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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][b]I'm a legal secretary to partners (who vote on which associates become partner) and can tell you that it's definitely noticed and taken into consideration. So if you're aiming to make partner, you should do more. [/b]

For two years I worked for the GC (who was also a partner) and a non-equity partner who was trying to make equity. In that time the Non-E had ONE pro bono client. It was one of many strikes against him.

If you're aiming to be rich and obnoxious and completely out of touch with the working class, then avoid pro bono at all costs.

Decide your priorities, and go from there. [/quote]

Maybe at YOUR firm but this is far from universal. At my NYC firm, definitely looked down upon in litigation by the "important" partners -- the senior partners whose views matter. They view it as time that you're taking away from actual billable work for paying clients. And if you're too into pro bono -- like take on 1-2 matters per yr or more -- you are def viewed as NOT biglaw material -- bc they've had associates in the past who just didn't care about the financial/commercial work, so they'd load up on pro bono and then when asked to take a real case try to argue that they were too busy. Not saying everyone (or even most) would play that game, but bc enough people have played that game in the past -- if you're all into pro bono, you're seen as not hard charging enough to work with the hedge fund clients. Now if it's the kind of pro bono that gets you on TV, sure exceptions are made -- like DACA, travel ban etc. -- but for the day to day divorce or housing or whatever, not so much.

8th yr -- I've done one as a 2nd yr; hated it and was actually staffed on it thru junior associate assigning so I couldn't say no (bc the associate handling it was leaving the firm, so they had to make sure someone worked on it). About the same for my peers.[/quote]

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