The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service Award will be presented to one or more lawyers practicing in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit who have provided outstanding pro bono services to low-income individuals or charitable organizations in the last year. Nominations for these awards are now open.

You may submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague, and you may also submit multiple nominations. The awards are intended to recognize pro bono legal services rendered in the last twelve months. The pro bono work may be performed through a legal aid agency or on your own so long as it meets the definition provided for in Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756*. It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete the nomination form.

Award recipients will be chosen by the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and announced in late September. They will be recognized at the Celebrate Pro Bono Reception on Thursday, October 15th.

The nominations deadline is Friday, September 4th. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jessica Schneider by email or at 312-832-5125.

To see past years award recipients, scroll to the bottom of the page.

Can't see the nomination form? Click here »

*Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(f) defines pro bono as: legal services without charge or expectation of a fee to persons of limited means; legal services to charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental or educational organizations in matters designed to address the needs of persons of limited means; legal services to charitable, religious, civic or community organizations in furtherance of their organizational purpose; or training intended to benefit legal aid organizations or lawyers who provide pro bono services. According to Rule 756(f), "persons of limited means" are not only those persons with household incomes below the federal poverty standard but also those persons frequently referred to as the “working poor.”

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS:

David Clark (2025)

David Clark has long been a driving force for pro bono service in DuPage County and beyond. Founder of the DuPage County Bar Association’s Ask a Lawyer Program, he also helped launch the Eviction Task Force Mediation Program and revitalized courthouse Help Desks after the pandemic. Over the past year, David has contributed more than 25 hours of pro bono service through Illinois Free Legal Answers and local clinics, while mentoring others to engage in service and strengthening the culture of pro bono throughout his community

Jim Ryan (2024)
Stacey McCullough (2023)
Mia McPherson (2022)
Ted Donner (2021)
Patrick Edgerton (2020)
Ninette Gregory (2019)