The 2016 National Celebration of Pro Bono will take place on October 23-29, 2016. 

Over the past eight years the ABA's Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service has succeeded in creating an annual national spotlight on pro bono with its National Celebration of Pro Bono.

Governor Tom Wolf and both Houses of the Pennsylvania General Assembly have officially recognized National Pro Bono Week in Pennsylvania. Governor Wolf has issued a Proclamation recognizing October 23-29, 2016 as Pro Bono Week and encouraged all Pennsylvanians to reflect on the immense contributions of Pennsylvania's attorneys. Similarly, the Pennsylvania Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have both issued resolutions designating the week of October 23-29, 2016 as Pro Bono Week in Pennsylvania.

The Governor's Proclamation, as well as both legislative resolutions, recognized that the Pennsylvania Bar Association joined with the American Bar Association in sponsoring the National Pro Bono Celebration which highlights the impact attorneys make in their communities, and which promotes pro bono work by recruiting and training additional volunteers to assist the low-income population needing legal assistance. 

The annual National Celebration is a coordinated national effort to meet the ever-growing needs of this country's most vulnerable citizens by encouraging and supporting local efforts to expand the delivery of pro bono legal services, and by showcasing the great difference that pro bono lawyers make to the nation, its system of justice, its communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve.

This year, the Celebration of Pro Bono will especially focus on service to our nation's veterans, and celebration activities will extend to include Veteran’s Day, with additional volunteer activity also being planned for around Memorial Day 2017. The ABA will be making special efforts to recognize the valuable pro bono contributions of lawyers serving veterans across the country through a little friendly competition and a social media blitz using the hashtag #ABAServingVeterans. 

Although national in breadth, the Celebration provides an opportunity for local legal associations across the country to take the next step in their efforts to provide high quality legal services to those living on the social margins.

In Pennsylvania the Celebration extends throughout the month of October. There are numerous events scheduled around the state providing opportunities to join the Celebration. A list of events taking place in Pennsylvania during October may be viewed on PAProbono.net.