June 25, 2025
Thousands of lawyers and legal professionals throughout the Chicago area have already taken the call to action from 2025 Campaign Chair Krist Werling to heart by putting their money where their oaths are. Their leadership and generous support will help many thousands of Chicagoans in need receive critical legal assistance and help make our community a fairer and better place for all.
Many of the more than 130 participating firms and companies have reported new internal records or are seeing solid increases with their campaigns this year. An early highlight is that the following ten law firms have already achieved 100% participation:
- Elrod Friedman LLP
- Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
- Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C.
- Honigman LLP
- King & Spalding LLP
- Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP
- McGuireWoods LLP
- Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
- Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
- Venable LLP
Furthermore, CBF staff and representatives from our legal aid partners have attended 17 campaign events so far this year, hosted by participating firms and organizations. These events included lunch & learns, happy hours, CLEs, and internal competitions to promote the Campaign and for our legal aid partners to share their stories as examples of the powerful impact the Campaign has on our community. Below are a few of the events that stood out for combining doing good with having fun:
(Disclaimer: No one was harmed in the making of these events, and no internships were lost).
Akerman LLP – Mini-Golf Tournament
Pictured from top to bottom: David Bond and Santiago Lopez, the winning duo of the mini-golf tournament; Akerman attorneys enjoying a presentation by a representative from one of the legal aid organizations supported by the Investing in Justice Campaign; Julie Justicz (sharing her work as Executive Director of Legal Council for Health Justice).
Monahan Law Group, LLC – The Hot Ones
Pictured from left to right: John Clucas (doing the “Hot Ones” challenge based on the hit talk show after his firm met their campaign goal); Campaign giving levels and their associated hot sauces.
Troutman Pepper Locke – Pie Throwing
Pictured from left to right: Summer Associate (MVP pie thrower: “I hope that I didn’t just lose my job.”); Kids (“Wow, we can’t wait to do that to our mom.”); Simon Fleischmann (after being pied: “It felt like a cold water plunge.”); Andrea Verney Kerstein (Chicago Office Managing Partner whose kids were about to have the best bring-your-kids-to-work day); Anna Lee (after she got pied the first time: “Was that all?” She was then promptly pied again.); Matt Rupp (when he was asked how the pie on his face tasted like, “It tastes like justice.”); Simon (before getting pied: “I don’t need a poncho.”); Batul Ather (starting the first bidding war: “How much do I hear to pie Simon?”).