Pro Bono Counsel? Forum

[MeanieTeanie]

Does anyone know what the day-to-day/quality of life is for pro bono counsel at big law firms? Wondering if this is a way to do meaningful work for better pay and better QOL, or if it’s actually worse than just being an associate.

[lstdnt]

I’ve heard it’s REALLY tough to get this position because turnover is very low due to the QofL.

[Barrred]

My understanding is that to get one of these positions you typically have to be a rock-star mid-level-to-senior litigation associate at the firm already. Such associates end up taking these positions for QoL increases at the same time their peers go in-house/to government/to smaller firms for similar QoL reasons.

[12YrsAnAssociate]

This has to be the ultimate unicorn job. I know these jobs exist because I know some pro bono partners/counsel at big firms, but I still can't believe all the cut-throat partners are on board with paying big salaries to lawyers that generate zero revenue. Like I've seen partners act openly hostile when an associate does over 100 hours of pro bono because they think that's time that can be spent making the firm money. I've even seen partners act hostile when an associate spends lots of time on a matter where the effective billable rate is low. It seems to me that pro bono partner/counsel is many multiples of the same thing.

[Anonymous User]

This has to be the ultimate unicorn job. I know these jobs exist because I know some pro bono partners/counsel at big firms, but I still can't believe all the cut-throat partners are on board with paying big salaries to lawyers that generate zero revenue. Like I've seen partners act openly hostile when an associate does over 100 hours of pro bono because they think that's time that can be spent making the firm money. I've even seen partners act hostile when an associate spends lots of time on a matter where the effective billable rate is low. It seems to me that pro bono partner/counsel is many multiples of the same thing.

Name and shame the firm with this shitty of a culture

[12YrsAnAssociate]

Name and shame the firm with this shitty of a culture

Na. I would except I really think it's all of them. It's all of them I've worked for. Maybe they won't come out and say it, and maybe it's not every partner, but without a doubt some think associates should be making the firm money.

[jotarokujo]

This has to be the ultimate unicorn job. I know these jobs exist because I know some pro bono partners/counsel at big firms, but I still can't believe all the cut-throat partners are on board with paying big salaries to lawyers that generate zero revenue. Like I've seen partners act openly hostile when an associate does over 100 hours of pro bono because they think that's time that can be spent making the firm money. I've even seen partners act hostile when an associate spends lots of time on a matter where the effective billable rate is low. It seems to me that pro bono partner/counsel is many multiples of the same thing.

what's "market" is that firms have to do some pro bono to not look shitty. so these pro bono counsel are still doing "necessary" work in that sense even if they aren't generating revenue