In a year that saw legal practices limited because of COVID-19, slightly more lawyers reported providing pro bono services in 2019-20 than the previous year, although the amount of assistance provided declined.

The money contributed to legal aid organizations, however, rose slightly. Lawyers may also be seeking alternative online avenues to do pro bono work, such as Florida Free Legal Answers, which has seen more consumers pose questions and more answers provided by lawyers.

“Hopefully, it’s a COVID fluke but it’s troubling to me when I saw the information [about the reduction in pro bono hours],” said Pro Bono Legal Services Committee Co-Chair Kathy McLeroy.