Pro Bono

Definition

Legal work done for free, which sounds generous until you realize it is Latin for "for the good" and lawyers mostly use it to balance out the karmic debt of their regular billing rates. The legal profession's version of community service.

Example Usage

"I am doing this case pro bono," said the attorney, which his partners interpreted as "for the love of God, please give us good press."

Related Terms

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ultra vires

Actions beyond the legal authority or power of a corporation or public body, Latin for 'you can't do that.' The legal version of a kid trying to use their parent's credit card without permission.

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disclose

To reveal information that was previously hidden, concealed, or confidential, often because you're legally required to do so. In legal contexts, it's the art of sharing exactly what you must while strategically withholding everything else. Failure to disclose can range from "minor procedural issue" to "enjoy your felony charge."

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Indemnify

To promise you will pay for someone else's mistakes, which is basically what parents do for eighteen years but in contract form. The legal equivalent of saying "don't worry, I got you" to a corporation.

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consideration

Something of value exchanged between parties to make a contract legally binding, because courts need proof you weren't just making empty promises. The legal system's way of ensuring everyone has skin in the game.

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choice of law provision

A clause in contracts that decides which state's laws apply if things go sideways, because apparently geography matters in legal disputes. Companies always pick the state with laws most favorable to them, which is why Delaware is very popular.

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Intermediate

hornbook

A single-volume treatise on a legal subject that provides fundamental principles, originally named after children's primers bound with protective horn. Law students treat these as sacred texts during finals.

⚖️ Legal

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