Patterson Belknap has a long and proud history of public service, embodied today in our unparalleled pro bono program. Every year since 2004, 100% of our attorneys have represented clients in pro bono matters. By accepting the American Bar Association’s pro bono challenge, we agreed to devote up to 5% of the firm’s annual billable hours to public service work, a number that we have exceeded every year. Our dedication to pro bono and our successes on behalf of our pro bono clients is frequently recognized. The firm is consistently ranked at or near the top of The American Lawyer’s annual pro bono survey. Additionally, in 2021 we were named the “Pro Bono Firm of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation.

At the heart of our pro bono program is a deep commitment to bringing the best possible legal representation to the most underserved, and frequently overlooked, populations. We are extremely proud of the work we do, frequently in partnership with some of the nation’s most respected legal services organizations. Our attorneys work with individual clients daily to resolve legal issues that could otherwise leave them and their families devastated. While these matters are not always widely publicized, our work enables basic necessities of life to be provided to our clients – obtaining shelter for the homeless, ensuring there is access to medical care and food, and giving a voice to our clients in the courtroom and before administrative agencies where public benefits are at risk of being lost.