Pro Bono Opportunities

Pro bono publico distinguishes the legal profession—“a learned art”—from many alternative career paths. Lawyers hold a special place of trust and power in society, and they have an obligation to give back by seeking improvement of the law, access to the legal system and improved quality of service. They should work to further the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system “because legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend upon popular participation and support to maintain their authority.” Preamble to Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010. Also, the Supreme Court recognizes that it is the responsibility of those licensed as officers of the court to use their training, experience, and skills to provide services in the public interest for which compensation may not be available, and it requires reporting of such service as part of the attorney’s annual registration. Supreme Court Rule 756(f).

Pro bono service can provide incredibly rewarding experiences for attorneys and life-changing circumstances for the people and organizations benefitting from such service. There are pro bono opportunities available throughout Illinois in a variety of areas of the law, ranging from discrete time commitments of one to two hours to extended trial and appellate work. Opportunities to make financial contributions to organizations providing legal services to those of limited means abound.

Illinois lawyers are making a difference by donating thousands of hours in free legal services each year. In addition, lawyers and law firms provide major financial support to legal aid organizations. These pages contain information for attorneys who seek to provide pro bono service, or individuals who need access to such service. Thank you for your commitment to professionalism. Please let us know if you have suggestions to supplement this list.


Legal Aid Organizations in Illinois

There are a variety of legal aid organizations throughout the state providing pro bono services. The list and links below provide a sampling of legal aid organizations where lawyers may volunteer their time or make other contributions. The organizations are based in Chicago unless otherwise indicated.


Law Firm Pro Bono and Community Service Recognition

The Commission on Professionalism recognizes the outstanding pro bono commitment of law firms with offices in Illinois by highlighting some of their inspirational work on this website. The legal community has an honorable tradition of using its skills for the benefit of the public through pro bono and community service. To learn more about lawyers service to the public by viewing the law firm links below. Please feel free to contact us with additional postings celebrating the contributions of other firms and organizations.

The Supreme Court recognizes and supports the responsibility of those licensed as officers of the Court to use their training, experience, and skills to provide services in the public interest. Accordingly, the Commission on Professionalism is committed to supporting pro bono opportunities for lawyers to make a difference in the lives of individuals who may not have access to such services and may not be able to provide compensation. A description of the first major pro bono effort of the Commission follows.

 

Military Veterans' Benefits Pro Bono Initiative

The Commission is working with a broad range of organizations, institutions and government agencies to develop a coordinated initiative to improve the status of veterans' benefits in Illinois. The result is a statewide network preparing lawyers to provide pro bono legal representation for veterans in proceedings involving disability benefits. This collaborative effort includes the following groups:

The Commission contracted a national expert in veterans' legal issues, Ron Abrams, Director of the National Veterans Legal Services Project in Washington D.C., to train representatives of the organizations listed above in October 2007. Lawyers participating in the first training made two commitments: 1) to represent Illinois veterans for no cost, or "pro bono" service; and 2) agree to assist in the training of other lawyers across the state, in future training programs organized by the COP and their partner organizations. Since then, the Commission has been involved in several education sessions across the state designed to introduce attorneys to the administrative and judicial processes involved in advocating for veterans' disability benefits.

Above is a photo taken at the April 4, 2008 program at the University of Illinois, "For Those Who Have Borne the Battle. Why Lawyers Matter. Legal Issues and Military Service." L. to r.: Major Daniel J. Sennott, Associate Professor, The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School; John F. Costello, Jr., Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (now Bureau Chief, Military and Veterans’ Rights Bureau, Office the Attorney General, Lisa A. Madigan); Steven J. Lepper, Brigadier General, USAF, Staff Judge Advocate, Air Mobility Command; Jayne Reardon, Deputy Director, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism; Judge Ronald D. Spears, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Colonel (Ret.), Illinois Army National guard, Judge Advocate General Corps Branch.


Other ways of getting involved to support veterans:


Resources: The American Veterans Service Members Survival Guide