How Does Pro Bono Work Impact Global Law Firms? (A Comprehensive Analysis)

WHAT DOES PRO BONO WORK ENTAIL? AND WHICH FIRMS DO IT?

• Pretty much every firm does some sort of pro bono work. It is the area in which the work is carried out that differs. Due to expertise or preference. 

• Common area of pro bono:

  • Human rights

  • Rule of law

  • Access to justice 

  • Employment 

• Some pro bono work extends to foreign countries e.g., Kenya, Rwanda.

• Notable global law firms:

  • Kirkland & Ellis

  • Clifford Chance

  • Baker McKenzie

  • White & Case

  • Dechert

  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer 

    
    

AN OVERVIEW - WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF PRO BONO WORK ON A GLOBAL LAW FIRM? (NEXT SLIDE IF POSSIBLE) 

• It exposes lawyers to more practice areas in jurisdictions, improving their expertise and overall quality of work during billable hours.

• While fostering a stronger internal culture, offices around the world collaborate towards a charitable goal. 

CASE STUDY - CLIFFORD CHANCE’S CORNERSTONE INITIATIVE

• A pro bono project launched by Clifford Chance (CC) in 2019, it aims to improve wellbeing in the poorest communities in the capital of Rwanda.

• CC partnered with 10 NGOs, aiming to provide mental health support to genocide survivors while educating young adults about employment and STEM. 

• CC also provided free legal advice to those who needed it. 

  
  

WHY IS THIS USEFUL?

• Knowing how pro bono work impacts a firm can allow you to correctly assess a firm when choosing which one to apply to, to see if it aligns with your values.

• It can also be useful in any assessment centre exercises if you are asked about the impact of pro bono work on the firm.

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PESTLE Analysis

Political

Pro bono work has a polarised effect politically. As we have mentioned in Volume 1, on firms pledging pro bono work for the Trump administration, it could be used to achieve political ends. It is also a strong indicator of the law firm’s political stance, which will have an impact on its clients and the lawyers within. 

After that less ideal side of pro bono work, we can see it as a catalyst for the government to achieve its goals. For instance, access to justice, equality, or upholding the rule of law. If the law firm operates globally, it can also foster a stronger international relationship between governments.

Economical

Pro bono work is costly in the short term, but is rewarding in the long run. 

It increases the opportunity cost of the law firm. Opportunity cost, in this context, is the value of the best alternative use of resources (time, lawyers, expertise) that are used for pro bono work instead of billable client work. That will lead to a reduction of revenue while increasing costs. 

However, pro bono work would increase a firm’s profit in the long run in two main ways. 

Returning to the case study of Clifford Chance, by helping to establish businesses in Rwanda’s capital, in ways of education or providing legal advice, it attracts local companies. That will increase their customer base and lead to higher revenue. As CC’s reputation grows in Rwanda, TNCs (transnational corporations) are more likely to choose CC as their legal adviser, bringing them more revenue, thereby increasing their profit. 

Another way in which a firm’s profit might increase in the long run is that it attracts more talent as it shows that they do not merely fixate on profit. It increases the human capital, i.e. the value employees bring to a company, which translates to productivity or profitability. Therefore productivity and hence revenue increase, bringing in more profit. 

Social

Firstly, and most importantly, it improves the living conditions in the targeted area. In CC’s case, it improves the literacy and productivity of the town, bringing in more demand and supply. This increases the economic status of the town. 

For a global law firm, pro bono work might bring different branches and departments together. Alongside working together towards a commendable goal, it fosters the internal culture within the firm. 

Technological

There might be regulations in foreign countries prohibiting the use of technology legally, but it varies. 

Some firms might conduct pro bono work for start-up tech companies, which can boost the growth of those companies as they can spend less on legal advice. In addition, tech-savvy firms like Bird & Bird can provide invaluable legal advice as they are tech experts.

Legal

Again, it varies by country; some law firms might be legally required to conduct pro bono work in certain jurisdictions.

Aside from that, firms must avoid a clash of interests, especially when pro bono work intersects with corporate interests.

Environmental

Firms can conduct pro bono work for environmental organisations e.g., a lawsuit between Greenpeace and an oil company, contributing positively to the environment by supporting these organisations.