We spend a lot of time thinking, talking, and writing about why lawyers, law firms, and legal departments should do pro bono work.
Many of the benefits of pro bono work, both the easily measureable ones and those less quantifiable, support an unwavering business rationale for pro bono and for institutional engagement. It is critical that pro bono supporters persuasively identify the aspects of pro bono work that, when appropriately structured and woven into the fabric of the workplace, yield important institutional benefits for the law firm or legal department and its attorneys, in addition to the clients and communities being served. In today’s corporate world, it is not enough to simply believe in the perceived benefits of a pro bono program. Rather, it is increasingly imperative and valuable to be able to measure and to demonstrate how – and to what extent – these programs make a difference and have an impact.
To be able to better respond to inquiries about the impact of pro bono in the workplace, in addition to our ongoing metrics projects, we have assembled a new compilation of research studies that examine the effects that corporate volunteering has on, among other things, the “Three Rs” — recruitment, retention, and reputation. The compendium is a supplement to two of our hallmark publications: Making the Business Case for Pro Bono (2000) and Revisiting the Business Case for Law Firm Pro Bono (2010). All three publications are accessible at the Law Firm Pro Bono Project’s Resource Clearinghouse.
What impact has pro bono had on your workplace? Leave a comment and let us know.
Hat tip to PBI intern Marissa Cooper for her help with this post and the compendium.