2026 Equal Justice Conference

For years, law firms have publicly reported and touted their pro bono hours, but law firm giving – and advocacy for public funding – has largely remained in the shadows. This panel will explore a law firm’s responsibility for direct donations, both to organizations that provide pro bono opportunities and to areas of unmet need often beyond the reach of pro bono. We will also explore the broader duty of the private bar to advocate for and defend public funding to support legal aid. Panelists will discuss the opaque and antiquated process of private sector giving during these turbulent times, and how we can work together to put giving in focus.