All lawyers in Illinois can expect to receive their annual ARDC registration statements in October, which again will include questions about your pro bono work and related financial contributions over the past year pursuant to the pro bono reporting requirement adopted by the Supreme Court in 2006.  If you haven’t taken a pro bono case or made a financial contribution yet this year, it’s not too late.  There’s still time for you to get involved and contribute before you complete your registration. 

Below is a summary of the rule’s requirements and the resources available to help you do your part.  

Summary of the Rule

As the Comments to the amended Rule 756(f) underscore, the reporting requirement is intended to serve as an annual reminder to Illinois lawyers that pro bono legal service is an integral part of a lawyer’s professionalism. 

Rule 756(f) requires all attorneys licensed in Illinois to report, in connection with the attorney's annual ARDC registration, pro bono legal services provided and qualified monetary contributions made during the preceding 12 months.

Supreme Court Rule 756(f) contains a broad definition that illustrates four distinct ways in which lawyers can use their unique training, experience and skills to help the public on a pro bono basis. Under the rule, “pro bono legal services” include (a) legal services to a person of limited means; (b) legal services to an organization designed to address the needs of persons of limited means; (c) legal services to certain charitable, religious, civic, or community organizations; and (d) pro bono training intended to benefit legal service organizations or lawyers who provide pro bono services.  According to Rule 756(f), "persons of limited means" are not only those persons with household incomes below the federal poverty standard but also those persons frequently referred to as the “working poor." 

The rule also encourages attorneys to make financial contributions “to an organization that provides legal services to persons of limited means or which contributes financial support to such an organization.” 

The reporting requirement consists of two questions that have been added to the annual Illinois ARDC registration form, one that asks about pro bono hours and one that asks about financial support.  All attorneys must respond to both questions, even if they did not perform any pro bono work or make a qualified monetary contribution in the preceding 12 months.  But if you haven’t yet volunteered your time or made a donation, there’s still time and it’s easy to do so!

Financial Contributions Under the Rule

Providing your financial support for local legal aid organizations is just as important an investment as donating your time, as lawyers depend on good legal aid organizations to be their partners in pro bono work.  Legal aid organizations provide the necessary “infrastructure” to support pro bono work for area lawyers and law firms (i.e., pro bono programs with solid screening, referral, training and support functions for volunteers).  Legal aid programs also provide critical legal assistance to the most vulnerable members of our community in matters where pro bono is not a practical solution.

 Lawyers can make qualifying contributions under the Rule to The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF), which supports all of the major pro bono and legal aid organizations serving the Chicago area, and by contributing directly to one of these many outstanding organizations.  A list of these organizations is attached.  For those with offices outside of Cook County, more information on complying with the rule is available at www.IllinoisProBono.org. 

Pro Bono Resources

There are a number of helpful resources helpful resources for attorneys who want to do pro bono work but aren’t sure where to start.  A summary of three great resources that can help you get started is attached.   Also, visit the CBF's Pro Bono Opportunities page, the CBF/PILI Pro Bono Initiative and  IllinoisProBono.org for more information.

Additional Questions about the Rule

 The CBF is here to help you with other questions about the Rule as well.  Feel free to contact CBF Associate Director Dina Merrell at 312-554-1206 or dmerrell@chicagobar.org.