CBA Record October 2016

21 / 60

The Supreme Court’s Pro Bono Reporting Rule
and You
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:
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, , 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 .
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
to learnmore and schedule
a call or dial 310/912-3668.
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 and click
on the Resources tab.
Save on Legal Research and
Writing Services
Tthe team of experienced attorneys at Legal-
now offers discounted services
to CBA members–on your terms, your schedule
and your budget.Visit
CBA for more information or call 844/638-6733
for a free consultation.
CBA RECORD 21