PILI Pro Bono Spotlight: VetLex Project by Jones Day

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Last November, on Veteran’s Day, Jones Day, in collaboration with the American Bar Association, announced the creation of a new national pro bono legal network aimed at helping Veterans called VetLex. VetLex will be a referral network to help veterans in need find volunteer attorneys providing free and low-cost legal services. Now, Jones Day is working with the ABA to put together a pilot program and looking for attorneys to volunteer.

The goal of VetLex is to provide veterans in need with free and low-cost legal assistance, no matter their legal issue. While there will be trainings and focus on veteran-specific issues like disability benefits claims, VetLex is meant to help veterans with all kind of civil legal issues such as family law, housing law, consumer law and more, and possibly even criminal legal issues. This means there are many opportunities for pro bono attorneys to volunteer, either within their practice area or by attending a training.

“We want to link the attorneys who want to help with the veterans who need the help,” said Tara Fumerton, a partner at Jones Day and the one heading the VetLex project in the Chicago office. “We’re looking for lawyers in a wide variety of practice areas to sign up.”

Providing veterans with legal assistance has been a focus of Jones Day’s pro bono efforts for many years. What they found was that many volunteers wanted to help provide veteran legal services, and many veterans needed pro bono legal assistance, but the two groups struggled to connect. The VetLex referral network will bring them together on a national level.

“It’s an ambitious project, but it’s an issue everyone can rally behind,” said Tara. “The support and feedback from the Chicago legal community has been great and enthusiastic.”

Attorneys at Jones Day and the ABA are now setting up a pilot program to be rolled out in the next few months. They’re currently looking for attorneys who would like to volunteer. Interested attorneys can register at www.vetlex.org. Registration is not a commitment to volunteer, but a way to express interest and receive up-to-date information about trainings and getting involved.

“So many lawyers want to volunteer their time to help our veteran’s solve their legal problems,” said Lee Ann Russo, Jones Day’s Pro Bono Coordinator for the Chicago Office and PILI Board Member. “We’re proud to help match volunteer lawyers with the veterans in need of their services through VetLex.”

There are more than 21 million veterans, and it is estimated that about 1.5 million of them live in poverty. VetLex can help make sure they have access to legal assistance when it’s needed. Tara spoke on behalf of herself and her colleagues when she said, “We’re very excited and very proud to be working on this project.”

Read more of PILI’s Pro Bono Spotlights »

PILI Board Member Spotlight: Kimball Anderson

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Kimball Anderson

Kimball is a senior partner with the global law firm Winston & Strawn LLP. Throughout his nearly 40 years as a trial lawyer, Kimball has pioneered efforts for securing accessing to justice for low income individuals. He also has led public interest organizations, served in leadership positions at his law firm, exonerated a wrongfully convicted man, successfully challenged the Illinois Death Penalty, and argued civil rights cases before the United States Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Illinois.

Kimball has only had two jobs in his life: a dishwasher at a Dairy Queen in college and attorney at Winston & Strawn, where he started working in 1977 and became partner in 1984. When the firm established a pro bono policy in 1991, Kimball became the chairman of the Pro Bono Committee.

Kimball joined PILI’s Board of Directors in 1989. From 2007 to 2008, he served as PILI’s Board President. This year, Kimball and his wife, Karen, are chairing the 40th Anniversary Awards Gala and have pledged $25,000 in support of the event.

Kimball and Karen have given back much to the community. As members of PILI’s Cornerstone Society, they fund a Law Student Internship stipend each summer. They also fund the Kimball R. Anderson & Karen Gatsis Anderson Public Interest Law Fellowship through the Chicago Bar Foundation. This fellowship awards one public interest attorney each year with a $50,000 stipend to repay their student loans. Additionally, they are involved with many nonprofits in addition to PILI, including the CBF’s Investing in Justice Campaign, CGLA, the Chicago Legal Clinic and more.

