Pro Bono Opportunities and Information for Lawyers

Welcome to the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services website on Pro Bono Opportunities and Information for Lawyers. This page is intended to inform members of pro bono opportunities available to Illinois lawyers through various legal service providers. It also contains stories about pro bono opportunities and the experiences other lawyers have had participating in pro bono. The Illinois State Bar Association encourages lawyers to participate in pro bono activities and give back to their communities.

Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the following awards:

  • The Joseph R. Bartylak Memorial Legal Services Award
    This award is named in memory of legal services attorney Joseph R. Bartylak to annually honor his extraordinary commitment and dedication to civil legal services and his outstanding service to Illinois’ vulnerable and low-income population. Nominations for the inaugural award must be received by January 17, 2012.
  • John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award
    The award is named in memory of Rock Island attorney John McAndrews, who chaired the ISBA Committee on Delivery of Legal Services and is awarded to individual lawyers, law firms and corporate law departments, and bar associations. Nominations must be received by March 19, 2012.

National Pro Bono Week

The 2011 National Pro Bono Celebration Week was held October 23-29.

In an effort to promote and expand awareness of this need for increased pro bono efforts, please consider some of the activities suggested by the ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Service, including writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper highlighting the good works of local lawyers, asking that a proclamation be adopted in your community, or other activities to promote this event and recognize the efforts of current pro bono volunteers. Below is a sample letter and a proclamation you can download and use.

Just for Fun

Legal Trivia for National Pro Bono Week

Find the Pro Bono Program that is Right for You

Learn about the Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Pro Bono

  • Rule 756(f) – Disclosure of Voluntary Pro Bono Service
  • Rule 756 (j) – Pro Bono Authorization for Inactive and Retired Status Attorneys and House Counsel (See also Rule 756(a)(5) & Rule 716)

How much Illinois Attorneys Contribute to Pro Bono Legal Services Already

“As part of the 2009 registration process, 13,929 Illinois lawyers indicated that they had provided pro bono legal services, totaling, in the aggregate, 2,192,345 pro bono legal service hours, including 1,102,907 hours of legal service provided directly to persons of limited means. In addition, Illinois attorneys reported making a total of $14,779,088 in monetary contributions to organizations that provided legal services to people of limited means.”
Source: ARDC 2008 Annual Report.

Learn more about the Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services

  

Spotlight on Pro Bono

Informative and uplifting articles on pro bono opportunities and experiences