back to the most vulnerable members of society who cannot defend themselves without help. Some of the greatest professional satisfaction comes from helping someone who would have been taken advantage of without assistance. Many large firms now use a commitment to pro bono work as a recruiting point for getting the most talented young attorneys coming out of law school.

   There is already a goal for every California attorney to do 40 hours of pro bono work per year. Many attorneys take that goal very seriously and meet or surpass it. I personally do not believe that making pro bono mandatory would be helpful because an attorney who does not believe in what she is doing–and does not want to do it–will not do good work.

   If anything, the members of the legal community, attorneys and students, should be more open about their pro bono experiences and encourage others to enrich their own lives and the lives of the disadvantaged by doing pro bono work.

   The legal community and the public should also give more funding to legal aid organizations and clinics.

   At least that is one person’s opinion. Hope it helps!

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