In advance of the Northern District’s Thirteenth Annual Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service in May 18, 2012, the Court is seeking nominations for the pro bono awards.  Nominations must be submitted no later than this Thursday, April 12.

Here is the Court’s description of nomination and judging criteria:

  • The nominee should be someone who has demonstrated excellence in commitment to pro bono or public interest work by handling a matter in this district as a court-appointed attorney, pro bono attorney, or staff attorney for a not-for-profit agency, representing an indigent party in a civil or criminal matter.

Factors to be considered in the selection of the nominee include: dedication to pro bono or public interest work, outstanding achievement resulting from the representation of a large group of indigents, successful representation in a difficult case, outstanding negotiation and settlement skills in achieving a result without trial, extraordinary number of hours committed to pro bono work, or other distinguished performance.  All pro bono and public interest work considered must be work performed in this court in civil or criminal matters on cases that are now completed and no longer pending.

Please submit your nominations on or before April 12, 2012, using the form (Click Here) and including a brief summary of the reasons why you think that this person has performed outstanding pro bono or public interest work.

Please send your nominations via e-mail to: probono_ilnd@ilnd.uscourts.gov.