ABA Center for Pro Bono

10/15/2026

🏆 Pro Bono Publico Award Winner Spotlight: Mark Melton

We’re proud to spotlight Mark Melton, Founder of the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center and a 2022 recipient of the ABA Pro Bono Publico Award, whose work continues to make a lasting impact on access to justice.

Since receiving the award, Mark has grown the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center into one of the nation’s largest and most effective eviction defense organizations. With 36 employees and a sister office in Houston, the Center provides critical legal representation to tenants facing eviction, standing in Dallas eviction courts every day and helping thousands of people navigate the legal system.

Mark’s leadership demonstrates how a commitment to pro bono service can transform lives, strengthen communities, and help ensure that everyone has a voice in the justice system.

📣 Join us in celebrating this year’s outstanding pro bono leaders at the 2026 Celebrating Champions of Justice and Service Reception!

📅 October 15, 2026
📍 McDermott Will & Schulte | Chicago
https://americanbar.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6zd9BunVkqWjug6

Come celebrate the attorneys and advocates whose dedication to public service makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We hope to see you there!

10/14/2026

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/legal-exchange-insights-and-commentary/texas-is-investing-in-rural-justice-better-data-can-grow-access

Opinion: Lone Star Legal Aid's Ashley Oborn says identifying legal deserts should be the first step in bringing more legal resources into rural Texas.

10/13/2026

🏆 Pro Bono Publico Award Winner Spotlight: Neal Manne

We’re proud to recognize Neal Manne, Senior Partner at Susman Godfrey LLP, a 2021 recipient of the ABA Pro Bono Publico Award, for his continued commitment to pro bono service and access to justice.

Since receiving the award, Neal has remained deeply engaged in impactful pro bono litigation, taking on challenging cases that protect constitutional rights, advance justice, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. His work exemplifies the dedication and leadership that the Pro Bono Publico Award celebrates.

Join us in celebrating the outstanding attorneys who dedicate their time and talent to serving others at the 2026 Pro Bono Publico Awards on October 15 in Chicago at McDermott Will & Schulte.
Come honor the extraordinary contributions of pro bono leaders and celebrate the power of legal service to strengthen our communities and advance justice for all.

📅 October 15, 2026
📍 McDermott Will & Schulte | Chicago
https://americanbar.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6zd9BunVkqWjug6

We hope you’ll join us for this special celebration!

10/09/2026

https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/florida-lawyers-report-nearly-1-7-million-hours-of-pro-bono-work/

Florida Bar members personally reported providing just shy of 1.7 million hours of pro bono work last year and contributed almost $9.5 million to legal aid organizations, according to new figures gleaned from the Bar’s latest dues statements. The 1.7 million hours of pro bono work amounts to more ...

10/08/2026

TODAY!!!! 🗓️

We want to hear your ideas for sessions at the 2027 ABA/NLADA Equal Justice Conference! Be sure to get your proposal in today for consideration.

Questions? Reach out to [email protected].

Session proposals for close this Thursday! Help the ABA Center for Pro Bono and NLADA build a program that reflects the ideas, experiences, and expertise of the equal justice community. If you have a practical strategy, emerging issue, innovative approach, or important perspective to share, we want to hear from you.

More info: https://bit.pulse.ly/mfgimiiycq

10/07/2026

🌟 Pro Bono Publico Award Winner Spotlight: Rebecca Rapp

We’re proud to spotlight Rebecca Rapp, a 2021 Pro Bono Publico Award recipient, whose commitment to expanding access to justice continues to make an impact.

Since receiving the award, Rebecca has continued advancing pro bono and access-to-justice efforts—from co-chairing the Rural Justice Task Force to serving on Frontline Justice’s National Leadership Council. Under her leadership, Ascendium’s Law for Learners program has expanded to partner with 40 postsecondary schools across Wisconsin, helping thousands of learners address critical legal needs.

Join us in celebrating this year’s outstanding Pro Bono Publico Award honorees.

📅 October 15, 2026

📍 McDermott Will & Schulte | Chicago

Come celebrate the attorneys and advocates who are making a difference through pro bono service and expanding access to justice.

Register Here: https://americanbar.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6zd9BunVkqWjug6
We hope to see you there!

10/06/2026

⚖️ Celebrate Pro Bono This October!

The National Celebration of Pro Bono is coming October 25–31, and we’re inviting attorneys, legal professionals, law students, legal aid organizations, bar associations, courts, and community partners to join us in celebrating the impact of pro bono service.

This year’s theme, “Serving Justice. Strengthening Democracy.”, recognizes the vital role pro bono attorneys play in helping people protect their rights, secure stability, and fully participate in their communities.

🎉 Are you hosting a pro bono event this October? Add it to the National Celebration of Pro Bono registry!
Whether you’re organizing a volunteer recognition event, CLE, clinic, training, recruitment activity, or community outreach program, sharing your event helps connect more people with opportunities to serve.

👉 Add your event and explore celebrations happening across the country at www.celebrateprobono.org
Let’s come together this October to recognize the difference pro bono service makes—and inspire even more people to get involved.

Serving Justice. Strengthening Democracy.

The Annual National Celebration of Pro Bono—a nationwide opportunity for lawyers to honor our responsibility to the profession and our communities by volunteering to serve those who cannot afford legal services.

10/05/2026

🌟 Celebrating the Impact of Pro Bono Publico Award Winners

What does a Pro Bono Publico Award mean years after the award is presented? For 2019 honoree Mona Kaveh, the answer is simple: a continued commitment to making a difference.

Since receiving the Pro Bono Publico Award in 2019, Mona has become a partner at Kemp Jones, LLP while continuing her dedication to representing abused and neglected children in foster care through pro bono service. Her leadership and commitment have earned additional recognition, including a Clark County proclamation and the Boyd School of Law’s Silver Staircase Award.

Mona’s journey is a powerful reminder that pro bono service doesn’t end with an award—it inspires a career of continued service and leadership.
Join us as we celebrate this year’s outstanding Pro Bono Publico Award honorees and the lasting impact of pro bono advocacy.

📅 October 15, 2026
📍 McDermott Will & Schulte | Chicago

Come celebrate the attorneys who are using their skills and dedication to advance justice and strengthen communities.

We hope to see you there! https://americanbar.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6zd9BunVkqWjug6