Beyond Billable Hours: The Value of Pro Bono

Last year, Sidley lawyers contributed over 160,000 hours of pro bono work firmwide, averaging approximately 70 hours per lawyer. This is a remarkable achievement and a tangible demonstration of our collective commitment to making a positive difference in society. It is something of which we should all be proud.

At Sidley, we have the opportunity to contribute to a diverse range of pro bono initiatives, from citizenship projects and volunteering with organisations such as Not Beyond Redemption and the Royal British Legion, to supporting emerging enterprises as they navigate complex legal challenges. Although these initiatives differ considerably in scope, they share a common purpose: using our legal skills to make a meaningful difference to those who need them.

Why do we do pro bono?

With demanding workloads and significant billable hour targets, it is reasonable to ask why lawyers should devote their already limited time to work for which they receive no fees.

The answer begins with the privileged position we occupy as members of the legal profession. Through our education, training and experience, we have developed specialist knowledge and skills that can make a profound difference to people's lives. With that privilege comes an opportunity, and arguably a responsibility, to use those skills to help others, particularly those who might otherwise struggle to access legal assistance.

But the value of pro bono extends beyond the benefits to those we assist. It also presents an exceptional opportunity for personal and professional development, particularly for lawyers in the early stages of their careers.

Becoming a better lawyer through pro bono

One of the greatest benefits of pro bono work is the opportunity to take on responsibility at an early stage. Trainees and junior associates may find themselves managing client relationships, coordinating matters and taking the lead on substantive work, always with appropriate supervision. These experiences can accelerate the development of skills that might otherwise take years to acquire.

Pro bono also encourages us to venture beyond the boundaries of our usual practice areas. A transactional finance lawyer, for example, may find themselves assisting on a contentious matter, developing advocacy skills or grappling with unfamiliar legal issues. Such experiences challenge us to approach problems from different perspectives, broaden our legal knowledge and develop the judgment needed to become more versatile, commercially astute and well-rounded lawyers.

Equally valuable are the relationships formed along the way. Pro bono matters frequently bring together lawyers from different practice groups who might not otherwise have the opportunity to work alongside one another. These connections can develop into lasting professional relationships, creating networks of trusted colleagues whose experience and perspectives prove invaluable throughout our careers.

Perhaps most importantly, pro bono offers a sense of perspective. It reminds us that the value of our profession extends far beyond billable hours and commercial transactions. Our legal knowledge is a powerful tool, and the opportunity to use it to improve someone's circumstances is both a privilege and a responsibility.

I continue to be inspired by the lawyers I encounter through pro bono work. Their commitment to their clients, dedication to achieving just outcomes and willingness to devote their time and expertise, often alongside demanding professional and personal commitments, are remarkable.

A tradition of making a difference

The importance of pro bono is by no means a modern concept. The legal profession has a long tradition of lawyers contributing their expertise in the pursuit of justice, and one particularly compelling illustration is the celebrated English case of Somerset v. Stewart (1772).

James Somerset was an enslaved man who had been detained aboard a ship on the Thames, with the intention of transporting him to Jamaica. Supported by abolitionists, including Granville Sharp, his case came before the Court of King's Bench through an application for a writ of habeas corpus, challenging the legality of his detention.

The proceedings became a significant confrontation between those defending slavery and those seeking to challenge its legal foundations in England. Somerset was represented by a team of lawyers that included Francis Hargrave, a young barrister who acted without a fee.

Hargrave's submissions played an important role in the proceedings. In a landmark judgment, Lord Mansfield held that Somerset could not lawfully be forcibly removed from England for the purpose of being sold abroad and ordered his discharge.

Although the judgment did not abolish slavery throughout the British Empire, it represented an important moment in English legal history and the wider abolitionist movement.

The case also illustrates how pro bono work can provide opportunities for lawyers to contribute to matters of profound significance, while developing their own professional experience and reputations. Hargrave subsequently enjoyed a distinguished legal career.

A legacy worth continuing

More than 250 years later, the motivations that may have inspired Hargrave to act without a fee remain just as relevant: the desire to contribute to a fairer society, the opportunity to make a meaningful difference and the prospect of developing as a lawyer through challenging and rewarding work.

Pro bono is not simply an additional commitment alongside our billable work. It is an opportunity to put our skills to their highest purpose, to learn from colleagues and clients and to remind ourselves why the legal profession matters.

The benefits extend in both directions. Our clients receive legal assistance that might otherwise be beyond their reach, while we gain experience, perspective and a deeper appreciation of the impact our work can have.

At Sidley, we are fortunate to have a wealth of opportunities to contribute. The challenge for each of us is to make the most of them.

After all, some of the most valuable work we do may never appear on a bill.