CBA Record

The Supreme Court’s Pro Bono Reporting Rule and You

Save on RPost Cyber Security Services RPost’s RMail gives attorneys and legal profes- sionals advanced email liability protection and convenience benefits with easy-to-use encryp- tion features and Legal Proof® protection. RMail proves delivery, time of delivery and returns back a Registered Receipt™ email record that’s automatically generated with every message. RMail services prove compliance with data privacy mandates, deadlines for notices and digital signature laws. Members of The Chicago Bar Association receive a 20%discount and two months free when they sign up by phone. Visit www.rmail.com/cba to learnmore and schedule a call or dial 310/912-3668. Tthe team of experienced attorneys at Legal- Research.com now offers discounted services to CBA members–on your terms, your schedule and your budget.Visit www.legalresearch.com/ CBA for more information or call 844/638-6733 for a free consultation. Solo Small Firm Resource Portal One stop shopping for all your needs. Includes sections on staring your own firm, marketing, business networking, law office technology training, low cost office management consult- ing, and savings on insurance and business expenses. Visit www.chicagobar.org and click on the Resources tab. Save on Legal Research and Writing Services

All Illinois lawyers can expect to receive their annual ARDC registration statements this month, which

again will include questions about their pro bono work and related financial contributions over the past

year pursuant to the pro bono reporting requirement adopted by the Supreme Court in 2006. If you haven’t

taken a pro bono case or made a financial contribution yet this year, it’s not too late. There’s still time for

you to get involved and contribute before you complete your registration, and below are some resources

to help you do that.

As the Comments to the amended Rule 756(f) of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules underscore, the pro bono

reporting requirement is intended to serve as 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 connection with the attorney’s 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 CBA members who want to do pro bono work but aren’t sure where to start. Check out the CBF website for more information at: chicagobarfoundation.org/resources/pro-bono.

Qualifying Financial Contributions under the Rule

Providing your financial support for local legal aid organizations is just as important an investment as

donating your time, as lawyers depend on good legal aid organizations to be their partners in pro bono

work. Legal aid organizations provide the necessary infrastructure to support pro bonowork for area lawyers

and law firms (i.e., pro bono programs with solid screening, referral, training and support functions for

volunteers). Legal aid 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 thesemany

outstanding organizations. Check out the CBF website, chicagobarfoundation.org, for more information.

Additional Questions about the Rule

The CBF is here to help you with other questions about the Rule as well. Feel free to contact Kelly Tautges,

CBF Director of Pro Bono and Court Advocacy, at 312/554-8356 or ktautges@chicagobar.org.

CBA RECORD 21