pro bono

adjective

ˌprō-ˈbō-(ˌ)nō 

: being, involving, or doing professional and especially legal work donated especially for the public good

pro bono work

pro bono adverb

Did you know?

In Latin, pro bono publico means "for the public good;" in English we generally shorten the phrase to pro bono. Donating free legal help to those who need it has long been a practice of American law firms; the American Bar Association actually recommends that all lawyers donate 50 hours a year. Pro bono work is sometimes donated by nonlegal firms as well. For example, an advertising firm might produce a 60-second video for an environmental or educational organization, or a strategic-planning firm might prepare a start-up plan for a charity that funds shelters for battered women.

Examples of pro bono in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Without lawyers, people on release have a range of possible options to get help handling their cases, though most pro bono legal aid is geared toward people held in custody while their cases advance. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

These leaders all work pro bono. —Desiree Mathurin april 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026

In turn, Paul Weiss agreed to stop DEI practices and dedicated $40 million in pro bono legal causes identified by the administration. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Another is development of low-cost or pro bono legal services for cases that have merit. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin pro bono publico for the public good

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pro bono

• kono
• mono
• ono
• phono

Legal Definition

pro bono

adverb or adjective

ˌprō-ˈbō-nō

: being, involving, or doing legal work donated especially for the public good

Etymology

Latin pro bono publico for the public good