Pro Bono

Winston & Strawn is committed to excellence in serving the public interest. We were one of the first large law firms in the country to adopt a written pro bono policy in 1991, to become a signatory to the Pro Bono Institute Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, to establish a well-funded charitable foundation, and to hire a full-time Director of Public Interest Law.

When the firm celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2003, we asked every lawyer and paralegal in the firm to sign a Pro Bono Pledge to devote at least 35 hours to pro bono work during the year. More than 70 percent of Winston's attorneys signed the pledge. As a result, the firm has increased its pro bono hours billed by at least 15 percent every year since 2002.  

The firm's Pro Bono Policy, which was revised in 2004 to incorporate this pledge, includes an improved hour-credit provision and provides a detailed description of pro bono work. We have provided representation in matters involving community economic development, criminal defense, First Amendment/free speech, contested guardianship, landlord/tenant, not-for-profit corporate organization, political asylum, post-conviction relief in death penalty cases, and public assistance.