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Currently, we have six ad hoc project teams in place and will establish additional teams as new projects emerge. We invite you to become more involved in the work of PBI. These teams are described below:
PBI Recognition Team
This team will examine the various possibilities for recognition of the outstanding pro bono efforts of individual attorneys, law firms, corporations and legal aid agencies throughout Illinois by nominating them for existing awards and/or establishing new awards to be conferred by PILI/PBI. This Team is made up of a cross-section of PBI Participants from law firms, corporations, law schools, the organized bar and legal aid organizations.
PILI/PBI Surveys Project Team
PILI and its Pro Bono Initiative have conducted several surveys over the years, including an annual survey of pro bono at law firms and corporations. PBI has also surveyed law firms to determine the pro bono opportunities for summer associates and compiles that information into an annual Directory of Summer Associate Pro Bono Opportunities that we distribute to law schools throughout the state and country. We are presently reevaluating these surveys and others conducted by PILI/PBI to streamline our process and better collect and utilize the data that we gather. This Team will determine what data is needed and how to best collect and utilize the information collected. Pro Bono Technical Consultation Teams
One of PBI’s key services is providing technical consultations to law firms and inhouse corporate legal departments that wish to establish or reinvigorate their pro bono programs. As a service to the firm or corporation, PBI gathers a consultation team that includes representatives from firms corporations that have been successful in the development and/or management of a pro bono program.
Pro Bono Opportunities Advisory Team
This team is tasked with assessing the pro bono capacity in the State of Illinois and working with PBI Participants to ensure that there is a sufficient variety of pro bono legal opportunities. For example, PBI is actively working with Illinois Legal Aid Online to increase the use of IllinoisProBono.org by attorneys providing pro bono services. PBI will take primary responsibility for gathering, editing and maintaining content on the site. This team will include individuals from IllinoisProBono.org user groups, including attorneys from law firms, corporate legal departments and legal aid agencies and law schools. The team will provide feedback on the content of the site as well as recommendations to increase the site’s usefulness and statewide impact and will assist in the development of special user group sites within IllinoisProBono.org for law firm attorneys, corporate legal department attorneys, government attorneys, retired attorneys, law students and paralegals.
Pro Bono Manual Revision Project Team
Several years ago, PBI developed a Pro Bono Manual to assist firms and corporations to start or reinvigorate their pro bono programs. Through the work of this Team, PBI was able to develop two entirely new resources for law firms and corporations. The PBI Pro Bono Reference Guide: A Resource for Law Firm Programs was released in September 2007. The PBI Pro Bono Reference Guide: A Resource for Corporate Programs was released in October 2007. Available for the first time on-line through the PBI website, both Reference Guides are over 60 pages and are filled with a variety of information on the best practices of pro bono program development and administration. Check out the new Reference Guides today!
PBI Program Planning Team
This Team is responsible for planning the semi-annual PBI Pro Bono Forums that gathers pro bono coordinators from firms and in-house legal departments and representatives from legal aid and public interest law organizations to discuss timely pro bono issues and share pro bono best practices. PBI has also developed an annual series, the PBI Agency Series, which provides guidance to agencies on a variety of relevant topics. Additionally, the Team is also responsible for planning the annual PBI "Celebrating Pro Bono" reception, which also serves as the project's annual fundraiser.
If you are interested in assisting with any of these projects, please contact PBI Director Michael Bergmann.
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Pro Bono Initiative
