Pro Bono Service Aspirational Standard
Pro bono publico or pro bono service includes all uncompensated services performed by lawyers for the public good. Such service includes civic, charitable and public service activities; as well as activities that improve the law, the legal system and the legal profession. The direct provision of legal services to the poor, without an expectation of compensation, is one type of pro bono service. Each lawyer in Oregon should endeavor annually to perform 80 hours of pro bono services. Of this total, the lawyer should endeavor to devote 20 to 40 hours or to handle two cases involving the direct provision of legal services to the poor, without an expectation of compensation. If a lawyer is unable to provide direct legal services to the poor, the lawyer should endeavor to make a comparable financial contribution to an organization that provides or coordinates the provision of direct legal services to the poor.