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PILI/CBF Pro Bono Initiative
Monthly E-newsletter |
August 2007 |
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Greetings!
Now that the PILI/CBF Pro Bono Initiative (PBI) has celebrated its first birthday, we thought it was time to freshen up our look. We hope you find the new format of our e-newsletter to be more appealing and informative. The newsletter will continue to be issued at the beginning of each month, bringing you the latest in PBI and pro bono news and events.
PBI continues to provide support to law firms and corporations that are looking to build or revamp their pro bono programs, as well as match these pro bono programs with the right pro bono opportunities from the many exceptional Illinois legal aid agencies. We are also committed to assisting these agencies with the promotion and enhancement of their pro bono opportunities. Additionally, we strive to bolster and support the pro bono efforts of special interest groups such as law schools, retired attorneys, government attorneys and non-attorney legal staff.
Your involvement in PBI is a welcome and necessary component to our success. Please contact me if you have questions or suggestions, or if you would like to become more involved in our work. I can be reached at 312/832-5129 or mbergmann@pili-law.org
Sincerely,
Michael G. Bergmann
Pro Bono Initiative Director |
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PBI & Pro Bono News
PBI Releases Corporate Version of Pro Bono Prospectus to Aid Lawyers in Promoting Pro Bono Within Their Corporations Building on the previously released law firm version, PBI has developed and released a corporate version of the PBI Pro Bono Prospectus with the help of Meg Scholand-Watson of United Air Lines, Inc. and Mary Ann O'Connor of JPMorgan Chase. The Prospectus is intended to aid corporate attorneys who are trying to encourage their corporations to develop formal pro bono programs and their colleagues to participate in their corporation's pro bono activities. For more information, e-mail or call PBI Director Michael Bergmann at mbergmann@pili-law.org or 312-832-5129.
View the PBI Pro Bono Prospectus.
CBA/CBF Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon a Record-Breaking Success
Seven attorneys from across the legal community were honored for their dedication to serving Chicago's most vulnerable residents at The Chicago Bar Association and The Chicago Bar Foundation 9th Annual Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon last month. A crowd of almost 700 attended the event at the Renaissance Hotel, which recognized individual attorneys for their dedication to the public interest and highlighted the need for increased support of pro bono and legal aid services. With the support of more than 50 law firms and corporations, as well as many individuals, the luncheon raised more than $300,000 for The Chicago Bar Foundation, a new record for the event. Nancy Loeb of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America and Mary Rose Alexander of Latham & Watkins, LLP served as event co-chairs.
Dykema Hosts Pro Bono Reception To Increase Exposure Firm's Pro Bono Program
On July 25th, Dykema hosted a reception for its attorneys in an effort to promote pro bono and encourageparticipation in the firm's pro bono program. The reception was attended by Pro Bono Committee Chair Chuck LeMoine and Attorney Pro Bono Coordinator Heidi Naasko as well as pro bono attorneys from Dykema. Representatives from Cabrini Green Legal Aid, The Chicago Bar Foundation, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Community Economic Development Law Project, Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing, National Immigrant Justice Center and the Public Interest Law Initiative were also in attendance.
Submit a Pro Bono News Article to PBI
Do you have some exciting news regarding your pro bono program that you would like included in the PBI e-newsletter? Law firms, corporations and legal aid agencies are welcome to submit articles for inclusion in the newsletter. Illinois law schools are also welcome to submit articles about their public interest efforts. Articles should not be more than 300 words, must be submitted electronically to mbergmann@pili-law.org. PBI reserves the right to edit articles and cannot guarantee when or if the article will be published. |
| Upcoming Events & Trainings
PBI to Host Agency Series on Marketing Pro Bono Opportunities
PBI will host two programs for CBF-funded and/or PILI-affiliated legal aid and public interest law organizations. The first program in the series will be held on Monday, October 1, 2007 from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. at The Chicago Bar Association's Headquarters and is entitled, "Effectively Marketing Your Agency's Pro Bono Program and Opportunities." The program will focus on topics including, the complete and effective use of www.IllinoisProBono.org, effectively using newsletters and e-mails, and promoting your program, opportunities and financial contributions through your agency's website. Invitations to this program will be sent to agency Executive Directors in the coming weeks. Also, mark your calendars for the second program in the series, which will be held on Monday, December 10, 2007. Please call or e-mail PBI Director, Michael Bergmann, at 312/832-5129 or mbergmann@pili-law.org for additional information.
CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week 2007 is October 8th to 12th
The CBA and CBF will sponsor the third annual Pro Bono Week in Chicago the week of October 8th to shine a light on pro bono in the Chicago area legal community. This year's Pro Bono Week will be co-chaired by Julie Tappendorf of Holland & Knight and Rob Acton of Cabrini Legal Aid Clinic, and will be highlighted by the Annual YLS Pro Bono and Community Service Fair the evening of October 11th. Watch for more details on Pro Bono Week in next month's PBI newsletter.
Date Set for Fall PBI Semi-Annual Pro Bono Forum
On Monday, November 5, 2007 from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m., PBI will hold its second semi-annual PBI Pro Bono Forum at The Chicago Bar Association's Headquarters. The Forum is intended for pro bono leaders from law firms, corporations, legal aid and public interest law organizations and law schools. Over 70 PBI Participants attended the first Forum, which was held in April. The topic for the November 5th Forum will be "Effectively Engaging Young Lawyers and Law Students in Pro Bono." More information will be available soon.
Save the Date for the 11th Annual CBF Fall Benefit The Annual Fall Benefit is The Chicago Bar Foundation's biggest fundraiser of the year. This high-profile fundraiser caters to families while bringing together over 1,600 people from throughout Chicago's legal and corporate communities in a unique and fun-filled setting. A huge silent auction, food, drinks, a band, and entertainment for children are all part of the experience. The event includes access to the Museum's renowned exhibits, free and convenient garage parking, live band entertainment, a light buffet dinner, a full open bar, an outstanding silent auction, and special children's activities. This year's event will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 6:30 until 10:00 at the Museum of Science & Industry. For more information about this event, please contact Meredith Lovell, CBF Development Coordinator, at 312.554.1207 or mlovell@chicagobar.org.
PILI's Annual Awards Luncheon: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke to Deliver Keynote Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke will address more than 450 members of the legal community who will gather on Thursday, December 6, 2007, to celebrate the best aspects of the profession at the Public Interest Law Initiative's Annual Awards Luncheon. It is a forum to recognize those performing remarkable public interest and pro bono work. The Luncheon features several awards to acknowledge those whose work epitomizes the ideal of access to justice for all. The Distinguished Public Service Award honors an individual whose commitment to public interest work has shaped a career dedicated to service. The Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize a former PILI intern and fellow for outstanding contributions of public interest and pro bono work. The Pro Bono Initiative Award acknowledges a single organization (law firm or corporation) for unprecedented pro bono work in the community. This year's Luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2007 in the International Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel. Contact Susan Curry for additional details at scurry@pili-law.org or 321.832.5128.
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| Pro Bono Opportunities
If you are a legal aid agency staff member and you would like to post a pro bono opportunity, visit IllinoisLegalAdvocate.org. |
 Pro Bono Spotlight
Spotlight on Jordan Heinz
Jordan M. Heinz is an associate at Kirkland & Ellis in the general litigation and intellectual property departments. Currently, Jordan is PILI's pro bono attorney for a significant and ongoing intellectual property matter and is also helping to organize a new PILI Alumni Program. A 2005 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Jordan was both a PILI Intern and a PILI Fellow at Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation. For the last two years, he has served as one of the Fellow Representatives to the PILI Board of Directors. He is also a member of the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago's Board of Directors.
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