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Illinois Bar Foundation

  • October 18, 2017 | ISBA News
    IBF Gala Silent Auction Now Open

    Even if you can't attend this year's Illinois Bar Foundation Gala, you can still support the work of the IBF and this year's honoree, Senator Dick Durbin, by participating in the online silent auction.

    This year's packages include tickets to your favorite Chicago sporting events, luxurious hotel stays and getaways, fabulous adventures like exclusive dinner parties, wine and beer tasting events, date night ideas in downtown Chicago and beyond, and so much more.

    Visit the IBF website for online bidding instructions, tips, and tricks, and place your bids now. The auction closes at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20. 
     

  • October 17, 2017 | Practice News
    Statewide Pro Bono Survey Highlights

    In early 2017, the Illinois Bar Foundation joined the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, the Chicago Bar Foundation, and the Public Interest Law Initiative in releasing a statewide survey to hear directly from attorneys about their experiences with pro bono.

    The Pro Bono Survey Project is part of a national effort spearheaded by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service to study broader pro bono trends across the country. Nearly 6,000 attorneys in every judicial circuit, county, and practice setting in the state responded to the survey. The thousands of responses reflect the diversity of both our state’s attorneys and their experiences with pro bono. 

    This month, as we celebrate Pro Bono Week, we would like to share some survey highlights and helpful websites to learn more about pro bono.

  • September 29, 2017 | People | Events | ISBA News
    U.S. Senator Dick Durbin To Be Honored at Illinois Bar Foundation Annual Gala on October 20

    U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) will receive the 2017 Distinguished Award for Excellence from the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) at the organization’s 19th annual black-tie Gala, presented by Simmons Hanly Conroy, on Friday evening, October 20, 2017 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago. The event begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30, followed by dinner, dancing, and remarks by Senator Durbin. The mission of the IBF, the charitable arm of the Illinois State Bar Association, is to ensure meaningful access to the civil justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity.

    Senator Dick Durbin is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois and also serves as the Assistant Democratic Leader, the second highest position among the Senate Democrats. He is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and the Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee.

  • September 28, 2017 | ISBA News
    IBF Names 2017 Recipients of Post Graduate Legal Fellowship Program

    The Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) awarded its 2017 Post Graduate Legal Fellowship Program grants to law school clinics at DePaul University College of Law, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and Northern Illinois University College of Law.

    Each law school selected a 2017 graduate for the one-year fellowship, designed to increase access to civil legal aid, help new attorneys develop practical legal skills and build a network, and encourage the participants to use their skills to serve those in need throughout their career through public interest jobs or pro bono work. The 2017 participants are Mallory Morgan, a graduate of DePaul University College of Law; Caitlin A. Kelly, Loyola University Chicago School of Law; and Ryan Lowe, Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Law. The IBF and law school share the cost of the fellowships, which have been awarded annually since 2014.

  • August 2, 2017 | ISBA News
    Illinois Bar Foundation Elects New Officers for 2017-18

    The Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) has elected its officers for the organization’s 2017-18 fiscal year. They are: Perry J. Browder, shareholder, Simmons Hanly Conroy, president; Timothy W. Kelly, principal, Kelly Law Offices, first vice president and Deane B. Brown, partner, Hughes Socol Piers Resnik Dym, second vice president. William A. Peithmann, principal of The Peithmann Law Office, was elected third vice president. Mark L. Karno, principal of Mark L. Karno & Associates, L.L.C., was elected as treasurer and Donald R. Tracy, partner at Brown Hay + Stephens, was re-elected as secretary.

    The Illinois Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Illinois State Bar Association, strives to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity. This year, the foundation will distribute more than $750,000. The Illinois Bar Foundation is located at 20 S. Clark St., Suite 910, Chicago, IL  60603. Call (312) 726-6072 or visit www.illinoisbarfoundation.org.

  • June 28, 2017 | ISBA News
    ISBA-IBF to Host President's Reception Honoring Vincent Cornelius

    Join the Board of Governors of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Board of Directors of the Illinois Bar Foundation for the President's Reception honoring Vincent F. Cornelius, ISBA president in 2016-2017.

    Thursday, July 20, 2017
    5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
    The Clubhouse Oak Brook
    298 Oakbrook Center
    Oak Brook, IL 60523

    Proceeds of this event will benefit the IBF, whose mission is to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who have fallen upon hard times. Tickets can be purchased for $55. Sponsorship opportunities are also available here or by calling (312) 726-6072.

