PILI, in conjunction with The Chicago Bar Foundation, organizes and hosts two programs each year that bring together pro bono leaders from law firms, corporations, law schools and legal aid agencies to discuss timely pro bono issues and share pro bono best practices.

2010 Pro Bono Forum

The 2010 Spring Pro Bono Forum was held on May 25, 2010 at The Chicago Bar Association.  For more information about this or PILI's other pro bono programming, contact PILI's Director of Programs, Michael Bergmann, at 312-832-5129 or by e-mail.

Pro Bono 2010: The New Era of Pro Bono
What aspects of the downturn might be permanent and which are fleeting? As a result of the economic crisis, new models of delivery have emerged, firm summer associates programs have changed and billing models are evolving, law schools are facing great pressure to change and their graduates have felt the impact as well. Some of these innovative models may be here to stay – or hopefully will remain, while others may end. Hear about a variety of issues, solutions and possibilities from local and national perspectives as well as the panels’ predictions for new and emerging challenges and opportunities facing the pro bono community. Following this panel discussion, there will be roundtable discussions focusing on evaluating solutions and identifying new ideas for implementation as well as opportunities for collaboration among law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools and public interest law organizations.

Moderator:
Michael G. Bergmann, Director of Programs, Public Interest Law Initiative

Panelists:
Julie LaEace, Firmwide Pro Bono Manager, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Phillip Mohr, Deputy Director, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
Kelly Tautges, Director of Pro Bono, The Chicago Bar Foundation
Cindy Wilson, Clinical Associate Professor and Public Interest Advisor, Northwestern University School of Law

2009 Pro Bono Forum

This program on Thursday, September 24, 2009 and included a panel discussion, entitled "Advancing Pro Bono in the New Economy."  This panel discussion explored the how the recent economic downturn has affected the volunteer landscape, including various perspectives on current availability of pro bono volunteers and opportunities. The panel also explored creative ideas and solutions for maximizing the use and impact of all groups of pro bono volunteers in the new economy. Following the panel discussion, there were facilitated roundtable discussions involving pro bono leaders from law firms, corporations, law schools and public interest law organizations to further discuss the solutions and implementation.  Click here to view the program description and speakers.

Fall 2008 Pro Bono Forum

The PBI Fall 2008 Pro Bono Forum was held on Monday October 27, 2008.  The program topic was "Signing on to Signature Projects: Risks, Results, Rewards," which was followed by roundtable discussions. The Fall Forum was held in conjunction with the CBA/CBF Pro Bono Week 2008 and was co-sponsored by The Chicago Bar Foundation. Click here to view the full program agenda.  This program was webcast and will be available for archived viewing on-line through IllinoisProBono.org in the coming days.

Spring 2008 Pro Bono Forum

The PBI Spring 2008 Pro Bono Forum was held on Thursday, April 24, 2008, and was entitled "What If?  Why Not?: Exploring Pro Bono Possibilities in an Imperfect World."  The program explored a variety of hypothetical questions and scenarios through facilitated roundtable discussions to generate ideas for improving and increasing our pro bono capacity and was followed by a reception.  Over 70 representatives from law firms, law schools, corporations and legal aid organizations attended the program.

Fall 2007 Pro Bono Forum

On Monday, November 5, 2007, the second semi-annual PBI Pro Bono Forum was held at The Chicago Bar Association's Headquarters.  Over 70 representatives from aw firms, corporations, law schools and legal aid organizations attended the program.  The topic for the November 5th Forum was "Bridging the Experience Gap: Moving your volunteers beyond their zones of comfort and experience." The program included a panel discussion, roundtable discussions involving a cross-section of PBI Participants, and a reception.  View the complete agenda.  This program was webcast and is available for viewing on-line through IllinoisProBono.org.

Spring 2007 Pro Bono Forum

The PILI/CBF Pro Bono Initiative hosted a forum on pro bono at The Chicago Bar Association on April 26, 2007.  Three different panel discussions focused on issues that affect pro bono work at law firms, corporate law departments and legal aid and public interest law organizations.  Representatives from Illinois Legal Aid Online demonstrated the newly launched version of IllinoisProBono.org.  View the complete agenda. This program was webcast and is available for viewing on-line through IllinoisProBono.org.

Contact PILI's Director of Programs, Michael Bergmann, by e-mail or at 312-832-5129 for more information about the Pro Bono Forum.