PRE-CONFERENCE - Pro Bono Institute 2026 Annual Conference

The PBI 2026 Pre-Conference, hosted at Hogan Lovells on Wednesday, March 4, is only available for those registered for the Annual Conference + Pre-Conference PACKAGE or for the Pre-Conference ONLY.

You can check your registration type by clicking the "ALREADY REGISTERED?" link in the top-right or bottom-left corners. If you would like to add the Pre-Conference to your registration, please contact events@probonoinst.org. We encourage you to reach out soon, as capacity for the Pre-Conference is nearly full.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hogan Lovells
555 13th Street, NW | Washington, DC 20004

This year, PBI will offer a Pre-Conference on how the legal community can innovate to advance justice in changing times. The Pre-Conference will explore cutting edge initiatives, tools, and ideas to engage lawyers, legal staff, expert services providers, and community partners to broaden access to justice and deepen impact.

As the justice landscape shifts, the legal community is reimagining what it means to deliver accessible, strategic, and impactful pro bono services. This Pre-Conference will feature conversations about approaches to scaling access to justice, including:

AI and Emerging Technologies
Community Justice Workers
Expanded Networks of Pro Bono Lawyers
Expert Services Providers

Discover how organizations are rethinking roles, harnessing evolving tools, and building collaborative frameworks that meet clients where they are.

Through interactive sessions and real-world case studies, participants will gain practical strategies to scale inclusive and sustainable pro bono efforts. Whether you are looking to expand your program’s reach, adapt to new legal service delivery models, or strengthen partnerships and community connections, this program will equip you with ideas and inspiration to maximize access to justice.

Who Should Attend

Law firm pro bono professionals
Legal department pro bono leaders
Public interest pro bono professionals
Access to justice leaders

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Beyond Traditional Pro Bono: Mobilizing Legal Talent for Impactful Litigation Through Alternative Engagement Models

As political pressures and capacity constraints challenge traditional firm-based pro bono models for impact litigation, innovative approaches are emerging to expand access to justice through partnerships with independent attorney networks. This session explores how large law firms and corporate legal departments can engage with impact litigation initiatives powered by non-firm attorneys — including strategic case referrals, behind-the-scenes support, and alumni network mobilization — to amplify their pro bono impact without taking on counsel responsibilities. Learn how Lawyers for Good Government's groundbreaking Pro Bono Litigation Corps mobilizes retired partners, former government attorneys, small firm attorneys, and solo practitioners for high-stakes litigation, and discover concrete ways your organization can collaborate with and support this alternative model.

1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Break

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

From Barriers to Solutions: How Community Justice Workers Transform Justice

Community Justice Workers (CJWs) are transforming how underserved populations navigate legal systems by providing culturally competent, community-based support. This discussion will explore the role of CJWs in expanding legal services, reducing barriers, and fostering trust between communities and the legal system. Attendees will learn about successful models, training approaches, and partnerships that amplify impact. With a panel of experts highlighting real-world examples, the session will empower pro bono and access to justice leaders to devise practical implementation strategies for CJW programs across the country. Join us to discover how these innovative models can help build stronger communities by offering holistic legal support that meets clients where they are.

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Break

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Pro Bono for Institutional Resilience: Leveraging Expert Support to Build Stronger Legal Services Organizations

Legal services organizations are the backbone of access to justice, yet many operate with persistent resource constraints that limit their ability to meet community needs. This session explores how expert services providers can strengthen institutional resilience through strategic, non-legal support, such as workflow analysis, data management planning, operational assessments, and process mapping. By improving infrastructure and internal systems, experts help legal aid organizations work more efficiently, scale more effectively, and ultimately serve more clients.
Participants will learn practical approaches to partnering with experts to modernize operations, reduce bottlenecks, and build long-term capacity. This session reinforces the principle that pro bono impact extends beyond casework and includes supporting the organizations that sustain justice.