Pro bono services by law departments as distinguished from community service activities

Strictly speaking, pro bono service is intended to encompass a relatively narrow scope of activities. While community services is encouraged, true pro bono service as envisioned by rules of professional conduct is limited to legal services for persons of limited means or for organizations designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means. The primary focus of pro bono service is to provide legal assistance without charge to those who cannot pay.

With this definition in mind, this blog will be more precise when it mentions pro bono initiatives, as compared to community service initiatives (See my post of Aug. 24, 2008: pro bono programs of law departments with 12 references.).