Legal Aid Attorney Salary Increase Campaign

Chicago Bar Foundation - 080027

Abstract Number: 080027

March 2008

The Investing in Justice Campaign was launched by the Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) to raise funds to increase the salaries of legal aid attorneys in the metro Chicago area to a level at which attorneys can afford to stay in their professions and enjoy the fruits of their hard work. A study titled "Investing in Justice: A Framework for Effective Recruitment and Retention of Illinois Legal Aid Attorneys," by CBF and Illinois Coalition for Equal Justice revealed that Illinois legal aid attorneys earn starting salaries, on average, of less than $40,000 per year and are saddled with debt which makes it difficult for them to stay  in their chosen profession.  Through the Investing in Justice Campaign, CBF raised $904,000 and has now distributed this money in the form of special salary grants to nearly 30 Chicago-area public interest organizations. 

CBF used 100% of the $904,000 in 2007 Campaign funds to create a special grant pool that provides a significant step towards resolving the low salary issue.  The Campaign caused a few changes:

• Each of the 260 full-time legal aid attorneys serving the Chicago area received a    salary increase averaging $3,700 per attorney, with many receiving as much as a 10% raise;
• As a condition of receiving these special grant funds, all of the major pro bono and legal aid organizations in Chicago developed and adopted a board approved plan to raise their attorney salaries to the level of comparable government service positions over the next three to five years and to address non-compensation issues impacting attorney retention; and
• As a part of the grant process, CBF is providing a series of free management training programs for executive directors and managing attorneys at these organizations.

CBF plans to continue the Campaign in 2008 and improving legal aid attorney salaries will remain a priority again this year. 

Contact Information
Thomas Z. Hayard
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP
312-807-4340
thayward@bellboyd.com

The Chicago Bar Foundation
321 South Plymouth Court
Suite 3B
Chicago, IL 60604
(P) 312.554.1204
(F) 312.554.1203
 khamilton@chicagobar.org

Additional Information

Investing in Justice Campaign Fact Sheet

Tackling a Big Problem by Kimbell R. Anderson

Investing in Justice Campaign Brochure

Draft Amendments to Supreme Court Rules 756 and 716: Authorization of Inactive and Retired Status Attorneys and House Counsel to Provide Pro Bono Services Under the Auspices of Sponsoring Entity

Chicago Bar Foundation's Strategy Document

95th General Assembly State of Illinois 2007 and 2008

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