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.
 

Several Illinois judicial circuit pro bono committees, in conjunction with Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) and local legal aid providers, have organized events for Pro Bono week. In Peoria, the Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, PSLS, and PILI will present awards recognizing outstanding pro bono work in the circuit at the inaugural Celebrate Pro Bono Reception on Monday, October 20, 2014 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Caterpillar Visitor Center.  The Honorable Thomas L. Kilbride, Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, will deliver remarks.  The law firms, attorneys, and corporations that have signed the Tenth Judicial Circuit Committee’s Pro Bono Pledge will also be recognized at this event. 

Lewis and Clark Community College in Edwardsville will be the location for the third annual Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Luncheon at noon on Tuesday, October 21, 2014.  James M. Lestikow, President of the Illinois Bar Foundation, will deliver remarks and awards will be presented for outstanding pro bono contributions in the circuit. Attorneys, law firms and corporations that have signed the Third Judicial Circuit Committee’s Pro Bono Pledge will also be recognized at this event.  This event is co-sponsored by the Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, Land of Lincoln Legal Services Foundation and PILI.
 

Join the PSLS Kankakee office for its fourth annual free CLE in honor of Celebrate Pro Bono Week on Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the Kankakee Public Library.  Scheduled topics are:  Immigration Basics, the New Power of Attorney for Healthcare, and Why Simple Cases Are Complicated by Domestic Violence: Working with Victims/Survivors.  Approval is pending for 2.0 general MCLE hours and 1.0 hour of PMCLE credit.  In exchange for free CLE, participants in private practice will be asked to accept one pro bono case from PSLS.

The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, Champaign County Bar Association, Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, and PILI will host a CLE and awards luncheon on Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM in Savoy, Illinois. The luncheon will kick off with the presentation of the Community Legal Services Award, followed by a presentation about Limited Scope Representation by David Holtermann, General Counsel of Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, and end with important information about Land of Lincoln Pro Bono Opportunities.   Attendees will earn 1.0 hours of PMCLE credit for the training, which will provide an overview of limited scope representation and the relevant Illinois rules, highlight possibilities for offering unbundled legal services, and address common questions or concerns.

The Honorable Lisa Holder White, Justice of the Fourth District Appellate Court, is the featured speaker at the third annual Pro Bono Celebration Reception and Dinner of the Fifth Judicial Circuit in Paris, Illinois on Tuesday, October 28 beginning at 5:30 PM.  The Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. and PILI will recognize those who perform pro bono work and present the 2014 Pro Bono Service Award.

On Tuesday, October 21st, join the Pro Bono Network from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at its 4th Annual Coffee at the 19th Century Club, 178 North Forest in Oak Park to celebrate and learn more about its contribution to pro bono. The Pro Bono Network is now operating from Oak Park, Hinsdale, and Roscoe Village/Lincoln Park and partners with over 10 legal-aid agencies.  This event is open to anyone interested in learning more about this grassroots organization.

The Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Bar Foundation will have several events for the Tenth Annual CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week & National Pro Bono Celebration, including a game night, Pro Bono & Community Service Fair, and Breakfast with Judges.  For more information on CBA/CBF events, please go to this link.