About The Chicago Council of Lawyers

The Chicago Council of Lawyers is not a traditional bar association. The Council is a member-based organization whose focus is on the benefit of non-members, particularly poor and disadvantaged populations who often have unequal access to the legal system. Volunteers from the Council work on non-litigation pro bono projects meant to promote systemic reform, including increased access to justice, immigration court reform, criminal justice reform, children and family law, and projects on the federal courts. In addition, the Council provides well-respected evaluations of state judicial candidates and sitting judges, and evaluations of nominees to the federal bench in Chicago.

The Council is a well-respected, non-partisan entity with the ear of important stakeholders in Cook County and Illinois at large, and has done a tremendous amount to ameliorate hidden injustices that don’t always make headlines or present themselves in everyday law practice. It is also a home for lawyers who lack the time or capacity to work on pro bono projects, but want to add their voices and monetary support to a message that gets things done for good government, fairness, and equal treatment for all.

The Council is governed by a Board of Governors two serve two year terms and a President who presides over the Board and also serves a 2-year term. The day-to-day affairs the Council are handled by an Executive Director who reports to the President and Board. The Council is a place for attorneys who want to give back to their communities through projects that promote social justice.

If you are looking to give back and support our mission, we not only welcome your membership but also your active engagement.