Pro bono work is more than a bar association requirement at Manning Fulton. We believe that lawyers have a duty to work for the public benefit by defending the vital interests of individuals and organizations without regard to their financial resources, and we regularly put this belief into practice. Charles Fulton set a solid example for the firm with his active pro bono practice and with his leadership (as trustee and board chairman) of the North Carolina State Bar’s Client Security Fund. In addition he was active in the 1984 creation of the North Carolina State Bar’s IOLTA ("Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts") program, which generates income from lawyers' trust accounts in order to fund programs for the public's benefit. For many years, this was the primary source of State Bar public service project funding.

Other lawyers have also exercised key roles in bar association pro bono efforts.  For the North Carolina Bar Association, Judd Welborn has served as Ex Officio Member of the Board of Directors of BarCARES of North Carolina, Inc., which offers no-cost assistance to lawyers dealing with significant personal problems. He is also a participant in the Wake County Volunteer Lawyers Program

Our pro bono activity with legal organizations at the local level has also been extensive. Tom Kilpatrick, Barry Mann, Ted Oliver, Judd Welborn and Will Cherry have been active in the Volunteer Lawyers Program of Wake County, NC.  John McMillan plays a leadership role with the East Central Community Legal Services organization.

John Dorsey is a recipient of the 2008 Power of Justice award presented by the North Carolina Bar Association and Business Leader Media to honor attorneys who have made notable pro bono impacts in the community.  John was recognized for the time he dedicates serving as legal counsel to The 200 Club, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide immediate funds to the surviving spouse and children of public safety officers who lose their life in the line of duty.

Many other lawyers lend their time and training to a variety of educational, faith-based and non-profit organizations and programs.