At the Illinois Forum on Pro Bono, the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will bring together a cross-section of pro bono stakeholders from our legal community to discuss timely pro bono issues and share pro bono best practices. This event is cosponsored by the DuPage County Bar Association, DuPage Legal Aid and Prairie State legal Services.
2017 Forum Agenda
3:00 p.m. – Panel Discussion: The Future of Pro Bono & How You Can Help
Almost 37% of Illinois’ citizens are low-income, with 6.3% of the total population living in extreme poverty. This panel discussion will explore the need for free legal assistance for individuals and families living in poverty in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, ways in which the community is pulling together to try to address that need, rules of professional conduct that are relevant to pro bono practice, and strategies for making a difference.
Presenters:
- Michael G. Bergmann, Executive Director, Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)
- Honorable Robert Gibson, Judge, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit
- Cecilia Najera, Legal Aid Director, DuPage Bar Legal Aid Service
- Marisa Wiesman, Managing Attorney, Prairie State Legal Services
4:00 p.m. – Small Group Discussion
Following the panel discussion, attendees will participate in small group discussions focused on identifying barriers and obstacles to pro bono, sharing best practices, and developing strategies to enhance and expand pro bono.
5:00 p.m. – Networking Reception
Participants are invited to attend a networking reception immediately following the program to celebrate the significant pro bono being done in DuPage County, and the launch of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee.
Attendees will receive 2.0 hours of Illinois MCLE professional responsibility credit for this free program. This program is part of PILI’s Forum on Pro Bono Series.
Advance registration is required at www.dcba.org/event/ProBonoWS.
Learn more about the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee »