Pro Bono Project

What Pro Bono Project does

Pro Bono Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization founded in 1986 and headquartered in Campbell, California, that provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents of Santa Clara County. Its service portfolio centers on three core areas: domestic violence representation (restraining orders, custody, visitation, support), reentry civil legal services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals (record clearance, expungement under California SB 731/SB 1106), and community-access legal advice through Lawyers in the Library clinics and Virtual Legal Clinic sessions. Approximately 90% of client services are delivered by volunteer attorneys recruited from major law firms including DLA Piper, Fenwick & West, Cisco, Baker Botts, Littler Mendelson, Winston & Strawn, Haynes & Boone, WilmerHale, and Gibson Dunn.

The organization's underlying technology consists of a Virtual Legal Clinic platform built on Cisco Webex video conferencing, supported by Lenovo-donated laptops and Xerox-donated multi-function printers, enabling 20–30 minute confidential remote consultations at staffed community partner sites across Morgan Hill, Campbell, Milpitas, Gilroy, Los Altos, Saratoga, and the Santa Clara County Bar Association. It also operates a YouTube-based PBP Video Series launched in 2021 for asynchronous legal self-help education on restraining orders, custody, and record clearance procedures. All technology is non-proprietary, donated, or off-the-shelf; no AI/ML capabilities are deployed.

Pro Bono Project generates revenue entirely through charitable contributions rather than fees to clients. The funding mix comprises individual donations, corporate sponsorships (including an annual Lady Justice Innovates Benefit Dinner), government grants from entities such as the California Community Reinvestment Grants program, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, and the California Access to Justice Commission, cy pres awards from class action residual funds, and payroll deduction campaigns through United Way and the California State Employees Charitable Campaign. Executive Director Sandra Madrigal has reported annual fundraising of $1.5–$1.8 million and cumulative fundraising exceeding $12 million during her tenure. The go-to-market motion is community-led: clients are reached through direct referrals from Santa Clara County courts, the Office of Diversion and Reentry Services, and partner agencies including Goodwill Industries Silicon Valley and Maitri.

Name

Pro Bono Project

Legal name

Pro Bono Project

Website

https://probonoproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pro Bono Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that provides free civil legal services to low-income Santa Clara County residents, with approximately 90% of services delivered by volunteer attorneys recruited from major law firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Aid Services

NAICS

Legal Services (5411), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Defense & Legal Aid Services (BPAIAFAC), Victim Services & Witness Assistance (Justice System) (BPAIAFAJ)

Keywords

• Pro bono legal services
• Family law assistance
• Domestic violence legal aid
• Record clearance services
• Reentry civil legal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Campbell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting legal services for low-income community members.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual event sponsorships for the Lady Justice Innovates Benefit Dinner and other organizational events.
3. Government Grants: Funding from government entities including the Office of Diversion and Reentry Services, California Community Reinvestment Grants program, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, and California Access to Justice Commission.
4. Cy Pres Awards: Class action unclaimed funds directed to the organization by courts as 'next best use' awards.
5. Payroll Deduction Programs: United Way Combined Federal Campaign and California State Employees Charitable Campaign payroll deductions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pro Bono Project provides free legal services to low-income residents of Santa Clara County, California, with a focus on family law (divorce, custody, visitation), domestic violence restraining orders, record clearance and expungement (including SB 731), and reentry civil legal services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Services are delivered through in-person Lawyers in the Library clinics, Virtual Legal Clinic Sessions using Cisco Webex, mail-based services for incarcerated clients, and limited-scope representation by approximately 358 volunteer attorneys.

