PILI's Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees strive to increase equal access to justice by promoting and enhancing pro bono legal services within a specific judicial circuit by:

• Raising awareness of the need for free or low-cost legal services;
• Identifying and reducing barriers to providing free or low-cost legal services;
• Promoting pro bono legal services and recruiting attorneys and legal professionals to participate in existing pro bono programs;
• Identifying gaps in the delivery of legal services to low-income individuals and families and developing innovative approaches to filling those gaps through pro bono; and
• Recognizing the pro bono contributions of attorneys and legal professionals.

Each Committee consists of members of the judiciary as well as pro bono leaders from local law firms, corporations, bar associations, and public interest law organizations. All of the Committees differ in size and their goals vary depending on the local make-up of the circuit.

PILI has launched Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees in the following circuits. Follow the link to learn more about each Committee, the membership, current projects and upcoming events within the circuit:

First Circuit »
Second Circuit »
Third Circuit »
Fifth Circuit »
Sixth Circuit »
Tenth Circuit »
Eleventh Circuit »
Fourteenth Circuit »
Eighteenth Circuit »
Twentieth Circuit »
Twenty-Third Circuit »

PILI’s Pro Bono Pledge is being launched through our Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees, in recognition of the responsibility of all members of the legal profession – from corporate lawyers to law firm lawyers to solo practitioners to legal staff – to increase access to our legal system. The Pledge has been launched in the Third, Fifth, Sixth, Tenth, Eleventh and Fourteenth Judicial Circuits.

For more information about PILI's Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees, contact PILI Executive Director Michael Bergmann by email or by phone at 312-832-5129.

Upcoming Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Events:

• Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon

  October 18th, 2022 - 11:45 am, at Leclaire Room at Lewis and Clark Community College
  The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the efforts local pro bono volunteers and celebrate its Pro Bono Service Award Recipient. The Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon will be held on October 18, 2022 in Edwardsville.

• First Judicial Circuit Celebrate the Pro Bono Virtual CLE

  October 18th, 2022 - 4:00 pm, at SIU School of Law
  The First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers in increasing access to justice. This event will include a 1.0 hour CLE program followed by a reception to celebrate pro bono service of local attorneys.

• Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Spirit of Pro Bono Breakfast

  October 24th, 2022 - 8:30 am, at DuPage Judicial Center - Attorney Resource Center
  The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate the Pro Bono Services award recipient. The event will be held on Monday, October 24th at 8:30 a.m. at the ARC.

• Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 24th, 2022 - 5:30 pm, at Renaissance Room at the Janssen Law Center
  The Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate its Pro Bono Service Award Recipient. The event will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022.

• Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Week Dinner

  October 25th, 2022 - 5:30 pm, at Mattoon Country Club
  The Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and to celebrate the Pro Bono Service Award Recipients. This in-person event will be held on Tuesday, October 25th at Mattoon Country Club at 5:30 p.m.

• Sixth Judicial Circuit CLE & Awards Presentation

  October 27th, 2022 - 11:45 am, at Regent Ballroom
  The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this CLE program at which it will also commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and to celebrate the Community Legal Services Award recipient. This program will be held on Thursday, October 27th beginning at 11:45 a.m.

• Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 27th, 2022 - 5:30 pm, at The Axis Moline Hotel
  The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee hosts this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of pro bono volunteers to expand and enhance access to justice in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.

• Second Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono CLE

  November 4th, 2022 - 2:00 pm, at Virtual Event
  The Second Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week. Attendees will receive 2.0 hours of Illinois MCLE Professional Responsibility Credit and learn about a virtual pro bono opportunity to help those in need.

• Twentieth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Breakfast

  November 18th, 2022 - 8:00 am, at Doubletree
  The Twentieth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate the Land of Lincoln Pro Bono Award recipient.