Pro Bono Week 2014 Recap

November 3, 2014

The Chicago Bar Association and the CBF co-sponsored the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Pro Bono Week from October 20-24, 2014, with the theme of Lifting Lives, Strengthening Access.  Margaret C. Benson, the Executive Director of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, and the Honorable Michael B. Hyman, a Justice on the First District Appellate Court, led the 10th Anniversary Celebration.  E. Lynn Grayson, a Partner at Jenner & Block LLP, and Matthew A. Passen, a Partner at Passen Law Group, co-chaired the Week.

Pro Bono Week kicked off with a special video message from our 10th Anniversary Celebration Co-Chairs.

Also on Monday, twelve teams of pro bono barristers went head-to-head in a battle of the pro bono wits at Joe’s on Weed St.  Benjamin C. Weinberg, the Pro Bono Partner at Dentons, served as the MC for the night and kept participants engaged with his extensive pro bono knowledge and humor.  The two winning teams €“ The Jeppies and The Attractive Nuisances €“ were able to designate a special $500 grant to the CBF grantee of their choice.  The night was a success and we plan on making adjustments and holding the event again next year.

The following day, attorneys and law students came together to learn tips on how to improve communication with pro bono clients at the aptly titled Lost in Translation: Improving Communication with Pro Bono Clients program.  To access tips sheets from this program, please click here.

On Thursday, more than 300 people attended the 21st Annual Pro Bono & Community Service Fair generously hosted for the first time by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.  At the Fair, which was presented by the CBA Young Lawyers Section, participants met with representatives from 42 of Chicago’s pro bono, community service, and mentoring organizations and found volunteer opportunities that were right for them while networking with likeminded professionals.

The week ended on a strong note with a Breakfast with Judges program that was generously hosted by Jenner & Block LLP.  State and federal judges led small group discussions about pro bono resulting in a lively exchange of ideas.  Justice Hyman closed the program with a call to action for all attorneys to stay involved in pro bono year round.  It was the perfect way to end a really great 10th Anniversary Celebration Week.

Click here to read Pro Bono Week articles featured in the October issue of the CBA Record.