a project of the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)

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.

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.

Website Helps Attorneys Find and Do Pro Bono Work
Since 2002, thousands of Illinois lawyers and legal professionals who do pro bono legal work have turned to www.IllinoisProBono.org to help them find and do volunteer work. In April 2007, the website received a complete overhaul. PBI is working with the staff of IllinoisProBono.org to develop special user group home pages for law students, senior attorneys, government attorneys and paralegals.  These new home pages are expected to launch beginning in February 2008.  Stay tuned for details.

Annual CBA/YLS Pro Bono and Community Service Fair

Each year, the Young Lawyers Section of The Chicago Bar Association holds the Pro Bono and Community Service Fair.  The Fair is an opportunity for attorneys to learn about the variety of legal aid, public interest law and community service organizations that have available pro bono and community services opportunities.  This year's Fair is being held on Thursday, October 30, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the law firm of Jenner & Block.  Contact the YLS by e-mail or phone at 312-554-2032 for more information about this event.

Directory of Pro Bono Projects for Summer Associates

On a biennial basis, PBI collects information on pro bono projects that summer associates have participated in at Chicago's law firms and publishes that information in the PBI Directory of Pro Bono Projects for Summer Associates. In 2006, thirty one Chicago law firms responded to our survey and are included in the current directory. 

PILI Internship and Fellowships for Law Students and Graduates

PILI offers Internship and Fellowship programs for law students and new law school graduates, respectively, to work at public interest law agencies in Chicago.