Pro Bono Prospectus

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

Pro Bono Reference Guide

PILI, in conjunction with The Chicago Bar Foundation, developed the Pro Bono Reference Guide to provide Illinois corporations with direction, best practices and relevant samples to aid members of the corporation in developing or enhancing its pro bono program.

Pro Bono Initiative Program

PILI is a resource for Illinois law firms and corporations developing or enhancing pro bono programs. This pro bono consulting program fosters business cultures and legal careers that feature a commitment to public interest law and pro bono work.

Pro Bono Technical Consultations

Another key service PILI provides is delivering technical consultations to corporations wishing to establish or reinvigorate their pro bono programs. As a service to the corporation, PILI gathers a consultation team that includes representatives from other Illinois corporations that have been successful in the development and/or management of a pro bono program. To arrange a pro bono technical consultation, contact PILI's Director of Programs, Michael Bergmann, by e-mail or at 312-832-5129.

Pro Bono Case Pairing and Mentor Matching System
Working in partnership, Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) and PILI developed the Pro Bono Case Pairing and Mentor Matching System now available at www.IllinoisProBono.org. New pro bono practitioners can use the tool to be matched with more experienced pro bono practitioners willing to serve as mentors, and pro bono volunteers can connect with other pro bono volunteers to share a case or matter. Registration is free, and the system is available to attorneys, paralegals and other legal professionals who register with the site.

Click here to see the promotional brochure for the Pro Bono Case Pairing and Mentor Matching System.

PILI Pro Bono Recognition Roster

PILI seeks to recognize the noteworthy pro bono contributions of corporate legal departments throughout the state of Illinois, as well as their attorneys and staff. Congratulations to the corporations whose exemplary pro bono work has earned them a spot on our 2011 Pro Bono Recognition Roster!

PILI Corporate Roundtable Series

The Corporate Pro Bono Roundtable Series provides corporate pro bono leaders with an opportunity to network, discuss the unique pro bono challenges facing corporate attorneys and to share best practices and strategies for successful pro bono programs. Click on the above link for additional information.

PILI Illinois Forum on Pro Bono

PILI organizes the Illinois Forum on Pro Bono to bring together pro bono leaders from law firms, corporations, legal aid agencies and law schools from around the state to discuss timely pro bono issues and share pro bono best practices. Our most recent Forum, "Improving the Pro Bono Delivery Model," was held on September 14, 2011. Ideas and strategies generated at the Illinois Forum on Pro Bono will contribute to the ABA Pro Bono Summit’s ultimate goal of developing a nationally coordinated action plan for improving the pro bono legal services delivery model. Click on the above link for more information about this most recent Illinois Forum on Pro Bono. You can also click here to download discussion notes.

PILI Annual Pro Bono Reception: Celebrating Pro Bono

This is PILI’s annual opportunity to spotlight our community’s pro bono relationships and successes and the work of PILI's Pro Bono Initiative. PILI's most recent Pro Bono Reception was held on June 15, 2011. Pictures and at a list of our sponsors are available at the above link. Our next Pro Bono Reception will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. More information will be available in the spring of 2012.

PILI Annual Awards Luncheon

Each year PILI’s Annual Awards Luncheon is a celebration recognizing those performing remarkable public interest and pro bono work. The event gathers more than 450 members of the legal community to celebrate the best aspects of the profession. The 2011 PILI Annual Awards Luncheon was held on Thursday, December 1st at the Renaissance Downtown Chicago Hotel. Sponsorship opportunities are available for next year - click on the above link for more information.

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 became effective as of July 1, 2008.

Pro Bono Opportunities for Attorneys in the Chicago Area

The Chicago Bar Foundation publishes information about volunteer opportunities in a guide entitled, “Pro Bono Volunteer Opportunities for Attorneys in the Chicago Area.”  This publication is also available in print by e-mailing PILI.

For more information about PILI and its Pro Bono Initiative, contact PILI's Program Manager, Sheila Simhan, by e-mail or at 312-832-5128.