In 2016, PILI nominated Kimball and Karen for the American Fundraising Professionals “Distinguished Philanthropist” Award, which they received. Kimball has received many other awards, including the Spirit of Generosity Award from CGLA, the Cardinal Bernardin Award from the Chicago Legal Clinic and a Lifetime Achievement Award from LAF.

“Karen and I decided to chair the 40th Anniversary Awards Gala as a means of saying ‘thank you’ to everyone – the PILI Interns and Fellows, the PILI staff, and the PILI Board – for making PILI such a source of pride in the public interest community,” said Kimball.  “PILI truly makes a difference in our communities throughout the State of Illinois.  We hope that our leadership gift of $25,000 will inspire others to join us in saying ‘thanks.’”

Read more PILI Board Member Spotlights »

Individual Donors Joining in PILI’s 40th Anniversary Celebration

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The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) was founded in 1977 as the “Chicago Law Student Public Interest Internship Program.” The goal was to place law students at legal service agencies to improve their awareness of public interest law and increase legal services for the poor. The program started with 12 law student Interns earning a $1,000 summer stipend at four public interest agencies.

Now, 40 years later, PILI has not only grown the Internship Program to over 60 Interns, but has become a pro bono leader in the Illinois legal community. Through its four main programs – the Law Student Internship Program, Graduate Fellowship Program, Alumni Network and Pro Bono Initiative – PILI is working to build a legal community with a deeply rooted culture of service in Illinois.

PILI is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with a series of special events, culminating in an Anniversary Awards Gala on November 30th. PILI Board Member Kimball Anderson of Winston & Strawn and his wife, Karen, a retired attorney, will be chairing that Gala and made a substantial anniversary donation of $25,000.

“Karen and I decided to chair the 40th Anniversary Awards Gala as a means of saying ‘thank you’ to everyone – the PILI Interns and Fellows, the PILI staff, and the PILI Board – for making PILI such a source of pride in the public interest community,” said Kimball.  “PILI truly makes a difference in our communities throughout the State of Illinois.  We hope that our leadership gift of $25,000 will inspire others to join us in saying ‘thanks.’”

Others have started to pledge 40th Anniversary gifts. PILI Board President Brad Lane of Brinks Gilson & Lione and his wife, Terri, have pledged $6,000 a year over the next five years to sponsor a summer Law Student Intern.

“New attorneys in legal aid and public interest are needed now, more than ever, to advocate for the legal rights of those of limited means,” said Brad. “We hope to make it possible for an aspiring attorney to not only help those who need assistance over a summer, but also to assist that person in determining how to become a difference maker in legal aid, public interest, or pro bono service to the community over the course of a professional career.  We hope we can make a real and lasting impact for the better on our civil justice system in Illinois.”

Justice Sheila O’Brien (ret.) and her husband Judge Wayne Andersen (ret.) have also pledged $6,000 a year to support a summer PILI Intern for the next five years, echoing Brad’s desire to help law students find a career serving the public interest.

“PILI helps train young lawyers beyond the books – to see the real people involved in every case,” said retired Justice Sheila O’Brien. “It is an honor to help in PILI’s mission.”

PILI is grateful to these donors and to all those who have supported PILI’s mission over the last 40 years. We look forward to celebrating this year and to building a culture of service in the Illinois legal community for years to come.

To learn more, contact PILI Executive Director Michael Bergmann by email or 312-832-5129.

Sponsor the 40th Anniversary Awards Gala on November 30th »

Learn more about PILI’s 40 Years of Impact »

Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Hosts Free Legal Advice Clinic in Peoria

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Eight attorney and paralegal volunteers staffed a free Legal Advice Clinic on the morning of Saturday, February 11th at Prairie State Legal Services in Peoria. They provided free legal advice to close to 40 clients with family law issues, housing issues, debt issues, expungements and other civil legal matters. Clients applied for services through Prairie State Legal Services ahead of time.

“We basically provide a voice to people who are not able to advocate for themselves for a basic human needs issue,“ Denise Conklin, Managing Attorney of Praire State Legal Services.

The clinic was featured on the local news station WMBD.

