Pro Bono Spotlight:

Pro Bono Spotlight: Michael G. Bergmann

Michael G. Bergmann—who is not a judge but is close to many—has been instrumental in the pro bono community in Illinois and to the IJA in shaping and supporting the Pro Bono Committee. In 2020, as the incoming president of the IJA, Judge Barbara Crowder tapped Michael to help form the Pro Bono Committee, which has been supporting pro bono activities of both active and retired judges. Since then, Michael has stayed involved by serving as a special advisor to that committee.

In his day job, Michael is the Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative or PILI. PILI’s mission is to engage, inspire, and empower organizations that advocate for equal access to justice throughout the state. PILI connects law students, graduates, and lawyers to public interest law and pro bono opportunities in Illinois. PILI funds and supports and provides internships for law students who seek pro bono work experience and recent graduates who serve in  post-graduate fellowships before joining their hiring law firm. PILI also recruits and trains volunteers to provide direct legal services where they are most needed. This includes providing help desks in select court houses, providing legal help for veterans through the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid network, and providing advice and information about non-criminal legal issues for low-income clients through Illinois Free Legal Answers. Judge Crowder got to know Michael when she served on PILI’s pro bono committee for the 3rd judicial circuit which, like similar committees throughout the downstate area, focuses on the pro bono needs of that circuit.

Michael is likely the longest serving member of the IJA Pro Bono Committee. Judge Crowder gave him the IJA Amicus Award for his hard work in starting the Committee. His contributions since then have been many. He has been instrumental in developing programs and activities. This last year he helped recruit amazing speakers for our Pro Bono Week panel on the topic of using artificial intelligence in the pro bono world. He also helped draft an email to retired judges on pro bono activities and volunteered to be a resource for them to become involved. He has provided training for retiring judges who want to volunteer for Illinois Free Legal Answers. He has helped the Pro Bono Committee connect with pro bono activities throughout the State. We are ever so thankful for all he does for the IJA and for the legal world around us!