Author: The Chicago Bar Foundation
Last updated: April 2011

On July 1, 2008, amendments to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756 and on October 1, 2011, amendments to Illinois Supreme Court rule 716 went into effect that give retired, inactive and corporate attorneys limited admission status to provide on a pro bono basis critical legal assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged people who would otherwise be shut out of our justice system. The ARDC posted to its website the forms that organizations (“sponsoring entities”) and pro bono attorneys must complete in order to perform pro bono work under the amended rules.

Organizations that have registered as a sponsoring entity with the ARDC should let Kelly Tautges (ktautges@chicagobar.org) know so we can include that information on this page and direct interested volunteers to the appropriate organizations for pro bono opportunities. 

In a nutshell, the amendments to Rules 716 and 756:

• Provide that retired, inactive and in-house attorneys with limited admission status may do pro bono work — without charge or expectation of a fee — for individuals of limited means or charitable, civic, community or other similar groups;
• Include safeguards to ensure that clients are receiving high quality legal services and that the profession is adequately protected.

Potential Pro Bono Attorneys Covered by these Amendments Must:

• Provide pro bono services under the auspices of a sponsoring entity, which is defined as “a not-for-profit legal services organization, governmental entity, law school clinical program or a bar association providing pro bono services;"
• Register their pro bono participation, along with verification from the sponsoring entity, with the ARDC on an annual basis (Form: Attorney 1) is the initial form to be completed; (Form: Attorney 2) is the renewal form), and;
• Participate in any trainings required by the sponsoring entity (the amendments exempt retired or inactive attorneys engaged in pro bono from meeting Illinois’ MCLE requirements).

Legal Aid Organizations That Want to Work with These Attorneys Must:

• Submit an application to the ARDC describing the organization’s pro bono program in which retired, inactive or in-house counsel may participate (Form: Sponsor 1);
• Certify that the organization will provide appropriate training and support to pro bono attorneys;
• Provide malpractice insurance to pro bono attorneys, and;
• Submit an annual statement to the ARDC verifying the continuation of any pro bono programs and describing any changes in pro bono programs in which retired, inactive or in-house counsel participate. (Form: Sponsor 2).

Legal Aid and Pro Bono Organizations That Have Registered with the ARDC as Sponsoring Entities under Rule 756 (as of March 2012):

• Administer Justice
• Catholic Charities Legal Assistance
• Center for Disability & Elder Law
• Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM)
• CARPLS (Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services)
• Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
• Equip For Equality
• Family Defense Center
• Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation
• Lawyers for the Creative Arts
• Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing
• Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services
• Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago
• Prairie State Legal Services