Community & Pro Bono

Since our inception, Snell & Wilmer has been committed to community and civic engagement, with a long history of attorney leaders recognized for their service and dedication to our communities. Read more in our Social Responsibility & Impact Report.

Each of our offices takes great pride in serving and supporting our local communities.

In 2002, the firm launched its foundation to support early childhood education in our communities. Every three years, each office selected an organization in its community that promoted early childhood education and that organization received a three-year grant to support its mission. Since its inception, the firm has contributed more than $5 million to nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving children and families. Today, grants administered through our firm’s donor advised funds continue to be awarded in three-year cycles.

Our attorneys and staff are actively involved in a variety of community, civic, and industry-related activities across the regions where we live and work. Each of our offices takes great pride in serving our communities by supporting local organizations and encouraging our team to participate in community activities. We’ve built longstanding relationships with numerous organizations, including: Valley of the Sun United Way (Phoenix); San Xavier del Bac Mission (Tucson); Dallas Resource Center (Dallas); Clayton Early Learning (Denver); AFAN AIDS Walk (Las Vegas); PUENTE Learning Center (Los Angeles); Orange County United Way (Orange County); Urban League of Portland (Portland); Chicano Federation (San Diego); House of Hope (Salt Lake City); and LightHouse DC (Washington, D.C.), among others.

As one of the three pillars of the firm’s credo, Snell & Wilmer has a long tradition of supporting community involvement and pro bono legal representation. We are invested in fostering a culture where giving back is woven into the fabric of our everyday practice. Through our community involvement, we strive to be a catalyst for positive change, dedicating our time, resources, and knowledge to initiatives that uplift and empower those around us.

Barbara J. Dawson

Chair, Snell & Wilmer

Pro bono activities are an important professional responsibility.

At Snell & Wilmer, we consider pro bono activities a vital professional responsibility. Snell & Wilmer is one of the first law firms in the country to provide billable credit for legal services to low-income individuals and for charitable organizations. We strongly encourage all our attorneys and paralegals to dedicate at least 50 hours per year to pro bono work. We understand that the nature of these services and the causes supported may vary greatly from one individual to another. That’s why the time spent on approved pro bono work is credited toward annual performance goals and is considered alongside client work for evaluations and compensation. Pro bono work is not just encouraged, it is also recognized.

Public Interest Law

Snell & Wilmer has proudly adopted the ABA definition of “Public Interest Law.” For Snell & Wilmer, pro bono activities specifically mean providing legal services to individuals in need and supporting organizations that serve the needy. Our commitment to pro bono work is about making a meaningful impact where it’s needed most, ensuring that everyone has access to quality legal assistance, regardless of their circumstances. For us, pro bono activities specifically mean providing legal services to individuals in need and supporting organizations that serve the needy. Our commitment to pro bono work is about making a meaningful impact where it’s needed most, ensuring that everyone has access to quality legal assistance, regardless of their circumstances.

Snell & Wilmer Pro Bono Services include:

Poverty Law

Legal services in civil or criminal matters of importance to a client who does not have the financial resources to pay a customary legal fee.

Civil Rights and Public Rights Law

Legal services concerning rights of individuals, or a significant segment of the public as a whole, where it is inappropriate to charge the client a customary legal fee.

Representation of Charitable Organizations

Legal services to charitable, religious, civic, governmental, educational, or similar organizations that provide services to the poor.

Services to Improve the Law

Legal services to charitable organizations or services to improve the law and legal system or in connection with law-related education.