Is large-firm pro bono work subject to the “undertaker effect”–that is, when billable matters suffer in tough economic times, do pro bono programs benefit? That is one of the questions we hoped to answer in our recent survey of pro bono counsel in large law firms.
We were also interested in the broader challenges confronting firms committed to public service. How were their pro bono programs faring in this financial climate, how were they evaluating effectiveness, and what were the effects of encouraging deferred associates to work for nonprofit legal organizations? What deeper lessons could be drawn from the downturn?
