CBA Record Sept-Oct 2019

CBA AND CBF MARK PRO BONOWEEK Connecting with Communities By Sally Daly, CBA Public Affairs Director

B ringing the strengths and skills of lawyers directly into communities to help residents obtain access to justice will be the focus of Pro Bono Week 2019 as the Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Bar Foundation team up for a week of special programming promoting the efforts of lawyers who pay it forward. Pro BonoWeek 2019, which runs Octo- ber 21-25, will include a series of specially planned events that celebrate pro bono efforts and raise awareness among lawyers and the public about how pro bono work can improve the community and the lives of those in need of accessible and impact- ful legal services. The week’s events are based around the theme “Connecting with Communities in Need” and will explore topics including the child welfare system, community lawyering, and immigration. A highlight of the week’s events will be one of Chicago’s largest pro bono and community service fairs on October 23 featuring representatives from more than 40 legal aid, pro bono, community service, and mentoring organizations. All members

Nichole C. Patton

KatherineW. Shank

Tuesday, October 22 – Justice: An Evening of Stories and Community. This unique “story slam” will feature shared sto- ries and conversation related to the theme of justice. From 6 to 8 p.m. at Revolution Brewing, 2323 N. Milwaukee. Wednesday, October 23 – Annual Pro Bono and Community Service Fair. From 5 to 7 p.m. at Skadden Arps, 155 N. Wacker. Thursday, October 24 – Community Lawyering and Pro Bono Service. Lawyers who have worked to build community- centered programs and practices will discuss their efforts and examine how pro bono lawyers can join and support the growing community lawyer movement. From 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court. Friday, October 25 – Immigration 101: What’s Going On and How Can I Help? From noon to 2 p.m. Location to be announced.

of the legal community are encouraged to attend the fair to hear about the many pro bono opportunities available to fit their schedules, interests, and skills. Katherine W. Shank of Legal Aid Chi- cago and Judge Nichole C. Patton of the Circuit Court of Cook County are serving as co-chairs for Pro Bono Week 2019. Scheduled events for the week include the following: Monday, October 21 – Walk a Mile in Their Shoes: Youth-Centered Simulation. This seminar will focus on young people who are involved in the juvenile justice system and the challenges they face dealing with many different institutions that often don’t coordinate or communicate effectively. The event will feature an experiential learning simulation that will explore what it is like to be a young person in the juvenile justice system and how community lawyering and pro bono can make a difference. From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Baker McKenzie, 300 E. Randolph.

More information on the specifics of Pro Bono week can be found at www. chicagobarfoundation. org/probonoweek/

8 September/October 2019