The International Bar Association (IBA) Pro Bono Committee (the Committee) has launched a new project, The impact of pro bono: interview series , which will feature short conversations with individuals describing what impact the pro bono work of lawyers (free legal help for those who need it) has had on their lives. The interviews will be collected in written format as PDFs and published on the IBA website here .
Jennifer White Callaghan, Secretary-Treasurer of the IBA Pro Bono Committee and Senior Pro Bono Lawyer/Manager at A&O Shearman said: 'We are pleased to begin publishing these interesting conversations and are so grateful to the interviewees for their time and contributions. We started this project a few years ago, based on the premise that measuring pro bono solely by hours ignores the wide range of positive outcomes of the pro bono work that lawyers do to support individuals and organisations around the world. We hope that the project encourages clients, legal services providers, law firms, and others to consider additional approaches to pro bono reporting.'
The interviews in the series are only examples and do not represent the entire landscape of pro bono work.
The first interview in the series features Anis, who talks about his experience receiving pro bono support from lawyers who advised him and his family on United States Afghan Special Immigration Visa matters. The lawyers' counselling led to Anis and his family being granted permanent residence status in the US where he now works as a groundwater geologist for an international geoengineering firm. Read the interview with Anis here .
Many lawyers involved in pro bono work want to think more creatively and effectively about the real impact of their endeavours on people and communities. The project's creators hope that the interviews will inspire continued discussions on how to better understand and measure the positive impact of pro bono efforts, with the goal of helping clients, lawyers, organisations and others involved to see impact in a wider, more meaningful way - focusing on what really matters to those they serve.
Stephanie Cruz, Co-Vice Chair of the IBA Pro Bono Committee and Legal & Business Director at Albagli Zaliasnik, explained: 'For nearly two years, we've journeyed alongside different interviewees worldwide, and what we've found will hopefully reshape how you view impact. It's not just about the hours logged - it's about the profound ripple effect: the capacity built, the innovations sparked, the incredible emotional drive, and the countless lives transformed. Pro bono is a truly multifaceted and powerful force, creating sustainable change and empowering communities across the globe. Let's champion this broader vision and inspire even more individuals and organisations to embrace its immeasurable value.'
The project involved talking to a variety of people involved in pro bono work to gather different perspectives. Many discussions and events took place, including conferences and virtual meetings, where people shared ideas and experiences.
Over the coming weeks, new interview snapshots will be published with individuals who have different roles in pro bono work and the beneficiaries.
