Pro Bono

Our pro bono work is directed into a number of programs that both serve the community and, at the same time provide meaningful legal experience for our attorneys. Many of our pro bono programs were initiated by associates. The firm treats pro bono work the same as client billable work in evaluating productivity and establishing annual compensation for our associates.

Summer associates are given opportunities to work on pro bono matters either thru assignments they select from our electronic workbox, or thru programs designed specially for the summer program.

One of our most successful programs involves The Center For Disability And Elder Law, a non-profit organization designed to provide free legal services to the elderly and physically and mentally challenged. Chicago summer associates who have completed their second year of law school can appear in court on pro bono matters for the Center pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711. To be eligible, the law student must have completed 60% of the credits required for graduation. LB&B assists summer associates participating in matters for the Center in obtaining their 711 license.

In the summer after graduation, Chicago associates can also participate in public interest law fellowships sponsored by the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) group, an affiliate of the Chicago Bar Association. PILI requires its fellows to work the equivalent of 5 full-time and 5 part-time weeks during the course of the summer. Lord, Bissell & Brook compensates associates who obtain a PILI fellowship at full pay for the ten weeks of participation required by the program and at half pay for the remaining time during the June-August period. Affiliated agencies with fellowship programs include: AIDS Legal Counsel of Chicago; Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic; Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc.; Lawyers for the Creative Arts; Legal Aid Bureau; Mandel Legal Aid Clinic; and many more.

If you are interested in more detail regarding our firm's pro bono activities please visit our main website.