November 3, 2026
Hundreds of lawyers, law students, and other legal professionals participated in this year’s CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week programs and events, celebrating and supporting the impressive pro bono work in Chicago’s legal community throughout the year.
This year’s Pro Bono Week theme, “A More Perfect Justice System,” highlighted the need for our legal community to keep leading the way to ensure America’s founding promise of equal justice under law becomes a reality for all as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary.
Along with the great programs and events highlighted below, a special edition of the CBA Record profiled many ways lawyers can make a difference in our community right now. In addition, the Practising Law Institute (PLI) released a new podcast that shines a light on Chicago being the birthplace of Pro Bono Week back in 2005, which the ABA later expanded into what is now a national celebration throughout the country.
The annual Story Slam at Hopewell Brewing, sponsored by Lathrop GPM, again featured justice-related stories and was emceed by Ben Weinberg, Pro Bono Partner at Dentons US LLP, and Melissa Picciola, Executive Director of Legal Aid for New Entrepreneurs (LANE).
The featured CLE Program, “Pro Bono with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services: Probating a Property with a Deceased Borrower,” focused on how lawyers can help families navigate the critical intersection of probate and mortgage foreclosure litigation in cases involving deceased borrowers and is still available to view on demand.
Dentons US LLP hosted a screening of a new episode of How to Change the World, a documentary series that follows a real pro bono case to its resolution through a partnership between Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Dentons, and Paladin. You can watch the documentary here.
Thursday’s annual YLS Pro Bono & Community Service Fair, generously hosted by Skadden, drew a packed crowd of lawyers, law students, and legal professionals who were able to connect with representatives from 25 legal aid and community service programs in a welcoming and fun setting.
The week’s events finished on Friday with the Breakfast with the Judges program, which gave attendees the chance to sit down with state and federal judges—including Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. — to talk all things pro bono and brainstorm how we can work together to strengthen this important pillar of our profession.
Your Ticket to Pro Bono Throughout the Year
As we close the book on another great chapter of Pro Bono Week in Chicago, a big thanks to our co-chairs, Judge Michael T. Mullen of the Circuit Court of Cook County and Kristen Harrison of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services; this year’s generous individual, law firm, and organizational hosts; and all the current and prospective volunteers who attended one or more of this year’s events.
While this year’s Pro Bono Week is now behind us, there are many ways you can get involved in pro bono throughout the year, and the CBF is here to help. Check out the Pro Bono page on the CBF website and feel free to contact the CBF team at any time; there is no shortage of opportunities to make a difference in a way that aligns with your interests and schedule, no matter where you are in your legal career.