The Legal Aid Society is pleased to report that 2010 saw another increase in pro bono services contributed. Over 3,400 legal professionals, including 2,174 attorneys primarily from major law firms, volunteered over 241,000 hours of pro bono services. The generosity of these professionals allowed Legal Aid to help assist the neediest New Yorkers on over 6,500 pro bono matters.

Helping increase those numbers was the work of 45 Public Interest Externs, placed in Legal Aid offices throughout the City. Their combined efforts resulted in over 43,000 hours of volunteer service to the Society.

The total valuation of pro bono services contributed to The Legal Aid Society in 2010 was over $74.5 million, an approximate increase of 20% from 2009.

THE YEAR IN PRO BONO: 2010 AT A GLANCE

• In 2010, 3,427 attorneys and other legal professionals volunteered their services with The Legal Aid Society. This includes the pro bono work of 2,174 attorneys, primarily from major law firms.
• Volunteer attorneys and other legal professionals contributed over 241,000 hours of pro bono services to The Legal Aid Society in 2010.
• The total valuation of pro bono services contributed to The Legal Aid Society was over $74.5 million, an approximate increase of 20% from 2009.
• Pro Bono attorneys volunteered 157,121 hours of their time in 2010 on behalf of Legal Aid Society clients.
• Law Firm pro bono attorneys contributed 104,026 hours of volunteer service.
• Unaffiliated pro bono attorneys contributed 9,921 hours of volunteer service.
• 45 public interest externs contributed 43,174 hours of volunteer service in 2010.

Volunteer attorneys worked on over 6,500 pro bono matters in 2010

CIVIL PRACTICE: 1573 volunteer attorneys worked on 2378 matters

CRIMINAL PRACTICE: 514 volunteer attorneys worked on 3179 matters

JUVENILE RIGHTS PRACTICE: 87 volunteer attorneys worked on 967 matters