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:

• Second Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Meeting

  September 23rd, 2021 - 12:00 pm, at Virtual Event
  The Second Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.

• DuPage Expungement Clinic

  October 2nd, 2021 - 9:30 am, at DuPage County Administration Building
  The DuPage Expungement Clinic will provide free legal assistance to individuals seeking to clear their criminal record. Volunteers will consult with participants on available options for relief, prepare petitions to expunge and/or seal eligible records, and provide guidance on navigating the process from start to finish.

• Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Meeting

  October 7th, 2021 - 12:00 pm, at Live Webcast
  The Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, October 7th at noon.

• First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Meeting

  October 8th, 2021 - 11:00 am, at Virtual Event
  The First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will meet virtually on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

• Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Spirit of Pro Bono Breakfast

  October 25th, 2021 - 8:30 am, at
  The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will showcase available pro bono opportunities and present the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service Award.

• Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Event

  October 25th, 2021 - 5:30 pm, at
  The Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee hosts this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of Pro Bono Pledge Signatories and Pro Bono Service Award Recipients to expand and enhance access to justice in the Tenth Judicial Circuit.

• Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon

  October 26th, 2021 - 11:45 am, at
  The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee hosts this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognizes the efforts of Pro Bono Pledge Signatories and Pro Bono Service Award Recipients to expand and enhance access to justice in the Third Judicial Circuit.

• Sixth Judicial Circuit CLE Program & Awards Presentation

  October 28th, 2021 - 11:45 am, at
  The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee hosts this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of Pro Bono Pledge Signatories and its Community Legal Services Award Recipient.

• Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Dinner

  October 28th, 2021 - 5:30 pm, at Danville Country Club
  The Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee hosts this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognized the efforts of Pro Bono Pledge Signatories and Pro Bono Service Award Recipients to expand and enhance access to justice in the Fifth Judicial Circuit.

• Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Meeting

  November 3rd, 2021 - 12:00 pm, at Virtual Event
  The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.

• Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Meeting

  November 16th, 2021 - 8:30 am, at Virtual Event
  The Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.

• Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Meeting

  November 17th, 2021 - 12:00 pm, at Virtual Event
  The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at noon.

• Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Meeting

  December 7th, 2021 - 12:00 pm, at Virtual Event
  The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at noon.

• Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Meeting

  December 9th, 2021 - 12:00 pm, at Virtual Event
  The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will meet on Thursday, December 9th at noon.