  • June 5, 2017 | ISBA News
    Illinois Bar Foundation and ISBA Mutual Announce New Dividend Donation Program

    The Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) has partnered with the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company to create the ISBA Mutual Giving Circle.

    This new and innovative initiative gives the opportunity to all ISBA Mutual policyholders to assist the IBF in furthering its mission of closing the gap in the civil justice system and assisting lawyers in need. The program allows ISBA Mutual policyholders to donate part or all of their dividend to the IBF upon annual renewal of their policy. Members who contribute a portion of their dividend will be enlisted in the ISBA Mutual Giving Circle while members who donate their entire dividend to the IBF will join the exclusive 100% Club. For their generous contributions, all members will receive recognition on the IBF and ISBA Mutual websites and on the ISBA blog Illinois Lawyer Now, in addition to a certificate of recognition. Members of the 100% Club also receive quarterly recognition in the Illinois Bar Journal as well as recognition in the 20 S. Clark Street offices.

    ISBA Mutual Insurance Company is an Illinois malpractice insurance company created by lawyers, run by lawyers, for lawyers. Established in 1988 by the leadership of the Illinois State Bar Association, ISBA Mutual ensures Illinois lawyers have equal access to quality and fair malpractice insurance.

  • May 31, 2017 | ISBA News
    ISBA Mutual Giving Circle

    The ISBA Mutual Insurance Company has partnered with the Illinois Bar Foundation to create the ISBA Mutual Giving Circle. This program allows ISBA Mutual policyholders to donate all or part of their dividend to support the mission of the IBF. For more information on joining the ISBA Mutual Giving Circle, contact the Illinois Bar Foundation at (312) 726-6072 or IBFinfo@isba.org.

  • May 23, 2017 | Events
    Illinois Bar Foundation to Host McHenry County Fellows Reception

    Join the Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation for the McHenry County Fellows Reception on Tuesday, June 27 from 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Woodstock Country Club, 10310 Country Club Rd., Bull Valley, IL 60098. The event will honor Herbert H. Franks (Franks Gerkin McKenna) and posthumously honor H. Joseph Gitlin (The Gitlin Law Firm) for their leadership and dedication to the law.

    Tickets are $50 per person. Tickets and sponsorships are available here or can be purchased by calling the Foundation at 312-726-6072.

    The proceeds from this event will help the Foundation further its mission to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means; assist lawyers who have fallen on hard times; and provide legal Fellowships to recent law school graduates. For more information, please call 312-726-6072 or visit https://www.illinoisbarfoundation.org/mchenry-county-fellows-reception.

    Thank you to the McHenry County Fellows Reception Committee

    Hon. Michael J. Chmiel

    Sandra Crawford

    Susan M. Goldberg

    Paulette M. Gray

    Lisa M. Nyuli

    Mary F. Petruchius

    Thank you to our generous sponsors!

    Benefactor Sponsors

    Perry J. Browder

    Paulette Gitlin

    The Gitlin Law Firm & Michael C. Poper

    Simmons Hanly Conroy

    Friend Sponsors

  • March 29, 2017 | Events
    Illinois Bar Foundation to Host Rock Island County Fellows Reception

    Join the Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation and the Rock Island County Bar Association for the Rock Island County Fellows Reception on Thursday, April 27 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Oakwood Country Club, 1067 U.S. 6, Coal Valley, IL 61240.

    The event will posthumously honor Martin H. Katz (Katz Nowinski) and honor Robert T. Park (Califf & Harper, P.C.) for their leadership and dedication to the law.

    For RICO Bar Association members, tickets are complimentary and for non-RICO Bar Association members, tickets are $25 each. To reserve or purchase tickets, please call 309-762-3643 or email ricobar@churchillfirm.com.

    The proceeds from this event will help the Foundation further its mission to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means; assist lawyers who have fallen on hard times; and provide legal Fellowships to recent law school graduates. For sponsorship information, please call 312-726-6072 or visit https://www.illinoisbarfoundation.org/rock-island-reception.

    Thank you to our generous sponsors!

    Benefactor Sponsors

    Katz Nowinski, P.C. 

    Shawn S. Kasserman

    Michael J. Warner, Warner & Zimmerle

    Patron Sponsors