CBA Record September-October 2025

representation when they refuse the services of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission attorneys. Law Division presents perhaps the starkest disparities. Personal injury plaintiffs representing themselves against insurance com panies or corporations face sophisticated legal strategies designed to minimize settlements. Without understanding discovery proce dures, evidence rules, or damage calculations, these litigants often accept inadequate compensation for life-altering injuries. Pro Bono Attorneys Can Change Courtroom Dynamics When pro bono attorneys step forward, the entire courtroom dynamic changes. Represented parties present organized cases with proper documentation, understand their rights and options, and can articulate legal arguments that help me make informed decisions based on law and facts rather than confusion or des peration. In Traffic Division, I have seen pro bono attorneys help cli ents obtain work permits that allow them to maintain employ ment despite license restrictions or negotiate plea agreements that avoid the collateral consequences of certain convictions. These seemingly small interventions prevent individuals and families from spiraling into poverty. County Division cases benefit enormously from skilled advocacy. Pro bono attorneys ensure adoption proceedings move smoothly, protecting the best interests of children while guiding families through emotional and complex legal processes. In mental health cases, competent representation often means the difference between appropriate treatment and unnecessary institutionalization. Law Division pro bono work levels the playing field in civil litigation. When volunteer attorneys take personal injury or con tract cases, they ensure that legal rights are protected regardless of economic circumstances. This preserves the integrity of our civil justice system and prevents the law from becoming merely a tool for those who can afford it. Pro bono representation strengthens the entire judicial system. When parties are competently represented, cases move more effi ciently through the dockets. Legal issues are properly framed, evidence is presented effectively, and settlements reflect informed decision-making rather than confusion or power imbalances. From an administrative perspective, pro bono attorneys reduce the burden on court staff who would otherwise spend

considerable time explaining basic procedures to self-represented litigants. This allows courts to focus resources on adjudication, ultimately benefiting everyone involved with the courts. Pro Bono Representation Ensures Justice on the Merits Most importantly, pro bono service upholds the fundamental prin ciple that justice should be determined by the merits of each case, not the depth of one’s pockets. Our adversarial system depends on skilled advocates presenting competing arguments, allowing judges to make informed decisions based on law and facts. The legal needs in Cook County continue to expand. Eco nomic uncertainty has increased the number of people facing civil legal problems without resources for representation. Hous ing instability, consumer debt, family disruption, and employ ment issues drive thousands to our courtrooms each year seeking justice they cannot afford to obtain. The Chicago Bar Foundation serves as the vital bridge between this overwhelming need and our legal community’s capacity to help. Their programs connect attorneys with meaningful pro bono opportunities across all practice areas, providing training and support that ensures volunteer efforts are effective and pro fessionally fulfilling. My seven years on the bench have reinforced my belief that access to justice is not a privilege but a fundamental right. Every day, I see how pro bono representation transforms not just indi vidual outcomes but the integrity of our entire system. To my colleagues in the legal profession: your skills are des perately needed. The Chicago Bar Foundation offers numerous pathways for involvement, whether you can volunteer a few hours monthly or take on full cases. Contact Sarah Blair at sblair@chi cagobarfoundation.org to explore opportunities that match your expertise and availability. The attorneys who volunteer their time through pro bono work understand something essential about our profession: we are guardians of justice itself. Every brief filed, every client coun seled, and every case resolved brings us closer to the ideal that drew us to the law—equal justice under law for all who seek it. From my perspective across three divisions of our circuit court, I can assure you that pro bono service does more than help individual clients strengthen our entire system of justice and honors the highest calling of our profession.

The CBA mourns the passing of Thomas Z. Hayward, Jr., an expert in real estate, zoning, and corpo rate law. He was known for his unwavering commitment to access to justice and the ethical practice of law. Hayward was a career-long member of The Chicago Bar Association, serving as President from 1983 1984. He also served as President of The Chicago Bar Foundation in 2008 and as Chair of the Young Lawyers Section from 1972-1973. The CBA is forever grateful for Hayward’s contributions to our Association and the legal profession.

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