Will Work For Free. Kind Of.

I'm not the sort of person, Dear Reader, that you would probably ever accuse of being 'community spirited' but I have been toying with the notion of offering some form of pro bono investigative services for a while now.

What's the catch, you ask?

Well, here's my half-formed idea...

Firstly, I don't intend to replace paying work with the non-paying kind. That would be what they term a 'poor business model'.

I expect that this would involve myself in potentially interesting, probably complex, and possibly newsworthy cases that I might not otherwise have the opportunity to work with. The direct value to me would be in experience gained as well as exposure should the investigation bear fruit.

In other words, this would be akin to both a marketing and training exercise.

I am motivated by self-interest, after all. 

Anyway, some ground rules would need to be necessary so that there are no misconceptions held by the Client:

• Paying work comes first. Sadly, I have a business to run and bills to pay and that means other obligations will take priority over pro-bono work by necessity.
  
  
• Expenses will have to be covered. I'm happy to provide my time and expertise but any expenses, such as travel, will need to be borne by Client.
    
• Publicity. I should be able to use the case in any publicity for my business, should I deem it suitable for that purpose. Similarly, if I've cracked some big case, I should be able to write about it or otherwise ensure that I am associated with the result.
  
  
• Expectation of financial reward in some cases. I think if the Client receives reparation or a financial benefit as a direct result of the investigation, some form of payment should be made to me.

I think this is pretty fair to both the Client and myself and could be a win-win for all parties concerned.

The next big question is to determine the criteria for selecting cases and who to approach. I've been thinking about the local chapter of The Innocence Project (not all cases are reliant on DNA testing) take but might want to try my hand at some simpler matters first. However, one of my greatest fears of offering pro bono services is attracting more of the tinfoil helmet brigade, who I have been doing my best to evade.

Thoughts on this? 

Good idea? Bad?

Does anyone out there offer pro bono services and how does it work for you?