Pro Bono Resources
The CBF provides training, expertise, and other pro bono resources for various stakeholders in the legal community including legal aid, law firms, corporate counsel and more. You can find many of our resources here, or contact Elise Tincher at 312.554.1207 for more information or help with specific pro bono questions.
01.
Online Pro Bono Opportunities Guide
There’s a pro bono opportunity that’s right for everyone. Search an online database of pro bono opportunities by subject matter, client type, and time commitment.
02.
CBF Corporate Pro Bono Opportunities List
A curated list of pro bono opportunities that are well suited for corporate legal departments to start and sustain successful pro bono programs.
03.
CBF Pro Bono Program Checklist
A comprehensive tool designed to help legal aid and other organizations start and sustain successful pro bono programs.
04.
Court-Based Pro Bono Programs Checklist
A version of the pro bono checklist geared towards court-based pro bono programs.
Pro Bono Rules and Reporting
- Pro Bono Reporting Information
- In-House Attorneys
- Attorneys Licensed in Other States
- Retired/Inactive Attorneys
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(f) requires all attorneys licensed in Illinois to report the amount of pro bono legal services provided and qualified monetary contributions made during their annual attorney registration.
Qualifying “pro bono legal services” include:
- legal services to a person of limited means
- legal services to an organization designed to address the needs of persons of limited means
- legal services to certain charitable, religious, civic, or community organizations
- pro bono training intended to benefit legal service organizations or lawyers who provide pro bono services
Qualifying financial contributions are those made “to an organization that provides legal services to persons of limited means or which contributes financial support to such an organization.” Contributions to the CBF qualify under the Rule, as do contributions to any of our grantees. Read more about reporting pro bono and financial contributions.
Other Helpful Websites
Attorneys who are licensed in Illinois as in-house counsel under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 716 may provide pro bono service in Illinois without any additional registration or affiliation requirements. The sample opportunities in this list have proven successful for corporate attorneys and in-house teams.
Attorneys who are licensed in another state may provide pro bono services pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(k) if they:
- File an annual form with the ARDC (download the form),
- Work with a qualified sponsoring legal aid organization or other qualified entity, and
- Participate in any training required by the sponsoring organization.
Attorneys authorized to provide pro bono services pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court 756(k) must complete an annual renewal form and submit it to the ARDC. Download the Out of State Attorney Renewal Form.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(k) allows retired and inactive attorneys to provide pro bono legal services without having to pay registration fees or meet MCLE reporting requirements as long they partner with an approved legal aid or pro bono organization. The CBF’s Toolkit for Retired and Inactive Attorneys provides more information about Rule 756 and the many ways that retired and inactive lawyers can give back and stay engaged in the legal community.
Attorneys who are retired or inactive status in Illinois may provide pro bono services pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(k) if they:
- File an annual form with the ARDC (download the form),
- Work with a qualified sponsoring legal aid organization or other qualified entity, and
- Participate in any training required by the sponsoring organization.
Attorneys authorized to provide pro bono services pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court 756(k) must complete an annual renewal form and submit it to the ARDC. Download the Inactive/Retired Renewal Form.