Is pro bono good for professional development? Is it an asset for business development? Clerk Daniel Birch explores this year’s theme of why pro bono is a win-win for everyone.
Pro bono work can develop from a sense of professional duty for barristers. The feeling of serving justice for those less fortunate.
But aside from being the right thing to do, doing pro bono work also has real perks for barristers and chambers alike.
Professional development
It is an opportunity to grow, build your reputation, and develop your practice in a meaningful way. It helps you refine your advocacy, work closely with others, and get your name out there in a profession where trust really counts.
For junior barristers, especially those just starting out at the Bar, these cases can offer responsibility and independence that you might not get through instructed work.
Taking on a pro bono case often means running it from beginning to end: drafting skeleton arguments, meeting with clients, and appearing in court. It’s a chance to build confidence, sharpen your advocacy skills, and get a stronger grasp of how the court works from first-hand experience.
For barristers, reputation is important. Word gets around quickly among solicitors, clients, and colleagues (faster than a clerk on a filing deadline).
Showing professionalism, empathy, and determination through pro bono work helps build a reputation as someone who is both skilled and is exactly the kind of counsel people want to instruct.
Barristers who take on complex or high-profile pro bono cases may also gain media attention or recognition from the court, which can raise their profile. The skills and visibility gained from these cases often lead to future instructions, especially in similar areas of work.
Even though pro bono work isn’t about financial gain, it can still have a real impact on developing a practice. A strong pro bono record shows credibility, empathy, and professionalism - qualities that can help build trust with solicitors and clients.
The work often brings barristers into contact with all kinds of legal professionals. These connections can lead to new working relationships, which might later turn into paid instructions or referrals. Networking… but without the awkward canapés.
And sometimes, clients you first represent pro bono may return later as paying clients or recommend you to others because of the positive experience.
Business development
In today’s socially aware legal world, taking on pro bono cases isn’t just about helping others. It is also a smart move for careers and chambers as a whole.
Many chambers and professional organisations, such as the Bar Council and Advocate, recognise and celebrate barristers who put effort into pro bono advocacy. This kind of recognition doesn’t just highlight the individual; it also reflects well on their chambers.
With clients and solicitors increasingly looking for social responsibility, chambers that are active in pro bono often stand out; not only for improving access to legal counsel but also building a reputation for being principled, grounded, and genuinely committed to communities.
A pro bono culture can boost morale and bring members together. It gives everyone, from pupils to silks, a shared purpose. This reinforces the idea that being successful at the Bar is about service as well as advocacy.
We love a win-win.
Daniel is currently a Clerk on the Business & Property team at No5 Barristers' Chambers, after starting his career at a top London set in 2019. He is on the Bar Council's Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Committee, as a representative for the Institute of Barristers' Clerks.