 Guess what? Attorneys are a lot more noble than most people think.
Not because they claim it, but because of some powerful data that has emerged in a recent
survey. But just like so many other changes that have occurred in modern society, it may
well be that financial contributions have replaced the concept of pro bono or free labor.
Attorneys, it turns out, are extraordinarily philanthropic people.
The “news” was one of the high points in a survey distributed to the 15,700
members of the Foundation of the State Bar of California in July.
The backdrop for this discovery lay in the incredible growth of
annual member contributions to the foundation over its nine-year history — a span
during which members have given $3.75 million. Between 1991 and 1999, foundation revenues
soared from $154,196 to $681,679, an increase of 342 percent.
During the same period, salaries of first-year associates increased
by 237 percent, according to a national study. Granted, there are imperfections in
comparing California foundation contributions with national salaries. Yet one conclusion
is inescapable: During the past decade, attorneys in California have contributed their
share — and then some.
What is motivating attorneys to be so generous?
That’s what the foundation recently asked as one question in a
survey of its members. The results are rather amazing.
Forty-six percent said they give to the foundation because “it’s
the right thing to do,” followed by another 32 percent who support the foundation’s
scholarship and law-related education program.
In other words, more than three-quarters of the respondents say they
give because they believe in the foundation’s mission.
Support for next year looks equally promising. Some 78 percent said
they would give again because of the foundation’s program and objectives. Less than 3
percent said they would not give again. It’s hard to imagine many other voluntary
organizations with such high retention rates. Further, such member satisfaction creates
the opportunity for the foundation to “spread the word” in hopes of expanding
the donor base.
Why such high levels of member satisfaction? Part of the answer stems
from general agreement with the foundation’s two primary giving categories:
scholarships and law-related education programs. When asked for their input on future
giving patterns, 45 percent replied that it should remain as is; 16 percent asked for more
money for scholarships; and 19 percent called for more funds for law-related programs.
Conclusion: The foundation’s distribution pattern seems to be right on the money.
Far from being myopic in their giving patterns, foundation donors are
generous in a number of other areas as well. Some 68 percent give to their undergraduate
college or law school; 61 percent donated to religious organizations; 44 percent gave to
youth or senior organizations; 37 percent donated to a child’s or grandchild’s
school; 38 percent contributed to local bar associations; and 33 percent gave to the
annual United Way campaign.
Clearly, the giving record of attorneys is one to be proud of. Using
the past decade as a guide, California attorneys are giving at rates faster than the rate
of income growth. And if the past decade is any indication, growing numbers of attorneys
will be giving a lot more to their foundation and communities in the years to come.
 Dr. Dorothy Tucker is
president of the Foundation of the State Bar of California.
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