Members of Chicago’s legal community are making a difference in Chicago every day by donating thousands of hours in free legal services or financially supporting the organizations that provide such services. The Chicago Bar Association offers may ways to give back by providing access to pro bono and volunteer programs as well as sponsoring free legal training sessions to educate volunteers. Below is a list of both current and ongoing opportunities available through the CBA.

Pro Bono Opportunities:

Pro bono attorneys contribute their skills and talents in a variety of ways. In the current economic climate, legal aid organizations are facing increasing demands for their services and pro bono attorneys are an important supplement to these efforts. Given the recent surge in interest from the legal community in pro bono work, which comes at the same time Chicago's legal aid organizations are facing significant funding challenges, these organizations may be unable to accommodate all requests from potential volunteers. For more information about pro bono and opportunities and to get involved, review The Chicago Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Opportunities Guide for information about the types of programs that exist, review the calendar on which may identify upcoming trainings for volunteers, or visit . If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact The Chicago Bar Foundation's Director of Pro Bono, Kelly Tautges at ktautges@chicagobar.org or 312-554-8356.

Community Service:

The Chicago Bar Association offers a variety of non-legal opportunities to give back to community through the year. Opportunities are detailed on the CBA's website homepage. For general information on Young Lawyers Section community service opportunities, visit the YLS Online Community Service Web Page.

Other Opportunities:

Sun-Times Judge Marovitz Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth Program

The Sun-Times Judge Marovitz Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth Program channels the legal community's resources to promote best practice tutoring and mentoring programs in disadvantaged communities that foster consistent, long-term bonds between adults and youth. Lend-A-Hand recruits volunteers from the legal profession to serve as mentors and board members for mentoring programs across Chicago. In 2011, Lend-A-Hand supported 38 programs serving 12, 000 Chicago area youth.

Source: www.chicagobar.org