BigLaw and Pro Bono Work/Professional Activities

[joste8]

<p>I'm considering law school and possibly corporate law down the road. Had some questions about how pro bono work and other professional activities (i.e., participation in law organizations, adjunct teaching, publication) fit into the life of a BigLaw lawyer, whether junior associate or senior partner. </p>

<p>Do firms expect their lawyers to do some type of pro bono work, or is it solely up to the initiative of each individual? Are big firms generally supportive of pro bono work and other activities that benefit the profession (teaching, scholarship, mentoring, etc.), or is it up to the lawyer to somehow find the time outside of their regular hours to engage in these pursuits? Should associates (especially junior ones) even attempt to pursue these outside activities, or is it better to wait until they've reached more senior status with somewhat less demanding hours? Just wondering if simply sleeping less is the only way to make time for these worthwhile pursuits or if there's another way...</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any advice/experiences.</p>

[sallyawp]

<p>Since I was a very junior attorney, and throughout my career at Biglaw, I have worked on pro bono matters to some extent every year. Many Biglaw firms are supportive of pro bono efforts, have some kind of pro bono coordinator who provides lists of opportunities to attorneys, and even have certain pro bono activities that the firm takes on on a regular basis. That said, although some Biglaw firms give credit for the hours worked on pro bono hours, absent special circumstances, you generally must get all of your billable work done in addition to whatever pro bono work you have. </p>

<p>Many Biglaw attorneys are also involved in professional activities such as bar association committees and adjunct teaching (I used to be an adjunct professor, too), but work has to be a priority. In my experience, these activities are much more prevalent among more senior attorneys, particularly partners.</p>