Jin Dong and Qian Cheng. “The Rise of Private Public Interest Lawyers in China.” In Global Pro Bono: Causes, Context, and Contestation. Edited by Scott L. Cummings, Fabio de Sa e Silva, Louise G. Trubek, pp. 672-705, Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 2025.

Although pro bono lacks a single standardized definition, it has become increasingly institutionalized across jurisdictions worldwide. Fueled by the globalization of legal practice, expanding international markets for legal services, and rule-of-law promotion efforts, pro bono now operates not only in established Western democracies but also in developing and emerging economies such as China, India, and Brazil. Organizations like the International Bar Association have actively promoted its expansion, while multinational firms have formalized large-scale pro bono initiatives. Law schools and internationally trained graduates further extend this movement across borders, embedding pro bono within global legal networks.

In the context of backsliding democracies, this globalization of pro bono underscores the transnational role of attorneys in defending liberal legal norms. As democratic institutions weaken, cross-border legal networks, international training, and institutionalized pro bono programs can provide resources, expertise, and symbolic support for civil society and rights-based advocacy. At the same time, the integration of pro bono into global legal markets raises questions about whether its priorities remain oriented toward structural defense of democratic freedoms or become shaped by international professional incentives. The institutionalization of pro bono thus reflects both the growing capacity of lawyers to respond to democratic erosion and the constraints imposed by globalization itself.