The attorney reflects that one of the most rewarding aspects of working at a Biglaw firm was the consistent access to pro bono opportunities. Large firms often maintain formal partnerships with nonprofit legal organizations, enabling their lawyers to assist domestic violence survivors, represent minors in deportation proceedings, and handle a wide range of other public-interest matters. However, after transitioning to solo and small-firm practice, the attorney realized that participating in pro bono work at the same level can be far more challenging for lawyers outside the Biglaw environment.
For many small-firm practitioners, the primary barrier is time. Attorneys in smaller practices frequently juggle administrative duties, marketing efforts, and client communication—tasks that Biglaw lawyers can often delegate to support staff. Since a small-firm lawyer’s income is more directly tied to billable hours, any time spent on non-billable pro bono cases can reduce revenue. This financial trade-off makes it difficult for many small-firm lawyers to dedicate significant hours to unpaid legal services, even if they are personally committed to serving their communities.
By contrast, Biglaw attorneys are usually not paid strictly based on the number of billable hours they complete. Many large firms even make pro bono participation a requirement for associate bonuses, effectively rewarding public-interest work. Because these firms bring in substantial revenue from high-value clients, they have more financial flexibility to support attorneys who wish to devote time to non-billable matters.
Pro bono work is also more structurally valuable to Biglaw firms. Junior associates at large firms often have limited opportunities for hands-on experience because major clients typically prefer senior attorneys for critical hearings or court appearances. Pro bono cases provide a training ground where younger lawyers can argue motions, appear in court, and develop practical skills with less risk and oversight. Additionally, during slower workflow periods, pro bono assignments help Biglaw associates stay productive while gaining experience that benefits them later.
Large firms also benefit from the positive publicity that pro bono work generates. Publicizing community service efforts helps offset negative perceptions associated with representing controversial clients. Small firms, however, usually lack the marketing infrastructure to promote pro bono accomplishments, reducing the external incentive to engage in such work.
Ultimately, many small-firm attorneys are willing to take on pro bono matters, but misaligned incentives, time pressures, and financial realities make it more difficult to participate at the same level as Biglaw lawyers. Anyone passionate about public-interest work should recognize that engaging in pro bono practice often requires more intentional effort in a small-firm setting.