The number of pro bono partners in law firms around the world has risen sharply over the past two decades as firms strive to demonstrate their commitment to providing legal assistance and access to justice.

According to a new report, there were only six dedicated pro bono partners globally in 1990. As of 2019, however, some 66 pro bono partners were working in more than 55 law firms.

"A key factor increasing pressure on law firms to provide pro bono has been cuts to legal aid, resulting in increased unmet legal need," the report's authors said. The fact that law firms are picking up this shortfall and the importance that they place on this is clearly shown by the increasing numbers of pro bono partners being appointed."

The report, "The Nature and Prevalence of Pro Bono Partner Roles Globally," was published by DLA Piper in conjunction with the Australian Pro Bono Centre, the Pro Bono Institute in Washington, D.C., and the Thomson Reuters Foundation. It found that ensuring pro bono work is treated the same way as billable work, growing and strengthening the pro bono practice, and meeting the expectations of clients and other stakeholders have all been drivers behind the promotion of pro bono partners.

The report describes a dedicated pro bono partner as one who spends 50% or more of their time on pro bono work.

Most firms with pro bono partners are leading global or national firms, although one firm with just 25 partners includes a pro bono partner.

The United States has the largest number of pro bono partners, at more than 30, while the U.K. currently has 10. In Australia, 11 pro bono partners have been appointed in the past decade and the Australian firms Clayton Utz and Gilbert + Tobin each have two dedicated pro bono partners.

Among pro bono partners, 70% have no income-generating practice.

The most commonly cited responsibilities of the pro bono partner include being an advocate for pro bono; generating a pipeline of pro bono work and supervising pro bono work; thought leadership; and acting for pro bono clients.

The pro bono leaders said they also engaged with the firm's commercial clients.

Asked about the benefits of being promoted to pro bono partner, one unnamed respondent told the survey: "The title of partner has provided me with credibility and the ability to convince some of the most reluctant attorneys at the firm (i.e., the other partners) to take pro bono seriously.

"Perhaps even more than that, I think that elevating me to pro bono partner has improved the firm's status in pro bono."