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Delivery of Legal Services Spotlight on pro bono

  • November 23, 2015 | Practice News
    Spotlight on Pro Bono: Veterans Legal Corps tackles unmet need for nation's veterans

    By Susan Zielke, ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services

    As we celebrate Veterans Day, it is time to remember and thank the men and women who have served our country. According to the U.S. Department of Justice Access to Justice Initiative, there are more than 22 million U.S. veterans and 1.4 million service members, many of whom face serious challenges dealing with unemployment, health problems, and homelessness. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Project CHALENG survey consistently finds that four of the top 10 unmet needs of homeless veterans involve legal assistance for eviction and foreclosure prevention, child support issues, driver’s license restoration, and outstanding warrants and fines. Other top 10 unmet needs also have a legal component such as family reconciliation assistance and financial guardianships.

  • October 7, 2015 | Practice News | ISBA News
    It’s Time to Celebrate Pro Bono!

    National Celebration of Pro Bono is October 26-30, 2015

    By Michael G. Bergmann, ISBA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services, Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative 

    Coordinated by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Pro Bono Week is intended to inspire even greater pro bono participation by lawyers throughout the nation. This initiative provides an opportunity for legal organizations across the country to collaboratively commemorate the vitally important contributions of America's lawyers and to recruit and train the many additional volunteers required to meet the growing demand. The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service undertook this initiative to provide a format for showcasing the incredible difference that pro bono lawyers make to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve.

  • September 9, 2015 | Practice News
    Retired, Inactive or In-house? You can do pro bono

    By Marisa Wiesman

    Are you a retired, inactive, out-of-state, or in-house corporate attorney? Did you know that you can perform pro bono services in Illinois? 

    Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(k) (formerly 756(j)) allows retired, inactive, and out-of-state attorneys to perform pro bono services through a not-for-profit legal services organization, governmental entity, law school clinical program, or bar association sponsoring entity. (For a partial list of sponsoring entities, click here.). The process is simple: the pro bono attorney and sponsoring entity file a pro bono authorization form with the ARDC; the pro bono attorney completes any training the sponsoring entity requires; and the pro bono attorney and sponsoring entity annually file a pro bono renewal form with the ARDC.  It’s that easy!

    1 comment (Most recent September 10, 2015)
  • August 18, 2015 | Practice News
    Volunteering has never been so easy

    ISBA Spotlight on Pro Bono

    By Susan LePeau DeCostanza, Staff Attorney, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

    Summer is a time when we may flex our work schedule a bit and take some time off to enjoy the weather with family and friends. Summer is also a great time to start thinking creatively about that pro bono or volunteer project you’ve been meaning to get started this year. With information about so many pro bono opportunities online and at our fingertips, volunteering has never been so easy! 

  • June 30, 2015 | Practice News | ISBA News
    Selfies and Other New Trends in Court Terminology

    By Judge Barb Crowder, Edwardsville

    There is now a book entirely of “selfies” (photographs one takes of oneself). The concept has been around since the 1800s, yet has taken over as a new term that everyone understands. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” (Romeo and Juliet). William Shakespeare may have been among those who first pointed out that the names of things do not affect what they are but even he recognized that a turn of phrase can make a concept instantly understandable. 

  • December 2, 2014 | Practice News | ISBA News
    Veterans Advocacy as “thank you for your service”

    By E. Alex Espinoza, Equal Justice Works/AmeriCorps, Veterans Legal Corps - Legal Fellow, U.S. Army Reserve

    Each Veteran’s Day, our nation pauses to thank our 19.6 million living veterans. As an Iraq War veteran, I can attest to the awkwardness of responding to “thank you for your service.” At best, veterans don’t know how to respond. A response of “you’re welcome” seems too self-serving. At worst, “thank you for your service” is considered only lip service; a required response similar to “gesundheit” or “bless you” after a sneeze.

    1 comment (Most recent December 4, 2014)
  • November 4, 2014 | Practice News
    In service of those who served us: Veterans legal assistance programs

    By Judge Barb Crowder, Edwardsville

    The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee continues to expand its services to veterans in honor of their service to this country. Madison County has a large number of veterans, many of whom are in reduced circumstances or homeless. Madison County started the first Veterans’ Court in the State of Illinois to help veterans navigate the criminal justice by connecting them with volunteers and with social services to assist with the problems that led many of the veterans to criminal court. The Pro Bono committee has focused on legal advice for civil court problems being experienced by veterans and has provided legal advice to veterans near each Veterans Day. For 2014, the Third Circuit Pro Bono Committee and the Madison County Veterans Assistance Commission are excited to announce the creation of the Third Circuit Veterans Legal Assistance Project (VLAP). The circuit’s programs for veterans have grown since the pro bono committee started in 2011. It provides:

  • October 20, 2014 | Events | ISBA News
    Join the fun and participate in National Celebrate Pro Bono Week events throughout Illinois!

    By Michele Miller

    Join attorneys at events all over Illinois to recognize outstanding pro bono accomplishments and educate attorneys for future pro bono work during National Celebrate Pro Bono Week 2014.

    Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) will present a live training session for the Volunteer Lawyer Courthouse Project at the Rock Island County Justice Center on Friday, October 24, 2014 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. This free session, which will also be webcast, will focus on training pro bono lawyers to provide legal representation to tenants facing eviction. Attorneys will receive 2.0 hours of MCLE credit for attending and are expected to volunteer for the project at least twice. The training will include an overview of basic landlord/tenant law, focusing on tenant rights and eviction defenses, a mock trial, as well as sample documents and relevant case law.  The Volunteer Lawyer Courthouse Project provides opportunities for volunteer attorneys, while working with PSLS, to screen clients, provide legal advice and, if necessary, negotiate a settlement with the landlord or represent the tenant at trial.
     

  • October 7, 2014 | People | ISBA News
    Peoria’s Muir a shining example for McAndrews Award

    By Michael T. O'Connor

    Robert Muir of Peoria was the 2014 recipient of the John C. McAndrews Award.  He exemplifies what this award stands for, and at 80 years of age, Attorney Muir will celebrate 50 years of practice this coming November.

  • December 3, 2013 | Practice News
    Veterans Legal Corps serves Illinois veterans

    By Emily Vock and Eric Bulman, Land of Lincoln Assistance Foundation, Champaign

    As our nation takes time to reflect on the sacrifices of veterans and celebrate their heroism, the legal community would be remiss if they did not stop to consider what we can do to give back to the men and women who have selflessly served our country.