For poor and underrepresented people, families and communities, financial difficulties often go hand-in-hand with legal problems. When basic fundamentals like health care, housing, food, safety and employment may be out of reach, instances of workplace discrimination, denial of benefits, disability, evictions or domestic violence might push an already struggling family over the edge.

While there is a constitutional right to legal representation in criminal matters, no such protection exists for civil legal matters. Receiving legal assistance allows people to rise out of poverty and live more healthy, prosperous and fulfilling lives. Addressing legal issues is also a critical preventative measure, keeping families and communities housed, fed, healthy and safe. Expanding and promoting the availability of civil legal aid for people who are underrepresented or living in poverty is one of the most effective ways to improve their lives and the overall well-being of a community.

Almost 33% of Illinois’ residents are low-income, with 14.3% of the total population living in poverty and 6.8% living in extreme poverty. Peoria County has an even higher poverty rate of 16.7%. At this free Legal Advice Clinic, volunteer attorneys and paralegals provided critical legal assistance to Peoria residents who are part of this vulnerable population.

This clinic was sponsored by PILI’s Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, Prairie State Legal Services, the Immigration project and the Peoria County Bar Association.

PILI’s Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee is a group comprised of lawyers and judges that strives to enhance equal access to justice by encouraging and promoting pro bono work in the Tenth Judicial Circuit, including Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark and Tazewell counties.

Learn more about the Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee »

Learn more about the Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees »

PILI Welcomes Four New Board Members

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Recently, the PILI Board of Directors elected four new members: Michael Cramer of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, Maurice Grant of Grant Law, Ann Pille of Reed Smith and Kristofer Swanson of Charles River Associates. The board also voted to elect Jim Rolfes of Reed Smith as a Life Director.

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Michael Cramer counsels and represents employers on a variety of labor and employment-related legal matters. A graduate of University of Michigan Law School, Michael was one of 29 employment lawyers nationwide named a BTI Client Service All-Star in 2015. He has been named among the Best Lawyers in America, a Leading Lawyer, and an Illinois Super Lawyer. He has served as a member of the Advisory Board and Board of Directors at CARPLS, and currently serves as Ogletree Deakins’ vice chair of the Chicago Bar Foundation Investing in Justice Campaign and on the Ogletree Deakins Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee.

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Maurice Grant is a nationally recognized and highly respected attorney, specializing in business and commercial litigation, employment, healthcare and real estate. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law and has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer and one of Illinois Leading Lawyers. He is one of PILI’s Alumni, having completed a PILI Law Student Internship in 1982 at the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities. Maurice has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Living Word Christian Center, and as a board member for the Illinois Facilities Fund, the Center for Conflict Resolution and the Evanston Symphony Orchestra. He is currently the Treasurer of the Chicago Bar Association, and is serving as one of two CBA-appointed representatives to PILI’s board this year.

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Ann Pille is a partner in Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group, and practices in the area of Commercial Restructuring & Bankruptcy and Commercial Litigation. A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, she has been named an Illinois Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine. Ann is also one of PILI’s Alumni, having served as a Graduate Fellow in 2004 at BPI. She has served on the associate board for the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law and Co-Chaired the Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section Bankruptcy Committee.

Ann is replacing Jim Rolfes of Reed Smith who was named a PILI Life Director. Jim joined the board in 1999, and served as Board President from 2010 to 2012. He has been serving as the chair of the Marketing & Communications Committee.

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Kristofer K. Swanson is the Vice President and Practice Leader of Forensic Services at Charles River Associates. He has deep experience leading high-profile forensic investigations, helping companies and their counsel reaffirm their commitment to integrity by independently responding to allegations of fraud, abuse, misconduct and non-compliance. He earned his Master’s of Business Degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Kris currently serves on the boards of the Better Government Association, the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, and on the Advisory Board of the SEC Historical Society.

PILI’s Board of Directors is led by President Brad Lane of Brinks, Gilson & Lione, and Vice President Sarah Bernstein of Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg.

