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Amended Supreme Court Rule to Increase Pro Bono Service Among House Counsels, and Attorneys on Retired or Inactive Status
The Illinois Supreme Court recently amended Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756 to allow attorneys registered with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) as retired, inactive or house counsel to provide pro bono legal services under certain circumstances in Illinois. The amended Rule was entered on March 26, 2008 and will become effective as of July 1, 2008.
PBI Corporate Roundtable Series
The Corporate Roundtable Series provides corporate pro bono leaders with an opportunity to network, discuss the unique pro bono challenges facing corporate attorneys and to share best practices and strategies for successful pro bono programs. The second installment in the Corporate Roundtable Series will be on Thursday, August 21, 2008, from noon until 2:00 p.m. at GECC in Rosemont, IL.
PBI Monthly E-Newsletter: Pro Bono Advocate
Each month, the PBI Pro Bono Advocate features the latest project and pro bono news, highlight selected available pro bono opportunities, upcoming project and pro bono news and spotlight pro bono achievements in the community. Past copies of the newsletter are available on-line by following the link above.
PBI Pro Bono Prospectus
The Pro Bono Prospectus is intended to aid law firm and corporate attorneys who are trying to encourage their organization to develop a formal pro bono program and to encourage fellow attorneys to participate in their organization's pro bono activities.
Contents of the
Corporate Pro Bono Prospectus:
INTRODUCTORY LETTER
WHY DO PRO BONO WORK?
WHAT CONSTITUTES PRO BONO WORK?
ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT PRO BONO REPORTING RULE
SETTING UP YOUR PRO BONO PROGRAM
THE IMPORTANCE OF A PRO BONO POLICY
DISPELLING THE MYTHS OF PRO BONO PBI Pro Bono Reference Guide
PBI developed the Pro Bono Reference Guide to provide Illinois corporations with direction, best practices and relevant samples to aid members of the corporation in developing or enhancing its pro bono program.
Contents of the
Pro Bono Reference Guide: A Resource for Corporate Programs
INDEX
INTRODUCTION
PRO BONO BASICS
INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
FINDING PRO BONO MATTERS
ADDITIONAL PRO BONO RESOURCES
OTHER WAYS TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PBI Pro Bono Technical Consultations
Another key service PBI provides is delivering technical consultations to corporations wishing to establish or reinvigorate their pro bono programs. As a service to the corporation, PBI gathers a consultation team that includes representatives from other Illinois corporations that have been successful in the development and/or management of a pro bono program.
PBI Semi-Annual Pro Bono Forum
PBI organizes and hosts two programs each year that bring together pro bono leaders from law firms, corporations, law schools and legal aid agencies to discuss timely pro bono issues and share pro bono best practices. The Fall 2008 Pro Bono Forum will be held from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2008. The Fall Forum is being held in conjunction with the CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week 2008 and is being hosted by The Chicago Bar Foundation at CBA Headquarters.
PBI Annual Pro Bono Celebration
On Thursday, June 11, 2009, the annual PBI reception, "Celebrating Pro Bono," will be held at the Harold Washington Library's Winter Garden Room.
Pro Bono Opportunities for Attorneys in the Chicago Area
The Pro Bono Initiative surveys, collects and assembles information about pro bono opportunities in Chicago and The Chicago Bar Foundation publishes this information in a guide entitled, “Pro Bono Volunteer Opportunities for Attorneys in the Chicago Area.” This publication is also available in print by e-mailing the PBI Director.
Pro Bono Initiative Honor Roll
PBI annually recognizes the contributions of Illinois' law firms and corporations for their pro bono contributions. The 2006 PBI Honor Roll was announced at PILI's Annual Awards Luncheon in December 2006. View the 2006 PBI Honor Roll.
For more information about PILI and its Pro Bono Initiative,
contact PBI Director Michael Bergmann by e-mail or at 312-832-5129.
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