Illinois Judges Association

Pro Bono Spotlight - October 2021

Pro bono week is October 25-30th. The IJA continues its mission to highlight how sitting judges can support pro bono with lauding the creation of pro bono week. Our October Spotlight is Justice Michael Hyman who is doubly appreciated during this the 50th Anniversary of the Illinois Judges Association as he is a former President of the IJA.

Who knew that Justice Michael Hyman was once the President of the Chicago Bar Association and that during his tenure he initiated the first Pro Bono Week that we now celebrate annually along with the ABA and other bar associations? And of course Justice Hyman is a former President of the Illinois Judges Association, the Decalogue Society, the Jewish Judges Association of Illinois, a former chair of the ISBA Bench and Bar Section Council, the Coalition for Equality and more. Besides his service in professional associations, Justice Hyman was on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Equality Committee and on the Board of the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois which  awards grants to agencies that increase access to justice. 

Discussing the reasons he appreciates all who provide legal services, Justice Hyman notes, “I’ve been promoting access to justice since early in my legal career. Indeed, lack of access to justice undermines the possibility of equality, the realization of social rights, and the principles embedded in our nation’s Declaration of Independence and Constitution.”

The Illinois Judges Association is proud to spotlight Justice Michael Hyman for his support of pro bono.