Pro Bono & Social Impact
Our pro bono work transcends ethical obligation. It is work that moves us, challenges us, and makes us better people and lawyers. We are proud that we can be the voice for the unheard, the champion for the unseen, and the access point to the justice system for the most vulnerable and marginalized. We do work that changes lives for the better, improves the legal system, creates good precedent, and balances the scales of justice.
Overview
Ability, integrity, and service to others – these are the three pillars on which Davis Wright Tremaine was built. As our founding partner once famously said, "…unless we are serving mankind to the top extent of our ability and putting our best talent into that service, what good is life?"
Pro bono and social impact isn't just a part of the firm's vision to better our communities, it is central to our existence.
For almost eight decades, DWT's pro bono and social impact work has been distinguished and cutting edge. In 2021, our attorneys and staff devoted over 29,000 hours, valued at $17 million dollars, to those without a voice in the courts or the means to hire effective legal counsel. These cases were complex, meaningful, and transformative – not only for the client, but also the attorneys that gave of their time and talent.
Attorneys across DWT's eleven offices collaborate and support legal service providers, partner with our clients on pro bono opportunities and community service endeavors, and are thoughtful contributors to the community. In this way, we innovate not only the manner in which we do business, but how we give back.
Our attorneys strive to honor the firm's core values by making pro bono and social impact a comprehensive part of their practice. DWT's pro bono program will continue to champion all those who need access to justice the most, not just those who can afford it.
Committed to Doing Good
Areas of Impact
Our Corporate Partnerships
We partner with our in-house clients on pro bono and social impact work that supports their personal interests in doing good, aligns with their company's strategic priorities, strengthens their relationships with DWT attorneys, and increases access to justice for pro bono clients, communities, and causes.
In-House Insights is an educational series to help in-house lawyers learn from their peers at other companies about how to structure and scale their pro bono programs and efforts.
The Protecting Journalists Pro Bono Program ("ProJourn") is a joint pro bono collaboration between Microsoft, Davis Wright Tremaine, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and the Knight Foundation.