Pro bono and public service work sit at the heart of the profession’s moral compass. They remind every practitioner why law exists in the first place—to serve, to protect, and to ensure justice is accessible to all. Yet, for many in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia, this important work comes with a hard reality: limited time, minimal resources, and growing client need. The challenge isn’t just doing the work—it’s doing it ethically and effectively.
Upholding the Same Standards
The professional rules don’t bend because a case is unpaid. Rule 6.1 of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct encourages service to individuals of limited means, but it doesn’t relax the duties of competence, communication, or confidentiality.
Every client—whether a corporate executive or a tenant facing eviction—deserves the same diligence. The ethical baseline doesn’t shift with the billing rate.
Example: A lawyer representing a housing client pro bono in D.C. still needs to research the relevant landlord-tenant statutes, meet filing deadlines, and explain each step to the client clearly. The work may be unpaid, but the professional obligation remains unchanged.
When Resources Run Thin
Public service work often stretches professionals to their limits. Caseloads expand, time compresses, and administrative help may be nonexistent. These pressures are real—but they don’t erase ethical duties.
If a matter falls outside one’s core experience, competence can still be achieved through collaboration. Rule 1.1 allows a lawyer to associate with another professional who has the necessary expertise.
Example: A Northern Virginia lawyer volunteering for an immigration clinic may seek guidance from a colleague or nonprofit legal aid attorney experienced in asylum law. That collaboration transforms potential risk into responsible representation.
Conflicts and Clarity
Even in volunteer settings, conflict checks are essential. Rule 1.7 doesn’t distinguish between paying and non-paying clients. Before agreeing to a matter, take a moment to review prior and ongoing representations.
Example: A practitioner assisting small business owners through a D.C. nonprofit must confirm that advising a new startup doesn’t conflict with past work for a competing company. Transparency and due diligence maintain professional credibility.
Just as important is setting expectations. Pro bono clients may be new to the legal system and deeply emotional about their cases. A written engagement letter, even for limited-scope assistance, helps define what the representation includes—and what it doesn’t.
The Ethical Heart of Public Service
At its core, pro bono work is an act of leadership and conscience. But compassion alone isn’t enough. The best public service work merges empathy with structure: clear communication, careful management, and respect for the same ethical rules that guide every other matter.
Ethical lapses—even well-intentioned ones—undermine the very purpose of service. Maintaining consistency, clarity, and professionalism preserves not only client trust but the integrity of the profession itself.
For those engaged in public or pro bono work across Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia, McGavock Reed of The McGavock Reed Law Firm provides insight and guidance grounded in real-world ethical experience.
For continuing education on professional responsibility and emerging ethical challenges, explore a CLE course taught by McGavock Reed: Ethical Standards Evolving with Technological Advances.
The McGavock Reed Law Firm
🌐 www.macreedlaw.com
📞 Phone: 703-206-6926
📧 Email: info@macreedlaw.com
📍 Serving Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia