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About the Committee:

The Sixth 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 Sixth Judicial Circuit.

About the Circuit:

The Sixth Judicial Circuit is in the Fourth Appellate District and includes Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt Counties. The Honorable Randall B. Rosenbaum is the Chief Judge of the Sixth Circuit.

Membership:

Chair: Mark C. Palmer, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

Members:
Matthew J. Clegg, University of Illinois College of Law<
Danielle DeWinter, The Immigration Project
Melissa Frydman, University of Illinois College of Law
Stephanie Hall, Meyer Capel
Lori Hansen, Champaign County Courthouse
L. Drew Hickey, Bolen, Robinson, and Ellis, LLP
Robert Jacobson, Tummelson Bryan & Knox, LLP
Nicole Massey, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Inc.
Honorable Brett N. Olmstead, Circuit Court of Champaign County
Honorable Ramona M. Sullivan, Circuit Court of Champaign County
Daniel R. Thies, Webber & Thies, P.C.
Susan Zielke, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Inc.

Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Pledge: The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Pledge recognizes 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 was officially launched on March 30, 2015 with a letter that was sent to all law firms and corporate legal departments in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.  The signatories to the Pledge will be recognized on an annual basis.

Learn more about the Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Pledge »

Committee Activities:

The Committee was launched on October 23, 2012. One issue that the Committee specifically identified is the need for a conflicts panel to provide assistance to eligible individuals when Land of Lincoln cannot due to some conflict with the case or parties. The Committee is looking at ways to work closely with existing resources and assets in the circuit to establish the infrastructure for a conflicts panel, recruit pro bono attorneys to take cases, and process referrals.

In the News:

• March 2019: New Help Desk Coming to Macon County Courthouse
• February 2019: Macon County record sealing, expungement summit gives residents hope for second chances
• October 2016: Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Hosts Pro Bono Week Celebration
• April 2015: Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Launches New Pro Bono Pledge
• October 2014: Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee to Host CLE Program & Awards Presentation

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