CBA Record September-October 2025

PRO BONO WEEK 2025 – JUSTICE CAN’T WAIT

Pro Bono Opportunities for Transactional Attorneys

A re you a transactional attorney looking for pro bono opportunities that match your expertise? Look no fur ther than these great organizations that can match you up with non-profit organizations, small businesses, and local artists who need transactional legal assistance: Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (CLCCRUL): The Chicago Lawyers’ Committee’s Economic Justice program plays a critical role in spurring economic development in histori cally disinvested communities. Pro bono attorneys can help by providing free, nonlitigation legal assistance to individual clients, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and community-based groups that would otherwise not have access to those services. To learn more, visit clccrul.org/pro-bono-works or email Amy Cook at acook@clccrul.org. Lawyers for the Creative Arts (LCA): Help artists, arts nonprofits, and emerging entertainment profes sionals establish the solid legal foundations they need to thrive

creatively and professionally. Volunteer attorneys support clients with legal issues such as business formation and governance, contracts and negotiations, intellectual property protection, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned litigator, transactional expert, or specialist in another area of law, your skills are valuable to LCA’s clients. Most matters range from 5 to 25 hours of commit ment. Learn more and register to volunteer by visiting law-arts. org/volunteer-attorney-information or by emailing LCA’s Direc tor of Legal Services, Weston Dombroski, at wdombroski@law arts.org. Legal Aid for New Entrepreneurs (LANE) Legal Aid for New Entrepreneurs provides free legal services to low-income small business owners in Chicagoland. Volunteers assist with transactional matters such as entity formation, contract drafting, commercial lease review, employment issues, and intel lectual property. Opportunities are flexible and discrete—ideal for busy professionals. LANE also offers chances to lead commu nity legal presentations. Malpractice insurance is provided. Learn more and sign up at lanechicago.org/volunteer opportunities.

This Fall, as Illinois lawyers receive their annual ARDC registration statements, they will have to report their pro bono service and financial contributions for the year. It’s never too late to take on a case or to make a donation, and the CBF is here to help. The Illinois Supreme Court’s pro bono reporting requirement is an annual reminder to Illinois lawyers that pro bono legal service is an integral part of a lawyer’s professionalism. Rule 756(f) requires all attorneys licensed in Illinois to report, in con nection with their annual ARDC registration, pro bono legal services provided and qualified monetary contributions made during the preceding 12 months. Pro Bono Resources The CBF is your source for helpful resources for anyone who wants to do pro bono work but is not sure where to start. Check out the CBF website for more information at chicagobarfoundation.org/pro-bono, including the CBF’s Pro Bono Opportuni ties Guide (cbf.joinpaladin.com/). Qualifying Financial Contributions under the Rule Providing financial support for local pro bono and legal aid organizations is just as important an investment as donating your time, as lawyers depend on these organizations to be their partners in pro bono work. Pro bono and legal aid organizations provide the necessary infrastructure to support pro bono work for area lawyers and law firms (e.g., pro bono programs with solid screening, referrals, training and support functions for volunteers). These programs also provide critical legal assistance to the most vulnerable members of our community in matters where pro bono is not a practical solution. Lawyers can make qualifying contributions under the Rule to the CBF, which supports all of the major pro bono and legal aid organizations serving the Chicago area, and by contributing directly to one of these many outstanding organizations. A list of organizations that qualify under the Rule is available at www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/reporting-pro bono-and-financial-contributions. Additional Questions about the Rule The CBF is here to help you with other questions about the Rule as well. Contact Sarah Blair, CBF Director of Pro Bono & Training, at sblair@chicagobarfoundation.org. Don’t Forget to Report Your Pro Bono Service

26 September/October 2025