How in-house counsel is shaping the future of pro bono

This impact story is part of our TrustLaw Awards series to celebrate the law firms and legal teams that have demonstrated exceptional effort and enthusiasm in supporting pro bono clients on projects undertaken through TrustLaw.  

We talked to representatives of MSD, which won the In-house Legal Team of the Year Award, including Laura Hidalgo, International Pro Bono Committee Chair, Jennifer Hess, Chair of MSD’s global pro bono program, and Stephanie Ricardo-Leff, member of MSD’s Pro Bono Committee, to explore how to strengthen the contributions of corporate legal teams to the pro bono ecosystem.  

MSD has been a member of TrustLaw since 2010 and has supported a wide range of advisory and research projects, including in hard-to-place jurisdictions. 

Corporate legal teams’ unique value

Civil society is a cornerstone of any democracy, but it is increasingly under threat across the world. A recent survey of civil society members in the TrustLaw network – the largest global pro bono network – found that 50% of surveyed organisations experiences a rise in legal needs over the last year. Without this legal support, organisations struggle to support the communities they serve; inequalities grow and it becomes harder to hold institutions accountable for protecting human rights.

In this context, there is a rising need for strengthening and scaling pro bono engagement globally – and corporate legal teams have an increasingly significant role to play in the pro bono environment. 

The 2026 Global Pro Bono Guide highlights that in most jurisdictions, in-house lawyers aren’t restricted from engaging in pro bono, although they need to meet certain requirements. Where there are restrictions, there are several ways to ensure and preserve participation. As a result, corporate in-house pro bono work is growing across the world. 

Despite this relative lack of restrictions, the value and impact of in-house legal counsel may not be widely recognised. MSD notes that one of the key misunderstandings about in-house legal teams’ role is that they aren’t able to provide meaningful pro bono support because of their corporate legal background. However, as the MSD team points out, pro bono programmes within big organisations can be broad in scope and have just as much impact as pro bono assistance provided by law firms. 

The varied backgrounds corporate legal teams bring together give them a diverse set of skills, domain expertise and reach that they can effectively apply to wide-ranging projects – and there is a growing desire to direct this toward pro bono legal services. 

“From landlord-tenant cases to criminal-record expungement work to wills and trusts development to divorce work and more, in-house legal teams can provide services across a broad spectrum of practice areas as a result of the varied skills and experiences of in-house attorneys and professionals.” MSD  

Navigating the practical complexities

The environment corporate in-house teams operate in is complex, but the practical barriers are largely navigable. 

For example, 70% of jurisdictions require foreign-qualified lawyers to obtain additional licensing to provide pro bono services. However, not every pro bono contribution requires a license to practice. Often, non-admitted lawyers and non-lawyers are still able to contribute to pro bono by providing research, administrative work, and other expertise. 

Furthermore, around 30% of jurisdictions require in-house lawyers to hold professional indemnity insurance for pro bono work, but working with a pro bono membership organisation can provide insurance coverage for volunteer lawyers, such as the National Pro Bono Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme operated by the Australian Pro Bono Centre. 

So whilst the barriers do exist, they aren’t prohibitive. The experience and expertise corporate legal teams bring to the ecosystem remain valuable and in demand.  

The drivers of meaningful pro bono engagement 

One of the ways corporate legal teams can turn intention into practice with pro bono work is through partnerships. MSD highlights networks, clearinghouses, and partnerships as a key factor in best matching resources with needs. In-house legal teams benefit from having partners support them to connect with pro bono work and opportunities to contribute.  

Other drivers that sustain pro bono engagement include: 

• A supportive leadership that makes pro bono a priority 

• A structured pro bono committee to manage the programme 

• A range of opportunities that cater to different interest areas and abilities, making it easy for individuals to find work that resonates personally. 

“We are fortunate that our program is able to support a number of different organizations providing legal services to varied groups. This helps appeal to people’s different skills and interest areas, helping to ensure that we can find a pro bono opportunity of interest to everyone.” MSD

What’s next for corporate legal teams in pro bono? 

What emerges is a picture of untapped potential. The global in-house pro bono community is expanding, but its contribution is not yet fully realised. However, global trends reveal the emergence of many commitments that encourage participation. 

For example, the Pro Bono Institute Corporate Pro Bono Challenge Initiative encourages 50% of legal staff to participate in pro bono, whilst the Australian National Pro Bono has set a target of 20 hours, which is open to in-house lawyers.  

With the in-house pro bono infrastructure growing, those engaging with the work now are actively contributing to shaping its future. 

“Our hope is that corporate legal teams not only continue their active presence in pro bono work, but even grow and strengthen it. The world is changing rapidly, and pro bono services are needed now more than ever. We hope that corporate legal teams continue to prioritize pro bono work despite the challenges.” MSD  

Get engaged

To find vetted pro bono opportunities and support civil society organisations worldwide, log in to the TrustLaw portal.