Product overview

Pro Bono Project operates as a legal services nonprofit offering a unified portfolio of free legal services to low-income residents of Santa Clara County. The core offerings center on three service areas: Domestic Violence Services (restraining orders, custody and visitation), Reentry Civil Legal Services (record clearance, expungement for formerly incarcerated), and community-based access programs including Lawyers in the Library and Virtual Legal Clinic Sessions. Supporting these are Attorney Mentoring and the PBP Video Series YouTube channel. Approximately 90% of services are delivered by volunteer attorneys coordinated through the organization's infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Domestic Violence Services Free legal advice and limited scope representation in domestic violence restraining order hearings for victims and survivors in current or former domestic partnerships, including assistance with temporary custody, visitation, and support determinations.
• Reentry Civil Legal Services Free civil legal services to Santa Clara County incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, provided in partnership with the Office of Diversion and Reentry Services, with a focus on record clearance and expungement matters.
• Lawyers in the Library Free 20-minute legal advice consultations conducted by volunteer attorneys at library locations, covering general legal advice, small claims court assistance, wills/trusts/probate, and startup legal questions.
• Virtual Legal Clinic Sessions Remote 20-30 minute legal consultations using Cisco Webex video conferencing, connecting community members with volunteer attorneys for confidential legal information and advice at staffed virtual clinic sites, with support for document sharing, review, and printing.
• Record Clearance Services Legal assistance with expungement, record sealing, and navigating California record clearance laws (SB 731, SB 1106) for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking to remove barriers to employment and housing.
• Attorney Mentoring Program Mentoring and supervision for volunteer attorneys, with experienced practitioners providing guidance on case strategy, framing of issues, and courtroom techniques for new attorneys taking family law cases.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 13,000 hours of legal services provided by 358 volunteer attorneys in 2011
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Office of Diversion and Reentry ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing referrals of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals to Pro Bono Project for free civil legal services. Coordinates the reentry services program for Santa Clara County.
• California Access to Justice CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState commission working to improve access to justice for all Californians, supporting Pro Bono Project's mission.
• Silicon Valley Campaign for Legal ServicesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional campaign supporting and promoting legal services for underserved populations in Silicon Valley.
• Next Door Solutions to Domestic ViolencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing services to domestic violence survivors, received Outstanding Partner of the Year award in 2018.
• Hall of Justice (HOJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanta Clara County court facility where Pro Bono Project provides legal services.
• Santa Clara County Family CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourt partner where Pro Bono Project handles domestic violence and family law cases.
• Public Defender OfficemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanta Clara County public defender office coordinating on criminal justice matters.
• Goodwill Industries Silicon ValleymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn October 21, 2022, Pro Bono Project attorneys conducted presentations on record clearance procedures for Goodwill clients re-entering the community. Collaboration coordinated with Vinessa Lira and Pablo Gaxiola of Goodwill.
• MaitrimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership producing FAQ resources for immigrant domestic violence survivors navigating the criminal justice system. Jointly developed materials by Rachel McKenzie, Phoenix Forbes (PBP) and Zakia Afrin, Shabana Ansari (Maitri).
• DLA PipermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm providing volunteer attorneys and event sponsorship for Pro Bono Project. Major supporter of the Virtual Legal Clinic launch and Lady Justice Benefit Dinners.
• Fenwick & WestmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilicon Valley law firm providing volunteer attorneys, event sponsorship, and program support. Humanitarian sponsor and supporter of Lady Justice Benefit Dinners.
• CiscomajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner supporting the Virtual Legal Clinic program with equipment and technical resources.
• Santa Clara County Bar AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBar association partner operating Virtual Pro Bono Clinics providing free general legal advice to underserved clients in Santa Clara County.
• Morgan Hill LibrarycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLibrary partner hosting Virtual Pro Bono Clinic sessions for the community.
• Baker BottsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm providing volunteer attorneys for virtual clinic consultations.
• Littler MendelsonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm providing volunteer attorneys for virtual clinic consultations and event sponsorship through Marlene Muraco (board member).
• Winston & StrawnmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm providing volunteer attorneys for virtual clinic consultations.
• Haynes & BoonemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm providing volunteer attorneys for virtual clinic consultations.
• LenovomajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology company donating laptops for the Virtual Legal Clinic program.
• XeroxmajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology company providing equipment for the Virtual Legal Clinic program.
• Santa Clara County Library DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLibrary system operating four separate virtual clinics across the county.
• U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloping first-of-its-kind virtual clinic at a South Bay VA center specifically for veterans and their legal issues.
• WilmerHalemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm receiving Firm Vanguard Award and providing volunteer attorneys and event sponsorship.
• BJ Fadem and AssociatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceiving Firm Vanguard Award for support of Pro Bono Project.
• Santa Clara County Board of SupervisorsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceiving Outstanding Partner of the Year award. Supervisors Cindy Chavez and others have provided commendations and support.
• Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm receiving Firm Vanguard Award and providing volunteer attorneys and event sponsorship.
• McManis FaulknermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm receiving Philanthropist of the Year Award in 2016 for support of Pro Bono Project.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Bet Tzedek Legal Services: Bet Tzedek provides free legal services to low-income residents in Los Angeles, including assistance for families, older adults, workers, and people facing systemic barriers. It is comparable as a nonprofit civil legal aid provider, but it primarily serves a different regional market.
• Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County: Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County offers free legal help to low-income residents in an adjacent Bay Area county. It is comparable because it provides direct civil legal aid to similar client populations, though its primary geography differs from Pro Bono Project's Santa Clara County focus.
• East Bay Community Law Center: East Bay Community Law Center provides community-based legal services and law-school-linked clinics, including clean-slate, housing, immigration, and health-related legal aid. It is comparable because it serves low-income Bay Area clients with direct legal assistance and clinic delivery models.
• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto: Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto provides legal services to low-income communities in areas such as housing, immigration, and economic advancement. It is comparable as a Bay Area legal aid nonprofit with clinic-based and community-centered service delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Public Counsel: Public Counsel is a large pro bono public interest law firm providing free legal services to low-income clients, nonprofits, and communities. It is comparable because it uses pro bono legal capacity to deliver public-interest representation, but operates at larger scale and primarily in Southern California.
• Legal Aid at Work: Legal Aid at Work is a California nonprofit legal services organization focused on workplace rights and legal help for low-wage workers. It is comparable as an established nonprofit legal aid provider, though its subject-matter focus is narrower than Pro Bono Project's family law, domestic violence, and reentry mix.

Emerging players

• Root & Rebound: Root & Rebound provides reentry legal support and advocacy for people impacted by incarceration and criminal records. It is comparable to Pro Bono Project's reentry and record-clearance services, though it is more specialized in the reentry segment.

Others

• OneJustice: OneJustice supports and delivers legal clinics and capacity-building for California legal services organizations, particularly for underserved communities. It is comparable as part of the pro bono legal services ecosystem, though it is more of a network and service-enablement organization than a direct local competitor.

Direct peers

• Bay Area Legal Aid: Bay Area Legal Aid provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents across the Bay Area, including family, housing, benefits, and safety-related matters. It is comparable because both organizations deliver nonprofit legal aid to underserved clients in Northern California.
• Law Foundation of Silicon Valley: Law Foundation of Silicon Valley provides free civil legal services to low-income and vulnerable residents in Silicon Valley. It is a direct peer because it serves a similar geography with legal aid, advocacy, and representation for underserved communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@probonoprojectsiliconvalle6682
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pro-bono-project-silicon-valley

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pro Bono Project