See a full list of PILI’s Board Members »

Read more about PILI »

PILI Alum Andrew Vail Named to 2016 Forty Under 40

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Andrew Vail

PILI is proud to recognize Alum Andrew Vail who was named to the Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s “Forty Under 40” for 2016. This list recognizes 40 exemplary young attorneys in Illinois every year from among hundreds of nominations. Honorees are selected for their “intelligence, passion, success in the office, desire to help the community, and, most importantly, willingness to work hard at one of the Country’s most important professions.”

Andrew is a partner at Jenner & Block, where he is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department and chair of the pro bono program. He was a 2003 PILI Graduate Fellow at LAF and received PILI’s Distinguished Fellow Alumni Award in 2014.

Congratulations to Andrew and all the other 40 Under Forty!

Learn more about PILI’s Alumni Network »

Kicking-off PILI’s 40th Anniversary Celebration!

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In 2017, PILI will celebrate it’s 40th Anniversary! Throughout the year, we will mark this momentous occasion with special events and we hope you will join us in celebration.

40th Anniversary Kick-off Reception – February 9, 2017

We’re kicking-off the year with a special reception. We invite you to join us to this complimentary event on February 9th at Jones Day. Advance registration is required. See additional information and register »

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[button href=”https://pili.org/event/40th-anniversary-kick-off-reception”]Register Now[/button]

Annual Pro Bono Reception – June 21, 2017

PILI’s Annual Pro Bono Reception will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Ivy Room at Tree Studios. PILI’s Annual Pro Bono Reception celebrates the inspiring and life-changing pro bono work being done in Illinois through effective pro bono programs, innovative partnerships, and the unwavering dedication of individual attorneys and legal professionals. Learn more about this event »

40th Anniversary Awards Gala – November 30, 2017

PILI’s 40th Anniversary Awards Gala will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Palmer House Hilton. The event will start with a cocktail reception followed by a concurrent dinner and awards program. A room block with a special rate will also be available if you would like to stay at the hotel that evening. More information will be available soon. Learn more about this event »

Show Your Support for PILI

We hope you will join us as we mark our 40th Anniversary and that we can count on your support of our work. There will be many ways to get involved and support PILI’s 40-year legacy over the course of the year to come, so stay tuned. Or, you can make a gift to support our work today »

If you would like additional information about these very special celebrations or how to support PILI, please contact Executive Director Michael Bergmann by e-mail or by phone at 312-832-5129.

Volunteer with PILI!

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Volunteer with PILI! Several volunteer and pro bono opportunities are available to serve those in need in the New Year.

If you have questions about these and other PILI events, please contact Executive Director Michael Bergmann by email or by phone at 312-832-5129.

Read the 2016 Year in Review

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2016-year-in-reviewAs we wrap up 2016, don’t miss PILI’s 2016 Year in Review.  This Annual Report is a snapshot of PILI’s most recently completed fiscal year, with information about our programs, our most significant accomplishments, and all of the wonderful people who have been part of the PILI story through their participation and support.

You can read the report online, or contact us to request your very own hard copy.

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Volunteers Needed for the Legal Prep Community Law Clinic

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Legal Prep LogoThe next Legal Prep Community Law Clinic will take place on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Alumni volunteers are needed now!

[button href=”https://pili.org/event/january-legal-prep-community-law-clinic”]Sign Up to Volunteer[/button]

Once a month, PILI partners with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) and Legal Prep Charter Academies to provide the Legal Prep Community Law Clinic, a community-based clinic for the student families and neighbors of Legal Prep in the Garfield Park neighborhood.

This is a great opportunity for PILI Alumni volunteers to help families in an underserved community address critical legal needs like eviction, family law, consumer debt, foreclosure, adult/child guardianship, and more. With the support of CVLS, PILI Alumni volunteers will have the opportunity to provide pro bono services on all civil, non-fee generating, non-class action cases.

Learn more about the PILI Alumni Network’s Legal Prep Community Law Clinic, or sign up to volunteer on January 17th now.

Please contact PILI Executive Director Michael Bergmann by e-mail or by phone at 312-832-5129 with any questions.