“With malice toward none; with charity for all” was this year’s theme, drawing upon a famous quote from Abraham Lincoln and inspired by the Lincoln Bicentennial. Co-Chairs Jesse Ruiz of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and Barry C. Taylor of Equip for Equality led a distinguished committee in this year’s planning efforts, and the American Bar Association sponsored the first national pro bono celebration, inspired in part by the success of Chicago’s annual Pro Bono Week.
The week began on Monday with a special message from Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke. Justice Burke encouraged all Chicago attorneys to dedicate time to pro bono work throughout the year, not just during Pro Bono Week. Mayor Daley again issued a proclamation declaring the last week in October as Pro Bono Week in Chicago as well. On Tuesday the Illinois judiciary showed its support for pro bono at the Pro Bono Week Breakfast with Judges. Following inspiring and informative remarks from Judge Michael Hyman about the week’s theme and Abraham Lincoln’s less known pro bono work in his days as a practicing lawyer, members of the Illinois Judges Association led interactive table discussions about how we can improve and expand our legal community’s pro bono efforts.
The centerpiece of Pro Bono Week again was the 16th Annual CBA Young Lawyers Section Pro Bono and Community Service Fair on Thursday, which was generously hosted by the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. A crowd of nearly 400 lawyers, law students and other dedicated professionals attended the Fair, and a new record of 49 pro bono, community service and youth mentoring organizations participated this year. The Fair is an unparalleled opportunity for lawyers seeking pro bono and volunteer opportunities to meet representatives from Chicago’s legal aid and community service organizations in a casual and fun setting.
Educational events for both lawyers and the public rounded out the slate of Pro Bono Week events. More than 100 attorneys attended complimentary MCLE seminars on two of the many issue areas where pro bono attorneys are needed. One session taught participants how to represent low income tax payers in a tax controversy and the other session explained how to help individuals obtain relief from criminal records through expungement, sealing or pardon. Volunteer lawyers also presented four sessions for the public at libraries throughout the City on “How to Find a Lawyer If You Can’t Afford One.” Finally, the October issue of the CBA Record again featured a series of articles on various pro bono related issues.
