Pro Bono

As part of its commitment to the courts and the community, each entry-level associate in the Chicago office of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is assigned a criminal or prisoner civil rights case under the Criminal Justice Act from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Acting under close supervision of the firm's senior attorneys, entry-level associates waiting for their bar exam results research and draft the appellate briefs and then argue the cases as soon as they become licensed. This program gives new associates the opportunity to do something beneficial for the community and the court system while gaining practical experience with a case involving real stakes and real clients.  It also provides them with meaningful work while waiting for the results of the bar exam and provides our partners with more seasoned, self-confident associates. In addition, the firm serves the public by providing quality legal representation and services to those who otherwise could not afford them.