By American Bar Association
Lawyers and law firms across the country will participate in volunteer events to help people with their legal issues Oct. 25-31 as part of the National Celebration of Pro Bono. This year’s theme is "Serving Justice. Strengthening Democracy."
“The relief that attorneys bring to that one legal situation reaches well-beyond the specific relief sought,” said ABA President Barbara J. Howard. “When people can resolve legal problems, they can show up for their families, for their jobs and for their communities. Access to justice isn’t just personal; it’s part of what keeps democracy working.”
Howard, who will visit the ABA’s Immigration Justice Project in San Diego Oct. 25-27 and observe immigration court proceedings, will be recognized Oct. 28 by the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati and the Volunteer Lawyers Project for her commitment to pro bono services and professional leadership. She will receive the Harry Santen Force for Justice award.
In the 17 years since the national celebration began in 2009, more than 16,000 pro bono events have taken place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada. Recently, the national celebration has focused on specific themes, including justice for all as well as service to victims of domestic violence, veterans, homeless youth and disaster resiliency.
Events taking place this year include:
• The Boston Bar has events throughout the month of October. https://bostonbar.org/events/month/ Some notable events are the CLE, Pro Bono 101: What Every Volunteer Attorney Should Know; Pizza & Pro Bono: Family Law Practitioners Tackle Massachusetts Free Legal Answers; and a Pro Bono Fair.
• Washington, D.C. has a robust schedule of 2026 Events.
• Nevada has events during the month of October.
• Illinois has various events organized by PILI and the Chicago Bar Foundation, among others. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/center-pro-bono/celebrate-pro-bono/events/illinois/
A listing of opportunities in each state during the national celebration can be found at www.americanbar.org/groups/center-pro-bono/celebrate-pro-bono/events.
Howard gave welcome remarks at the Celebrating Champions of Justice event, which was held on Oct. 15. The event featured the ABA Pro Bono Publico Awards presented by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and the Sharon L. Corbitt and Judith S. Kaye Awards presented by the ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence.
ABA Giving Day also is held during the Celebration of Pro Bono. In its seventh year, the Oct. 29 event, organized by the ABA Fund for Justice and Education, raises awareness to support democracy, justice and equity. It supports nearly 50 ABA programs that help others through public service, policy initiatives and education.
(https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/10/2026-celebration-of-pro-bono/)
Lawyers and law firms across the country will participate in volunteer events to help people with their legal issues Oct. 25-31 as part of the National Celebration of Pro Bono. This year’s theme is "Serving Justice. Strengthening Democracy."
“The relief that attorneys bring to that one legal situation reaches well-beyond the specific relief sought,” said ABA President Barbara J. Howard. “When people can resolve legal problems, they can show up for their families, for their jobs and for their communities. Access to justice isn’t just personal; it’s part of what keeps democracy working.”
Howard, who will visit the ABA’s Immigration Justice Project in San Diego Oct. 25-27 and observe immigration court proceedings, will be recognized Oct. 28 by the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati and the Volunteer Lawyers Project for her commitment to pro bono services and professional leadership. She will receive the Harry Santen Force for Justice award.
In the 17 years since the national celebration began in 2009, more than 16,000 pro bono events have taken place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada. Recently, the national celebration has focused on specific themes, including justice for all as well as service to victims of domestic violence, veterans, homeless youth and disaster resiliency.
Events taking place this year include:
• The Boston Bar has events throughout the month of October. https://bostonbar.org/events/month/ Some notable events are the CLE, Pro Bono 101: What Every Volunteer Attorney Should Know; Pizza & Pro Bono: Family Law Practitioners Tackle Massachusetts Free Legal Answers; and a Pro Bono Fair.
• Washington, D.C. has a robust schedule of 2026 Events.
• Nevada has events during the month of October.
• Illinois has various events organized by PILI and the Chicago Bar Foundation, among others. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/center-pro-bono/celebrate-pro-bono/events/illinois/
A listing of opportunities in each state during the national celebration can be found at www.americanbar.org/groups/center-pro-bono/celebrate-pro-bono/events.
Howard gave welcome remarks at the Celebrating Champions of Justice event, which was held on Oct. 15. The event featured the ABA Pro Bono Publico Awards presented by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and the Sharon L. Corbitt and Judith S. Kaye Awards presented by the ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence.
ABA Giving Day also is held during the Celebration of Pro Bono. In its seventh year, the Oct. 29 event, organized by the ABA Fund for Justice and Education, raises awareness to support democracy, justice and equity. It supports nearly 50 ABA programs that help others through public service, policy initiatives and education.
(https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/10/2026-celebration-of-pro-bono/)
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