Chief Justice Debra Todd has published her yearly open letter to Pennsylvania attorneys honoring the 2024 National Celebration of Pro Bono and encouraging support of pro bono legal work across the Commonwealth.
First instituted under the sponsorship of the American Bar Association by Philadelphia lawyer Sharon Browning, the annual observance “draw[s] attention to the need for pro bono participation [and thanks] those who give their time year-round”. This year’s celebration, held throughout the week of October 20th-26th, highlighted the persistent need for pro bono legal services in our unique and diverse local communities through its theme of “Making Justice a Reality in Our Communities”.
In her letter, Chief Justice Todd reminds all members of PA’s legal community of their “professional responsibility” and “ethical commitment” to perform pro bono service under Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1:
A lawyer should render public interest legal service. A lawyer may discharge this responsibility by providing professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations, by service in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession, and by financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.
Read Chief Justice Todd’s full letter here.