Make a Nomination
The Sixth Judicial Circuit Community Legal Services Award will be presented to one or more lawyers practicing in the Sixth 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 award is 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 recipient will be chosen by the Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and announced in September. This year's recipient will be recognized at the Committee's Pro Bono Week event in October. Details to come.
The nominations deadline is Wednesday, September 13th. If you have any questions, please reach out to Abigail Causer by email or at 217-693-6017.
Can’t see the registration form? Click here »
PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Anne Martinkus (2022)
Anne Martinkus is an associate at Erwin, Martinkus, & Cole, LTD. She obtained her Bachelors from the University of Illinois and graduated from Thomas Cooley Law School. Anne specializes in Family Law, Adoption, and Guardianship. Anne is recognized for her willingness to serve pro bono as Guardian ad Litem, particularly in a recent case where all parties expressed their immense gratitude for Anne's counsel and guidance.
Andrew Bequette (2021)
John T. Phipps (2020)
Cristina M. Manuel (2019)
Ramona Sullivan (2018)
Ruth E. Wyman (2018)
Robert E. Jacobson, Jr. (2017)
Ellyn Bullock (2016)
James Jankowicz (2016)
Marvin Gerstein (2015)
Kurt Froehlich (2014)
J. Amber Drew (2013)
*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.”