MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Project Launches in Illinois
Starting July 1, 2025, Illinois attorneys will have a new reason to consider volunteering their legal services: the Supreme Court’s MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Project will allow them to earn continuing legal education (CLE) credit for time spent helping underserved clients through Illinois Free Legal Answers.
This two-year initiative, approved by the Illinois Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Executive Committee on the Practice of Law, is the first of its kind in the state. It represents a proactive step toward increasing attorney volunteerism and closing persistent gaps in access to justice. For attorneys licensed in Illinois, it’s also a timely opportunity to align professional development with public service.
What Is the MCLE for the Pro Bono Pilot Project?
Under the pilot project, attorneys may earn 1 hour of MCLE credit for every 2 hours of pro bono service completed through Illinois Free Legal Answers, a virtual legal advice clinic administered by the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI). A maximum of 5 credits per 2-year reporting period may be earned through this method.
This project temporarily amends Supreme Court Rule 795(d) and is scheduled to run for two full MCLE reporting cycles. The Court and Executive Committee will evaluate the project’s effectiveness based on attorney participation, user outcomes, and the overall impact on professional development and volunteerism.
How This Rule Change Benefits the Legal Community
The MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Project addresses two intersecting concerns in the Illinois legal landscape:
Unmet legal needs. Trial courts across the country, including those in Illinois, continue to see a significant proportion of civil cases involving at least one self-represented litigant. This shortage of accessible legal representation has contributed to a measurable drop in new civil filings.
Barriers to volunteering. Many attorneys cite time constraints and continuing legal education (CLE) obligations as reasons for limited pro bono involvement. By allowing CLE credit to be earned through legal volunteering, the Court is removing a structural barrier and creating a practical incentive for attorneys to engage in pro bono work.
This shift is part of a broader trend: the legal profession is undergoing substantial changes in how services are delivered, how lawyers connect with clients, and how the Court encourages meaningful engagement in the justice system. The pilot project is also an example of how the judiciary, bar associations, and access-to-justice organizations are collaborating to modernize practice standards while encouraging greater participation in public interest work.
What Attorneys Should Know About Participating
If you are a licensed Illinois attorney and wish to take advantage of the pilot program, here are key considerations:
Eligibility: Only time spent volunteering through Illinois Free Legal Answers qualifies for CLE credit. This platform enables licensed attorneys to answer civil legal questions from eligible clients online, making it a low-barrier and flexible way to give back.
Credit Calculation: You’ll earn one CLE credit for every two hours of verified participation. PILI, which administers the platform, will track volunteer time and coordinate with the MCLE Board.
Credit Limits: The 5-credit cap ensures that attorneys continue to meet a diverse range of CLE requirements while rewarding meaningful pro bono work.
Professional Benefit: Beyond credits, the pilot offers attorneys the opportunity to build subject-matter expertise, contribute to a greater cause, and fulfill their ethical aspirations of public service.
Supporting a Culture of Pro Bono Engagement
According to the Illinois Supreme Court’s official statements, this initiative was developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), the Commission on Professionalism, the Chicago Bar Foundation, and the Illinois Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Board. That level of cooperation signals not only institutional support but a unified push to normalize pro bono work as part of the modern legal practice.
Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis emphasized that the practice of law is evolving due to changes in technology and challenges to access to justice. This CLE rule change is one of several updates designed to help lawyers meet the needs of today’s legal consumers—and tomorrow’s legal responsibilities.
ISBA Mutual Supports Continued Legal Education and Public Service
At ISBA Mutual, we understand the connection between continuing legal education, malpractice prevention, and public trust in the legal profession. Programs like the MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Project not only help close the justice gap, but they also promote the kind of professional development that reduces legal risk and improves client outcomes.
We encourage our policyholders and colleagues across Illinois to explore participation in Illinois Free Legal Answers—not only for CLE credit, but as part of a shared responsibility to improve access to justice.
If you have questions about how pro bono work intersects with malpractice insurance, risk management, or ethical obligations, contact ISBA Mutual Insurance Company today.
