CBA Record September-October 2026

PRO BONO WEEK 2026 – A MORE PERFECT JUSTICE SYSTEM

Celebrating 15 Years of Pro Bono Network

What started as a small effort 15 years ago has grown into nearly 20 legal projects serving clients in areas including family, elder, immigration, and community law. Since its founding, PBN has provided over 37,000 hours of free legal services and helped more than 8,000 clients. But these client numbers only tell part of the story. PBN has also created oppor tunities for more than 450 attorneys at different career stages and in different types of practices to use their legal skills to help people address their legal prob lems. Volunteers include attorneys who work as solo practitioners, at small and midsize firms, for the government, for academic institutions, for nonprofits, as in-house counsel, retired or nonpractic ing attorneys, and attorneys returning to practice. Some are looking for a way back into legal work. Some are looking to gain new skills or experience. Others are simply looking for a way to give back. Looking Ahead Every day, people face legal problems they cannot handle alone. At the same time, there are attorneys looking for ways to help. For 15 years, PBN has focused on bringing those two groups together. Streit’s story shows that it’s never too late to begin. Sokolowski’s story shows that pro bono can be part of building a practice. Their stories, plus the stories of hundreds of other attorneys who have volunteered with PBN, reflect what has been at PBN’s core since its founding: Every lawyer has a place in pro bono. Sometimes, all it takes is a path to get started.

Beth Streit

Matt Sokolowski

In a solo practice, every hour matters. Even so, Sokolowski has volunteered through PBN on guardianship litigation, orders of protection, simple divorces, and divorce cases for survivors of domestic violence who are currently incarcerated. These projects are in partnership with Legal Council for Health Justice, Legal Aid Chicago, and Ascend Justice. “My favorite part of volunteering with PBN is helping people who have been trying to get something done move forward,” he said. “Many have waited a decade to get a divorce, saving up for a lawyer, and suddenly, in just a few months, we can make it happen. It really shows how a few moments of your time can have a huge impact. For me, family law is second nature, but for them, it can change their whole life.” For Sokolowski, volunteering is also deeply personal. “I’m a first-generation immi grant, so things weren’t easy for me and my family growing up,” he said. “I get to help a lot of people who didn’t have it easy either. I also know I’ve had opportunities that many others didn’t, and volunteering is my way of showing gratitude.” Building a Different Model Many attorneys think pro bono is easiest at a large law firm with a dedicated pro bono program. But attorneys everywhere want to give back. They just need the same things attorneys at large firms often have: training, guidance, administrative support, and someone to call when questions come up. That’s where PBN comes in. PBN offers a variety of projects in partnership with nine legal aid partner agencies so attorneys can find opportunities that fit their interests and schedules. Some volunteers represent clients in court. Others draft legal documents or spend an afternoon helping clients at a legal clinic. Many opportunities are remote, and projects are designed to be manageable commitments with varying lengths of time. Some attorneys sign on for a short project or two-hour clinic, while others take on longer-term projects. Once a volunteer takes on a matter, PBN continues to provide support along the way. Attorneys receive training before getting started, with recorded trainings available for those who need to watch on their own schedule. Project managers help connect vol unteer attorneys with clients, answer questions, provide support, and keep matters on track. Pro bono volunteers also have access to subject matter experts who can provide guidance when questions come up, making it easier for attorneys to take on areas of law outside their usual practice. Many projects also give volunteers the opportunity to work with another attorney, which can make it easier to take on a new area of law. In addition, PBN handles some of the practical details that can make pro bono work difficult to navigate. For example, volunteer translators help attorneys communicate with clients who speak other languages, and attorneys volunteering with PBN are cov ered by malpractice insurance through PBN’s legal aid partners.

Ronak Maisuria is the Pro Bono Engagement Manager at the Pro Bono Network.

30 September/October 2026