Law firm A&L Goodbody LLP (ALG) has launched its first report on the impact of its pro bono work on its clients.

The launch of this report coincides with European Pro Bono Week 2024 – a celebration of volunteer lawyers across Europe.

Organised by PILnet, European law firms and pro bono organisations, the week includes events across Europe’s major cities – including Dublin.

Pledge

ALG’s report shows that it undertook over 340 pro bono matters in 2023, with lawyers providing more than 14,100 hours of free legal advice.

This equates to an average of 33 hours for each lawyer in ALG in 2023. The firm says that this exceeds its commitment to 25 hours per lawyer under the Pro Bono Pledge Ireland.

The report says that ALG lawyers have, in the course of their pro bono work:

• Supported those fleeing war and persecution,
• Re-united separated minors from their families,
• Advocated for those in need of social housing,
• Conducted legal research advancing the rule of law, and
• Supported organisations in civil society and social enterprise.

It shows that four in ten of the firm's lawyers worked on an issue linked to asylum or immigration, while 27 clients were represented before the International Protection Office.

ALG's housing-law clinic advised 82 families.

Role of civil society

David Widger (ALG managing partner, pictured) described pro bono work as “a key part of our social commitment to being a responsible business”, adding that the report also recognised the important role of civil society.

The firm works in partnership with domestic and international organisations – including the Public Interest Law Alliance, Business in the Community and TrustLaw (the Thomson Reuters Foundation).

They match ALG's expertise with specific legal needs in non-governmental organisations, community organisations and law centres.