Pro Bono
2026 marked the 40th anniversary of Dorsey's formal pro bono program, though our commitment to this work predates that milestone. When Dorsey formalized the program in 1986, it stood among the earliest large law firms in the Midwest to do so, a decision rooted in the belief that a formal structure signaled real commitment to clients, communities, and colleagues.
The Firm carried that same commitment forward in 1993, becoming a charter signatory to the American Bar Association's Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge. That history has grown into a program spanning all of the Firm's offices, where attorneys and business professionals pursue the causes that matter most to them, from impact litigation that shapes law and policy to direct representation of individuals navigating housing, immigration, or benefits disputes. The result is a program defined less by any single practice area than by the range of communities it reaches and the consistency of our presence in them.
Dorsey treats pro bono work as core to how our attorneys develop, not as separate from it. Junior lawyers gain trial and client-facing experience early, senior attorneys mentor across office lines, and business professionals contribute alongside legal teams on matters that require more than legal skill alone. As community needs shift, so does the program, with new partnerships and projects added to meet gaps as they emerge. That adaptability, paired with a sustained commitment across offices and practice groups, is what allows our pro bono work to operate at both the systemic and individual level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of pro bono matters does the Firm handle?
Our pro bono work spans a wide range of matters, including civil rights, veterans' benefits, immigration, nonprofit counseling, criminal justice reform, religious liberty, housing, and access-to-justice initiatives. Through this work, we help individuals, families, nonprofits, and underserved communities address critical legal needs.
Who is eligible for pro bono assistance from the Firm?
Most pro bono matters come to Dorsey through referrals from legal services organizations, nonprofit partners, and community clinics. Partner organizations assess legal need and refer eligible matters to the Firm.
What organizations does the Firm partner with for pro bono work?
We partner with legal service organizations, bar association-sponsored programs, civil rights organizations, veterans' advocacy groups, and other public interest nonprofits. Representative partners include the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, ABA Free Legal Answers, the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, the National Veterans Legal Services Program, the ACLU, and the Korey Wise Innocence Project.
How many hours does the Firm dedicate to pro bono work annually?
Our attorneys and business professionals devoted more than 25,000 hours to pro bono service in 2025. We have met the ABA Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge every year since it began in 1993, reflecting our longstanding commitment to expanding access to justice.
Who can participate in the Firm's pro bono program?
Pro bono work is an important part of Dorsey’s culture. Attorneys contribute their time and skills to support individuals, nonprofits, and underserved communities.
Does the Firm give billable credit for pro bono work?
Yes. Associates may receive billable-hour credit for up to 100 hours of qualifying pro bono work each year.
Voices of Dorsey
Experience

High-Impact Litigation
Our attorneys litigate high-impact matters, including a Second Circuit win on federal drone strike disclosure and a Privy Council ruling securing a new trial for a Jamaican prisoner. We have represented death row inmates since the 1980s and partner with the ACLU and Innocence Project.

Legislative & Human Rights Advocacy
We extend our advocacy into legislative and human rights work, from Congressional testimony on behalf of imprisoned activists to drafting statutory amendments expanding expungement eligibility. Our attorneys also conduct research supporting white papers advocating for legal reforms addressing gender and human rights issues worldwide.

Nonprofit Counsel & Board Leadership
We advise hundreds of nonprofits, small businesses, and minority-owned businesses annually on formation, governance, regulatory compliance, real estate, employment, and trademark matters. More than 100 Dorsey attorneys also serve on nonprofit boards, strengthening community ties and surfacing new pro bono opportunities.

Community Partnerships
We staff the national Election Protection hotline with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and supports veterans' benefits appeals through partnerships with NVLSP and The Veterans Consortium. We also maintain long-standing relationships with Indian tribes and communities, handling land rights litigation, nonprofit formation, and child welfare hearings.

Community Legal Clinics
We staff and partner with community legal clinics across our offices, including the Legal Access Point in Minneapolis, the Eastwood Legal Clinic for Teen Parents, the Mi Casa Small Business Clinic in Denver, the Drake Legal Clinic in Des Moines, and the BYU Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic in Salt Lake City, serving individuals and small businesses alike.

Corporate Partnerships & Direct Representation
Dorsey partners with corporate attorneys like UnitedHealth Group, U.S. Bank, and Xcel Energy to staff clinics addressing nonprofit small business needs, senior wills, housing issues, and record expungement. The Firm also handles individual matters referred through clinics, including evictions, child support disputes, and immigration claims.
