Attorneys and other legal professionals across the country will celebrate National Pro Bono Week from October 20 – 26. This year’s theme is “Making Justice a Reality in Our Communities.”
Pro Bono Week has been celebrated since 2009 to highlight the increasing need for pro bono services and the attorneys volunteer their time.
In 2023, 29,389 Illinois lawyers provided a total of 1,726,626 pro bono legal service hours, or an average of 59 hours per lawyer, according to the ARDC. This exceeds the ABA minimum recommendation of 50 hours per lawyer.
Interested in getting involved? Here are ways to participate in Pro Bono Week events in Illinois.
Thursday, October 17
Cheers to Volunteers: Celebrating Pro Bono Dedication
Join the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, fellow pro bono attorneys, and supporters for an evening dedicated to honoring invaluable pro bono contributions at the North Shore Distillery from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Register here.
Friday, October 18
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Happy Hour
Join the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee at Pour Bros Taproom in Bloomington from 4 to 6 p.m. This event will follow an opportunity to volunteer with Prairie State Legal Services at a Criminal Records Relief Clinic. The Clinic will be held at the Bloomington Public Library.
Monday, October 21
Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
The Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, Prairie State Legal Services, Peoria County Bar Association, and Tazewell County Bar Association will recognize local pro bono volunteers and present pro bono awards at the Renaissance Room in the Janssen Law Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court Justice Amy Lannerd will be the special guest speaker. Register here.
Legal Lunchtime: CLE & Eats at the LCBA
Join North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic at the Lake County Bar Association from 1 to 2 p.m. for a complimentary Ethics CLE session featuring Daniel Wolfe, J.D., Ph.D., Senior Director of Jury Consulting at Magna Legal Services. The session will cover “The Effective Art of Storytelling.” Register here.
Tuesday, October 22
Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon
Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet will be the special guest speaker at this event at the Leclaire Room at Lewis and Clark Community College from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Third Judicial Circuit will present the Pro Bono Service Awards to lawyers who have provided outstanding pro bono services and the Judge Barbara Crowder Pro Bono Champion Award to a courthouse staff person or member of the Judiciary who has demonstrated their support for pro bono in the courthouse on a regular basis. Register here.
Twentieth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
Join the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid at Bennie’s Pizza Pub from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to present the Joseph Bartylak Pro Bono Award. Register here.
Safeguarding Democracy: A Guide for Attorneys on Voter Rights
This hybrid event (online and in person at the Chicago Bar Association at 2 p.m.) will include a panel discussion about the current state of the law, the types of challenges that can arise for voters, and how attorneys can volunteer to help protect the right to vote through the nonpartisan Election Protection program. Register here.
Wednesday, October 23
Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford will be the special guest speaker at this event at Lakeview Grille from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will present the inaugural Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service Award. Register here.
Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Dinner
Join the Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee at the Mattoon Country Club from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to celebrate the Pro Bono Service Award Recipients.
The Coles-Cumberland Bar Association will cover the cost of their members for the dinner. Illinois Appellate Court Justice Craig H. DeArmond will be the special guest speaker at this event. Register here.
Join the Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Bar Foundation at Revolution Brewpub from 6 to 9 p.m. to hear and share stories of justice shared by volunteers from the audience. Register here.
Thursday, October 24
Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Happy Hour
Join the Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and the Champaign County Bar Association for a happy hour at Bunny’s Tavern from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee’s Community Legal Services Award will be presented at this event. Register here.
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
This reception at the Woodside Pavilion at Cantigny Golf from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. will recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate the Pro Bono Service Award recipient. Register here.
Building Bridges: Connecting to the Community Through Pro Bono
This hybrid event (online and in person at the Chicago Bar Association at 12 p.m.) will include a panel discussion about the many ways pro bono can take you out into communities in Chicago and suburbs, connecting to and helping people in need where they are, and building stronger connections with your pro bono colleagues in the process. Register here.
CBA/CBF 31st Annual Pro Bono and Community Service Fair
Join the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section and The Chicago Bar Foundation at the 31st Annual Pro Bono and Community Service Fair, hosted at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP from 5 to 7 p.m. Meet with representatives from Chicago’s legal aid, pro bono, community service, and mentoring organizations to find a pro bono or volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule, interests, and goals. Register here.
Friday, October 25
Talk with state and federal judges about pro bono over breakfast in small roundtable conversations at this breakfast at K&L Gates at 8 a.m. Register here.
Saturday, October 26
Pro Bono Naturalization Screening Clinic
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic is seeking pro bono attorneys to assist in their Naturalization Screening Clinic at the Highwood Public Library from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Attorneys will conduct legal screenings to assess the eligibility of individuals applying for U.S. citizenship. Register here.
Tuesday, October 29
Second Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Dinner
Join the Second Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers at Rare Chop House from 5 to 7 p.m. PILI will provide appetizers, and attendees will be responsible for the cost of their main course. Register here.
Wednesday, October 30
First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Celebration: Illinois Free Legal Answers Clinic
Get together with other attorneys and law students to do pro bono on Illinois Free Legal Answers in a clinic hosted at the Courtroom at Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. A light lunch will be provided. Register here.
Did we miss any events? Please add them to the comments.
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