The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Pro Bono Week

  • October 6, 2014 | Practice News
    Celebrate Pro Bono Week by taking the Pro Bono Pledge

    The Illinois State Bar Association, along with the ISBA Delivery of Legal Services Committee, is proud to participate in this year’s National Celebrate Pro Bono Week from October 19 through October 25, 2014, and invites all ISBA members to get involved.  

    One of the most fundamental American values is that we are all equal in the eyes of the law and the justice system, regardless of who we are, where we are from, or how much money we have. However, the justice system only works when people have access to the legal assistance they need.

    National Celebrate Pro Bono Week aims to expand the delivery of pro bono legal services and increase access to justice. At a time when so many Illinois families are struggling, legal services can make a real difference in people’s lives.

    ISBA members are urged to get into the pro bono spirit and sign the ISBA Pro Bono Partnership Pledge, encouraging attorneys to incorporate or increase pro bono services in their practice. If you are able, please donate the time to accept a new pro bono client; or consider making a financial contribution to an Illinois legal aid provider in your area.

    Members are also encouraged to take advantage of a CLE program on Friday, October 24, in Joliet titled “Pro Bono Palooza: Family Law, Employment Law, and Ethics.” This program provides an opportunity for members to learn the basics of employment law and be introduced to more complex financial issues arising in divorces. Attendance is free to all attendees who commit to taking just one pro bono case.

  • October 24, 2013 | Events
    Over 140 lawyers honored at 3rd Circuit Pro Bono Luncheon

    An Honor Roll of more than 140 lawyers in the 3rd Circuit (Madison and Bond counties) were honored at a Pro Bono Luncheon on October 22 in Edwardsville.

    From left: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier served as guest speaker; Chief Judge of the 3rd Circuit, David Hylla, welcomed a roomful of attendees; Judge Barbara Crowder chairs the 3rd Circuit Pro Bono Committee, the first to be formed in the state, and is secretary of ISBA's Delivery of Legal Services Committee; and Lois Wood, executive director of Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, is chair of ISBA's Delivery of Legal Services Committee.

    1 comment (Most recent October 24, 2013)
  • October 21, 2013 | Practice News
    ISBA proud to participate in National Celebrate Pro Bono Week

    The Illinois State Bar Association, along with the ISBA Delivery of Legal Services Committee, is proud to participate in this year's National Celebrate Pro Bono Week from October 20 through October 26, 2013, and invites all ISBA members to get involved.

    National Celebrate Pro Bono Week aims to expand the delivery of pro bono legal services and increase access to justice.  At a time when so many Illinois families are struggling, legal services can make a real difference in people's lives.  I call on all ISBA members to get into the pro bono spirit and consider incorporating or increasing pro bono services in your practice. If you are able, please donate the time to accept a new pro bono client; or consider making a financial contribution to an Illinois legal aid provider in your area.

    I also encourage you to take advantage of our Pro Bono Bootcamp, a CLE program in Rockford, IL on Friday, October 25.  This program is free to all attendees who commit to taking just one pro bono case.  For more information, please visit: http://www.isba.org/cle/2013/10/25/probonobootcamp. 

  • October 15, 2013 | Practice News
    National Pro Bono Week — Illinois attorneys celebrate and promote pro bono opportunities

    By Michele Miller

    Attorneys throughout Illinois will commemorate National Pro Bono week from Oct. 21-25, 2013 in a variety of ways -- from CLE opportunities to social events to a new online system for attorneys to find volunteer legal assignments. 

  • October 26, 2011 | People | Events
    Madison County Bar Association kicks off Pro Bono Week with luncheon

    One hundred fifty members of the Madison County Bar were honored Tuesday at a Pro Bono Luncheon in Edwardsville sponsored by Heyl, Royster, The Simmons Firm, and the Madison County Bar Association. Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier, 3rd Circuit Chief Judge Ann Callis, and 3rd Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder praised the volunteers for accepting pro bono cases through the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation.
     
    Among volunteers were Billie Johnson of Johnson and Anderson in Edwardsville, Amy Garrett of The Simmons Firm, and Bonnie Levo of Levo and Donahoo in Troy, joined by Joan Spiegel, pro bono coordinator of Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance, Madison County Bar President Ron Foster, and Judge Crowder.
     
    The event was held to coincide with national Pro Bono Week activities.
     

  • October 23, 2011 | Practice News
    Pro Bono Proud: Celebrate National Pro Bono Week

    By Hon. Barbara Crowder

    Do you pro bono? If so, show you are “Pro Bono Proud” during National Pro Bono Week by attending a celebratory event. If not, why not? More opportunities abound to find a pro bono project that meets your time and abilities than ever before. And even more ways to pro bono may be coming to a circuit near you.

    National Pro Bono Week is October 23 through 29, 2011. The ISBA through the Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services joins with the ABA to ask all bar associations and lawyers to participate both by performing pro bono work and by joining in the celebrations. Help showcase the efforts of the great lawyers who volunteer and the range of services available for those who need them.

    How? Pass a resolution in your local bar group to join those being passed throughout the nation lauding the efforts of pro bono attorneys. Then publicize it! A sample resolution is available for use as a draft. Write letters to the editors of local newspapers to discuss the programs available and to promote the good works of the volunteers. A sample letter to the editor is also available to use as a draft to put information about local pro bono efforts before the public. Finally, host a reception thanking the lawyers who do pro bono work and urging the others to sign up for some of the new programs that are being introduced.

  • October 25, 2010 | Practice News | ISBA News
    National Pro Bono Week kicks off today

    One of our nation's guiding principles is "Justice For All". But for many of our fellow Americans, the promise of equal access to justice has not been fulfilled. In an effort to bridge the "Justice Gap", ISBA President Mark Hassakis is encouraging ISBA members to consider performing some Pro Bono work. If you can’t afford to donate the time, consider donating money instead. There is no better time to start than during National Pro Bono Celebration Week, which kicks off today. The ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services has a wonderful website where you can learn more - www.isba.org/probono.   In addition, ISBA is providing members the opportunity to learn pro bono basics and earn CLE credit on a variety of topics including family law and juvenile justice.

  • September 22, 2010 | Practice News
    Spotlight on pro bono: Lawyers throughout Illinois are making plans to celebrate National Pro Bono Week

    By Ramona Sullivan

    The first annual National Pro Bono Celebration took place in the fall of 2009. The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service has scheduled the second annual Pro Bono Week for October 24 through October 30, 2010. The ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services is asking individual lawyers, law schools, and bar associations throughout Illinois to participate in this coordinated, national effort.

  • October 26, 2009 | ISBA News
    ISBA celebrates National Pro Bono Week 2009

    Times are tough. To paraphrase the great philosopher Pogo, the legal profession is confronted with insurmountable opportunities. Now is a great time for all ISBA members to take on some Pro Bono work. If you can't afford to donate the time, consider donating money instead. There is no better time to start because this is National Pro Bono Celebration Week. The ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services has a wonderful website where you can learn more - http://www.isba.org/probono/. I encourage you to help the Bar of Illinois do even more for the citizens of the state. Sincerely, John O'Brien ISBA President