It's easy – and gratifying – to see the merits of pro bono work to those in our communities who are otherwise without a legal voice. We're pleased to provide firms with Westlaw for that purpose; last year we donated more than $14 million of Westlaw support.

Pro bono work is also increasingly seen as an investment by law firms to:

• Keep new associates productive and engaged
• Demonstrate long-term thinking and investment on behalf of firms
• Fill excess capacity and retain top talent through pro bono activity

Top firms are expanding their commitment to pro bono work:

• In 2009, 134 of the nation's law firms performed 4,867,820 hours of pro bono work, an increase of nearly 24,000 hours from 2008. The total translates to nearly $2 billion in free legal services, or the equivalent of 3,100 full time lawyers – almost the same as the number of full time salaried legal services attorneys in the U.S.

To participate, please contact your Westlaw representative.