The pro bono participation rate for U.S. attorneys in the Pro Bono Institute’s annual Corporate Pro Bono Challenge experienced a decline to 46% in 2024. Similarly, participation among legal staff dropped to 31%, both figures falling short of the institute’s 50% “aspirational goal.” Although the overall figure indicates reduced engagement, the report highlights that numerous legal departments have sustained or even increased their pro bono contributions.
According to Alyssa Saunders, director of Corporate Pro Bono, thousands of in-house lawyers and staff continue to provide essential legal services pro bono. The report notes that factors such as changes in legal department staffing and company mergers have influenced participation levels. Despite varied participation rates, the ongoing adoption of the CPBO Challenge suggests a growing commitment to pro bono efforts among legal departments.