Deputy Pro Bono Counsel

Milbank LLP•New York, NY

About The Position

The Deputy Pro Bono Counsel supports and advances the organization’s pro bono mission by helping design, implement, and manage well supported, ethically sound, and impactful pro bono initiatives aligned with firm priorities. This role works closely with attorneys, nonprofit partners, and community organizations to expand pro bono legal advocacy and integrate pro bono work into the firm’s culture.

Requirements

3–4 years of relevant post‑J.D. legal experience, preferably in a law firm environment with exposure to pro bono, public interest, or nonprofit work.
Proven ability to provide leadership, manage multiple matters simultaneously, and advise attorneys across practice areas on pro bono matters.
Experience working with legal advocacy groups and nonprofit organizations.
Dedication to training, mentoring, and supporting attorneys in pro bono efforts.
Familiarity with pro bono reporting platforms, matter management systems, and data or analytics tools.
Strong interpersonal skills, good judgement, project management and the ability to interact and work effectively with people at all levels.

Responsibilities

Support day‑to‑day management of the firm’s pro bono docket, including matter intake, placement, staffing, and tracking across offices and practice groups.
Assist in developing, implementing, and sustaining firmwide pro bono initiatives and signature projects.
Coordinate with nonprofit legal services organizations and other partners to source appropriate, high‑quality pro bono matters.
Serve as a primary resource for associates and partners regarding pro bono opportunities, expectations, policies, and procedures.
Ensure matters remain actively staffed, monitored, and compliant throughout their lifecycles.
Match attorneys to pro bono matters based on skills, capacity, and professional development goals.
Onboard new attorneys into the firm’s pro bono program, including U.S. summer and first year associates.
Oversee pro bono matters and workflows for all U.S. summer and first year associates, including but not limited to distributing pro bono opportunity lists and matching summer and first year associates to pro bono matters.
Organize and support pro bono clinics, brief‑advice programs, and training sessions in collaboration with subject‑matter experts and partner organizations.
Ensure compliance with professional responsibility rules, malpractice coverage requirements, and firm pro bono policies.
Identify and mitigate legal, ethical, and operational risks within the firm’s pro bono program.
Maintain and enhance pro bono matter management, reporting, and tracking systems in partnership with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
Develop, implement, and manage workflows for onboarding, offboarding, case status updates, and attorney communications.
Oversee internal reporting, leadership updates, and external surveys and award submissions related to the Firm’s pro bono efforts.
Analyze internal and external data to support strategic planning and program improvement.
Collaborate with various stakeholders, including but not limited to Practice Group Leaders, Professional Development, and Legal Recruiting, to integrate pro bono efforts into firm culture.
Support the continued evolution of the firm’s pro bono program to emphasize attorney engagement and high‑impact work.
Proactively identify opportunities for impact litigation, transactional pro bono, and other relevant pro bono matters.
Build and maintain relationships with legal services organizations, advocacy groups, bar associations, and pro bono networks; represent the firm externally as needed.