Questions about pro bono cases at law firms Forum

[PLATONiC]

Several questions about pro bono cases as a law firm associate. I'd be glad to receive answers to any of the following in conjunction with any other comments relevant to trial experience for a litigation attorney wannabe.

1. How time consuming can these be?
2. Are pro bono cases pretty much the only opportunities that a junior associate has in getting actual court-room experience? Let's say that this junior associate works in the litigation department of a large law firm. How insightful can pro bono courtroom experience be for polishing ones skill at litigating high-stakes cases?
3. I noticed that certain firms allow up to 200 hours in pro bono practices to be counted towards billable hours. How likely is it that an associate will be able to fill in 200 hours worth of pro bono services? I'm guessing that partners will assign certain cases to an associate, and if the associate is caught up working for free for the "public good," then things might not look as pretty. But I do not know, of course, since I'm a 0L. Can someone please shed some light on how a biglaw firm associate allocates his time between actual practice and pro bono (preferrably in a way that could accomodate as much time for getting courtroom experience through pro bono litigation projects)?

Thank you so much:D

[PLATONiC]

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