a project of the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)

PILI & PBI News

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. 

Sign up for the PBI
E-newsletter

PBI Releases New Pro Bono Reference Guide for Illinois Law Firms and Corporations

PBI has developed the Pro Bono Reference Guide to provide Illinois law firms and corporations with direction, best practices and relevant samples to aid the firm in developing or enhancing the firm's pro bono program.  There are two versions of the Reference Guide, which replaces the former PBI Pro Bono Manual; one version geared towards law firms and one version geared towards corporations. 

PBI Develops Pro Bono Prospectus to Aid Lawyers in Promoting Pro Bono Within Their Firms and Corporations

The Pro Bono Prospectus is intended to aid law firm and corporate attorneys who are trying to encourage the firm or corporation to develop a formal pro bono program and to encourage fellow attorneys to participate in the firm or corporation's pro bono activities.

Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Launches New Alumni Program

PILI recently launched an Alumni Program to maximize the natural link between alumni as a conduit into PBI and to generate a philanthropic relationship with alumni both on a personal and institutional level.  Learn more.

2006 PBI Honor Roll is Announced
Thirty Chicago law firms and twelve corporations will be recognized for their pro bono contributions at the PILI Annual Awards Luncheon on December 7th. Of the fifty-nine law firms and corporate in-house legal departments that responded to PBI's annual pro bono survey, 3,984 attorneys reported handling pro bono cases totaling 271,087 hours. An additional 58,013 hours were contributed by 1,527 non- attorney staff. The law firm of Jenner & Block will receive this year’s Pro Bono Initiative Award in recognition of its substantial contributions to pro bono.  View the 2006 PBI Honor Roll.

Other Pro Bono News

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.

Jones Day Launches Pro Bono Fellowship Program

The Jones Day Pro Bono Fellowship Program places a newly hired associate at a legal services agency for one year, allowing the new attorney to gain valuable experience while helping ensure equal access to justice.  The Jones Day Pro Bono Fellowship Program is modeled after a similar program instituted by Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP in 2004.  Read more...

Pro Bono Reporting in Upcoming Annual Attorney Registration
On June 14, 2006, Illinois became one of only five states to institute a pro bono reporting requirement in the annual attorney registration process. This information will be collected by the ARDC each year during the annual attorney registration process beginning with the 2007 registration. Annual registration materials are typically be mailed by the ARDC in early October.  Click here to learn more about the new rule and reporting.

Nonprofit Legal Assessment Project (NLAP) Seeks Volunteer Attorneys and Offers Services to Nonprofit Organizations

The Community Economic Development Law Project is launching the Nonprofit Legal Assessment Project (NLAP), to provide a range of legal analysis, representation and technical assistance to established nonprofit organizations.

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.

CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week 2009 - October 27th to 31st
Pro Bono Week 2008 will be held from October 27-31, 2008, will include the Annual CBA YLS Pro Bono and Community Service Fair, hosted by Jenner & Block on Thursday, October 30th.  More information regarding the 2008 CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week will be available in the coming months.

CBA/CBF Annual Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon

The 10th Annual CBF/CBA Pro Bono and Public Service Luncheon will be held on Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Fairmont Hotel. 

Here Are Some of the Latest News Stories from IllinoisProBono.org: