CBA Sept.-Oct. 2020

CBANEWS An Extraordinary Call for Pro Bono Service in

Unprecedented Times By Sally Daly, CBA Public Affairs Director

A s the Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Founda- tion prepare for a virtual Pro Bono Week imposed by the pandemic, the urgency for lawyers to donate their time and resources to the underserved is unprecedented and will drive the theme for this year’s week of programs and activities. Programming for Pro Bono Week 2020, which runs October 26-30, will focus on areas where pro bono work can have the most impact in these extraordi- nary times, particularly for those most impacted by the pandemic who are strug- gling with issues such as homelessness, job loss, or lack of educational opportunities. “We celebrate Pro Bono Week at a volatile time in our nation’s history, a time that has been especially punishing on those who are marginalized and disem- powered,” said Justice Michael B. Hyman, Editor-in-Chief of the CBA Record, who writes about the subject in his Editor’s Briefcase column in this edition of the magazine. “In Illinois, the urgency for lawyers to donate their time and resources to the

underserved has always been there. Today, the urgency is unprecedented. Only an extraordinary commitment from the Chicago legal community can meet the demands of the moment,” said Hyman. The CBA/CBF’s annual Pro Bono Week activities will be held virtually but will still include the mainstay event, the 27th annual Pro Bono and Community Service Fair, on October 29. The Fair will feature representatives frommore than 40 legal aid, pro bono, community service, and mentoring organizations. All mem- bers of the legal community are encour- aged to attend the fair to hear about the many pro bono opportunities available to fit their schedules, interests, and skills. Other scheduledevents for theweek include: Monday, October 26 – Justice: An Eve- ning of Stories and Community . This favor- ite kick off to pro bono week will feature an evening of justice-themed stories told by audience volunteers. Storytellers and listeners alike are encouraged to attend. From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 27 – Never Fully

Free: Addressing the Harm of Permanent Punishments. This seminar will explore the barriers presented by laws that impose permanent punishments with research provided by the Heartland Alliance. Legal aid organizations that work in areas of law such as housing, employment and education will also participate. From 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, October 28 – Good Trouble: A Documentary Screening and Film Discussion. A group discussion will focus on the recently released documen- tary about the life of the late Congressman and civil rights leaders John Lewis. The conversation will focus on voting rights and related pro bono opportunities. 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 29 – Annual Pro Bono and Community Service Fair. Participating organizations will gather at virtual “tables” to meet with members of the legal community and share pro bono opportunities. 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. For more information about Pro Bono Week go to chicagobarfoundation.org/ probonoweek.

New CBA @attheBar Podcast: The Justice in Policing Act of 2020: A Discussion with Senator Dick Durbin

The CBA Podcast, @CBAattheBar, features Senator Durbin discussing the Act, its core goals, and how the Act seeks to achievemeaningful policing reform. Find@CBAattheBar on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and Spotify.

8 September/October 2020