Question for the bowl: I am a corporate associate and i’m not busy at all. Literally havent been staffed in two months. I want to do more pro bono work.

Is it common practice for associates to have to wait on the firm to send pro bono opportunities or is it common for associates to go out on their own by reaching out to outside organizations for opportunities?

If so, are there any organizations that anyone could recommend?

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Depends on how your firm is set up. If there is a pro bono attorney in the firm, go to them. Do not take on so much pro bono that you don’t have time for billable work when it comes back.

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Thank you for advice

I’m a corporate attorney and do probably 150+ hours per year of pro bono. We have a PB attorney, but honestly a lot of it has to be self driven. Here are some opportunities that I’ve had the chance to do:

- run a few dozen small business matters (e.g., helping a small business with a lease, formation of an LLC, etc.). Your city likely has a small business legal clinic, or a local law school might.

- go to veteran legal clinic to help them with VA benefits, wills, etc.

- some basic refugee work.

- I’m basically outside general counsel to a few small charities in my city and just help them with whatever items come down the pike. For example, I just looked over a contract for a new roof for a school in my area.

Is 150 a lot? I’m over 350 this year…

Ha, no it’s not. Can always do more. Providing context

This is totally firm dependent

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