Too much pro bono in Biglaw? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone ever had anything negative happen for doing too much pro bono?

I've done a lot this year, but it's never been during busy times and never interfered with my billable work. That said, I'll probably end the year with 220-250 pro bono hours. Again, I've never turned down billable work and have actually been constantly trying to seek it out from other offices/partners when my office has been slow. I just started taking on any pro bono matters that we received emails about whenever I had down time.

I'm a corporate first year.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone ever had anything negative happen for doing too much pro bono?

I've done a lot this year, but it's never been during busy times and never interfered with my billable work. That said, I'll probably end the year with 220-250 pro bono hours. Again, I've never turned down billable work and have actually been constantly trying to seek it out from other offices/partners when my office has been slow. I just started taking on any pro bono matters that we received emails about whenever I had down time.

I'm a corporate first year.

Will be firm specific, but can’t see the issue if you aren’t turning down work. As one anecdote, I did 250 or so last year (without which I wouldn’t have gotten a bonus) and will be a bit above that this year. Haven’t heard a peep negative about it.

[Anonymous User]

Doubt post.

[Anonymous User]

Not if you are not turning down work. I would watch out though, pro bono and billable work has a tendency to collide at the wrong times if you take on too much especially if you are known as the go to associate for a partner with a specific focus.

Anecdotally I've known associates at my firm who have essentially been full-time on pro bono litigations for several months with no ill effects.

[Anonymous User]

I think most firms are generally cool with that amount of pro bono in your first few years. I think that during the mid level years they want you billing more hours, but i’d youre willing to do say 2300 straight billable, no one will be mad if you do that much pro bono on top of those hours. Just depends if you’re willing to go above and beyond.

[QContinuum]

Firms that cap the number of pro bono hours that can be counted toward minimum billables often cap at 200. Given that, logging 220-250 doesn't seem to be grossly out of whack.