The 2012 Pro Bono Institute Annual Conference featured two “Marketplace of Ideas” sessions covering new pro bono developments and projects such as Bankruptcy in a Box model, the Inventor Assistance Program, and an attorney rotation program.

DLA Piper published the England and Wales In-House Counsel Pro Bono Guide to provide in-house lawyers with tools and information to establish or expand global pro bono efforts.

The PBEye applauds the passage of the Legal Profession and Public Notaries Amendment Bill 2012 by the Victorian Parliament, which lifts the limitation upon in-house counsel to provide services solely to their employers.

Verizon Communications Inc. hosted a clinic with CPBO, DLA Piper, and United Way of the National Capital Area. The client organizations consisted of those aiding the elderly, families with autistic children, young women with breast cancer, and mothers and children in Ghana.

CPBO has found that legal departments value the pro bono performance of their outside firms. Departments signal their interest in many ways, from inquiries regarding pro bono performance to publicly acknowledging outstanding firm pro bono work, to partnering with outside counsel on pro bono projects.

In-house legal departments continue to move toward more structured pro bono programs.