Pro Bono Prospectus

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

Pro Bono Reference Guide

PILI, in conjunction with The Chicago Bar Foundation, has developed the Pro Bono Reference Guide to provide Illinois law firms with direction, best practices and relevant samples to aid members of the firm in developing or enhancing their firm's pro bono program.

PILI Graduate Fellowship Program

PILI offers new law school graduates the opportunity to work 300 hours during the summer after their graduation at one of more than 50 public interest law agencies. PILI Fellowships provide the scheduling flexibility to allow Fellows to participate in a formal bar review course and take the bar exam while gaining hands-on legal experience. Nearly two dozen Chicago law firms sponsor PILI Fellows, paying the salaries of their new associates to work at public interest law agencies.

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.

Law Firm Extended Placement Program

The Law Firm Extended Placement Program is a service PILI offers to encourage law firms to provide the opportunity for firm attorneys — whether new associates or seasoned attorneys — to be placed at a public interest law organization for an extended period of time in a rotation or fellowship program. PILI provides assistance to firms in developing such programs and in identifying public interest law organizations to host their attorneys.

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.

PILI Pro Bono Recognition Roster

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

Pro Bono Technical Consultations

Another key service PILI provides is delivering technical consultations to law firms wishing to establish or reinvigorate their pro bono programs. As a service to the firm, PILI gathers a consultation team that includes representatives from other Illinois law firms 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 Executive Director, Michael Bergmann, by e-mail or at 312-832-5129.

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. The ABA’s National Pro Bono Summit will be held on October 24-25 in Washington DC and will explore ways to reinvent the paradigms used in delivering pro bono legal services nation-wide; the 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.

PILI Annual Pro Bono Reception: Celebrating Service

The Annual Pro Bono Reception is PILI's opportunity to spotlight the community’s pro bono relationships and successes and the work of PILI's Pro Bono Initiative. Our most recent Pro Bono Reception was held on June 15, 2011 at The Ivy Room at Tree Studios and was attended by over 200 members law firm and corporate attorneys, paralegals and legal secretaries, the current class of PILI Interns and Fellows, PILI Alumni and representatives from law schools and public interest law organizations from across the state of Illinois. Pictures from the event are available online, along with a list of our 2011 sponsors. Our 2012 Pro Bono Reception will be held on June 20 - check back for more details!

PILI Annual Awards Luncheon: Celebrating Service

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. In 2012, the PILI Annual Awards Luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 29, and we will be celebrating our 35th anniversary year. Click on the link above to learn more and for information about sponsorship opportunities.