CBF Report January 2013
The Chicago Bar Foundation in 2012: The Year in Pictures

Your support of the CBF and the larger cause of equal access to justice has resulted in some remarkable results over the last year. Read more. . .

CBF Report November 2012
Helping Those Who Help Others

CBF Fellowships and Scholarships Make it Possible for Dedicated Advocates to Pursue and Remain in Legal Aid Careers

Enabling dedicated lawyers to pursue and remain in careers in legal aid is one of the core elements of the CBF's larger strategy to ensure equal access to justice in our community. Read more. . .

CBF Report October 2012
An Integral Piece of a Larger Puzzle, Not a Panacea

Pro Bono's Role in Access to Justice

As we approach the annual CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week and lawyers throughout the state receive their ARDC registration forms, it's a good time to reflect on the important role that pro bono plays in our profession and justice system.  Read more. .

CBF Report September 2012
CBA/CBF 14th Annual Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon Honoring Service and Dedication

The Chicago legal community honored nine outstanding pro bono and public service attorneys at The Chicago Bar Association and The Chicago Bar Foundation’s 14th Annual Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon in July. Read more. .

CBF Report July/August 2012
Making Access to Justice a Reality for Thousands of Low-Income Chicagoans

A New Record in Grants at a Time of Record Need

Fiscal year 2012 was a record year both in terms of the total grants the CBF awarded-more than $4 million-and the number of pro bono and legal aid organizations and initiatives the CBF supported-more than 40 organizations. The grants are a fundamental part of the CBF's efforts to ensure that all Chicagoans have access to justice. Read more. . .

CBF Report April/May 2012
CBF Welcomes New Director of Grants, Ryanne Easley

Ryanne Easley has joined the Chicago Bar Foundation staff as the new Director of Grants. Easley is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the CBF's Grants Program and overseeing the CBF's public interest law scholarships and fellowships. Read more. . .

CBF Report February/March 2012
The 2012 Investing in Justice Campaign

Chicago’s Legal Community Comes Together in Support of Access to Justice

As we enter the month of March, we know that a number of things we look forward to are just around the corner. For those of us who are sports fans, there is March Madness and Spring Training; for many of us, there are spring breaks and maybe a nice vacation to go with it; and for all of us, warmer weather is on the way, something we can all look forward to even after the relatively mild winter we’re just finishing. Another important happening we can all look forward to once again this March is the annual CBF Investing in Justice Campaign.  Read more. . .

CBF Report January 2012
The Year in Pictures

Highlights from The Chicago Bar Foundation in 2011

Thank you again for your support of The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) and the larger cause of equal access to justice. As a result of your many contributions over the past year, tens of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged Chicagoans are able to get critical legal advice and assistance, our community’s pro bono and legal aid system is stronger, and we’re making longer-term systemic improvements in access to justice through a variety of innovative initiatives.  Read more. . .

Murphy's Law

Pierce and Associates, Codilis & Associates, Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund (ATG) and the Law Bulletin Publishing Company recently made donations to The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) totaling $100,000 to support several pro bono and legal aid organizations that are working to help the growing number of people facing foreclosure. Read more. . .

CBF Report November 2011
Illinois JusticeCorps

Leveraging Student Volunteers to Increase Access to Justice

llinois JusticeCorps is an innovative new CBF program to strengthen existing court-based resources and increase capacity to help more people without lawyers in the Circuit Court.  Read more. . .


A Reflection on Walk a Month in My Shoes

Three Hours Well Spent

When I agreed to co-chair the CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week this October, I didn’t realize I would have the opportunity to participate in an innovative and thought-provoking program that would change the way I think about the issues of poverty and providing services to the most disadvantaged members of our society. Read more. . .