How do I balance showing my passion for pro bono with proving I’m still a profitable investment? Over the past two years, I’ve logged an incredible amount of pro bono hours representing asylum seekers, even winning a major case in federal court. I’m looking to transition to a firm that actually values public service, but I don’t want to look like someone who prioritizes free work over the firm's bottom line.

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Sounds like you’d be happiest at a nonprofit. At a firm you have to hit your billable hour expectation and then do the pro bono on top of that.

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Good for you. There are also firms/boutiques that do both private sector and civil rights work, like prisoners’ rights cases. Search phrases like “plaintiff’s civil rights firm” or check Lexis/Westlaw for who brings Section 1983 or Bivens claims in your jurisdiction.

In Big Law, you can spin the pro bono work as “skills building.” A federal court win enhances your overall resume, no matter the client.

If you definitely plan to become partner in Big Law, the usual advice is to cap the pro bono work. But most people don’t plan on this, so I say do what’s necessary for your pro bono cases and find another long-term employer who will support this work.

Well said.

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