The Chicago Bar Foundation Law Firm Leadership Circle underscores both the integral role that Chicago’s law firms have in ensuring equal access to our justice system and the critical importance of solid leadership on these issues from the top management of the firms. While lawyers and law firms support a variety of charitable initiatives, lawyers have a special professional responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to our justice system. Fulfilling this responsibility requires contributions of time and money as well as a strategic use of the influence that lawyers and law firms have in our community.

The CBF Leadership Circle embodies best practices for law firms on pro bono, firm giving and related issues involving access to justice. In summary, to be a part of the CBF Law Firm Leadership Circle, firms must make the commitments set forth below.  (As reflected in the chart below higher levels of pro bono and financial commitment can qualify a firm for the Gold or Platinum levels in the Leadership Circle).

1. Adopt policies encouraging each attorney in the firm to do at least 35 hours of pro bono work each year;

2. Advocate for adequate legal aid funding from the IOLTA program; federal, state and local government; and cy pres awards;

3. Provide in-kind marketing, training and administrative support for legal aid organizations;

4. Provide firm financial support for legal aid organizations serving the Chicago area in an amount equivalent to at least $300 per lawyer in the firm’s Chicago office each year;

5. Participate in the annual CBF Investing in Justice Campaign and match contributions from individual attorneys in whole or in part; and

6. Strive to support Public Interest Law Fellowships, Rotations and Internships.

 

	Annual Firm Contribution	Annual Pro Bono Aspirational Commitment	Investing in Justice Campaign	Other Leadership Circle Commitments
Silver	$300 or more per attorney	35 hours or more per attorney	X	X
Gold	$600 or more per attorney	50 hours or more per attorney	X	X
Platinum	$1000 or more per attorney	50+ hours per attorney	X	X