CBA Record

has proved that we have the power to sig- nificantly expand the capacity of our pro bono and legal aid system when the legal community comes together as one around this issue. The Campaign is the one time you can support the entire pro bono and legal aid systemwith one contribution and make an impact that none of us could on our own. Specifically, donations to the Campaign: • Leverage significantly more money from government and other foundations • Benefit from the CBF’s rigorous grants process, which strategically allocates the Campaign funds to maximize impact and ensures accountability • Save hundreds of thousands of dollars in other social services by enabling people to resolve legal problems before they spin out of control The people receiving services made possible by the Campaign include the elderly, disabled, veterans and children; domestic violence victims; people at risk of losing their homes; immigrants fleeing persecution and abuse; and many other low-income and disadvantaged people in the Chicago area in need of legal assistance. All contributions qualify for the Illinois Supreme Court’s Pro Bono Reporting Rule and are tax-deductible. Invest in Justice Today Add your voice to the others making a dif- ference through this Campaign, and make a contribution today! The Chicago Bar Foundation is your foundation, where you come together with your colleagues in Chicago’s legal community tomake the justice system more fair and accessible for everyone. Find out more at www.chicagobarfoundation. org. JUSTICE STARTS WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION

A MESSAGE FROM THE CAMPAIGN CHAIR

Dear Colleague:

As we embark on the 2015 Investing in Justice Cam- paign, the importance of preserving access to the American dream and equal opportunity for all Ameri- cans is increasingly the subject of discussions amongst policymakers. While most would agree that inequality presents a serious problem for our country, there are a wide variety of viewpoints about the solutions where many of us respectfully disagree. There is one thing that we as a legal community all can agree on when it comes to inequality: that it has no place in the justice system. One of the most funda- mental principles of our country and our profession is that we all stand equal before the law and should have equal access to justice. We know, however, that can only happen when people have access to necessary le- gal help, whether you are a large international company like United or one of the millions of people who call the Chicago area home. Unfortunately, for more than half of the low-income and disadvantaged people in the Chicago area who need legal help at any given time, that help is not available due to a shortage of pro bono and legal aid resources. The good news is that through the Campaign, our legal community has proven repeatedly that we can do something about that when we join together in one ac- cord. The Campaign is your opportunity to join with your colleagues in the legal community to make a collective impact towards eliminating inequality in the justice system in a way none of us could do on our own. Together, we can make sure that many more people in our community will get the justice they deserve, not just what they can afford. In the process, we’ll be striking a blow against inequality while helping to build a more perfect justice system, making our community a fairer and better place for all.

Brett Hart

Chair | 2015 Investing in Justice Campaign

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | United Airlines, Inc.

Sincerely,

the Campaign. First, while we all support a wide variety of worthy causes, ensuring that all people have equal access to the justice system is distinctly important to us as trustees of that system and our common cause as a legal community. Second, despite the dedicated efforts of the many outstanding pro bono and legal

aid attorneys in our community, more than half of the hundreds of thousands of low- income and disadvantaged Chicagoans in need of legal assistance each year are unable to get often critical help due to a shortage of pro bono and legal aid resources. Finally, while we all have important roles to play as individuals, the Campaign

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