Lateral, Literal, Latin and Just Plain Loopy: Barristers’ Perspectives on Pro Bono

The ability of barristers to play with words in weird and wonderful ways was recently confirmed when they were asked to suggest an imaginative collective noun for a group of pro bono barristers. This opportunity to demonstrate linguistic creativity occurred in the context of a survey of barristers recently carried out by the National Pro Bono Resource Centre.

Who, for example, could fail to admire the barristers who created the collective nouns socialite security, a poornob, a nonfeesance or a praggle (from a pride of lions and a gaggle of geese). Impressive also was the lateral thinking that linked a group of pro bono lawyers to a gift, a murmuration, a karma, a pluck, a pride, a raft, a posse and a stoop.  

Many of the responses revealed that lawyers still have a sense of humour. One suggestion was an obstinacy (as per buffalo). Another wit suggested a skeleton of pro bono lawyers (as a pun on ‘bone’ and ‘bones or arse’). Also exposed were the Latin scholars who ex curia suggested fidus achates, tabula rasa, pros boni and a publico, from the phrase pro bono public, or for the public good.

However, the positive image of a legal profession that embraces pro bono was clear in many of the nominated nouns. Quite a few respondents chose pride as the collective noun and others suggested a victory, a pleasure, an excellence and a sunshine (with the explanation they are bright with a desire to help, always there, full of hope and bigger and better than any one person individually). The idea of helping the poor and disadvantaged was evident with words such as a benefaction, benevolence and a sympathy. A link to the religious and divine was noted with suggestions of a sanctuary, a sainthood and a pious.

Under the cover of anonymity, one respondent suggested that a murder of pro bono lawyers might be appropriate and another opted for ‘a six pack’ with the explanation “because that’s all they can afford!”.

Both enthusiasm and pessimism were evident. The former was embodied in a triumph while a posse, an army, a crusade and a troupe indicated an awareness that there are plenty of pro bono lawyers, and they are ready to do battle. There were also reminders that the pro bono contributions of the professions have a direct effect on the income of barristers, with suggestions of a poverty, a beggar, a bankruptcy, an overdraft, a pauper, a financially challenged and a poor box. Clearly some people thought too little pro bono is being done with suggestions such as a pittance, an insufficiency and an embarrassment.

The ideas of professional responsibility, selflessness and contributing to access to justice came through strongly in responses like a justice, a conscience, an  honourable, a heart, and a benefice.  

The concept of giving and charity was also strong with responses such as a  gratuity, a  gift, an almoner, a contribution, and a gratis. But also the ‘free’ nature of pro bono was commented on quite directly with use of words like a freebie, a freesome and a freefall.

There was a sense that some pro bono barristers may appear a little on the dishevelled side with references to a rabble, a nong, a fuss, a grumble and a mug. A leftish bias was also detected with entries such as a  commune, a socialist, and a collective.

The individual satisfaction of barristers who undertake pro bono work was evident with responses such as a glow, a pleasure and a sabbatical, the latter being explained as ‘a leave of absence to broaden the mind and grow in your field’.

Inevitably, there were those modern musos who couldn’t resist reference to the Irish rock band by suggesting a U2 — one of these entries came with the explanation: ‘a well known group of socially minded people who sing well for their clients and a high-flying squadron of professionals who help preserve the peace but do so unseen’.

The amused but learned judges, being faced with all these wonderful responses, determined that the winners for the States where a sufficient amount of entries were received should be:

NSW:  A bonbonniere (because they are the sweet side of the profession!)

VIC:  A burnside (as in Julian and Carolyn)

QLD:  A fury

SA:  A bien pensant

WA:  A constellatio

Maria Twomey