State Farm Pro Bono Award

Prairie State Legal Services		Page Updated: February 26, 2004
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State Farm Insurance Companies and Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.
honored with second annual Pro Bono Partner Award

February 26,2004 - Press release from CorporateProBono.Org

Washington, DC - CorporateProBono.Org (CPBO), a project of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) and the Pro Bono Institute at Georgetown University Law Center, presented its second annual Pro Bono Partner Award today to State Farm Insurance Companies and Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. of Rockford. This award recognizes the accomplishments of pro bono partnerships between and among in-house corporate legal departments, public interest organizations, and law firms. CPBO is a national outreach project designed to enhance the participation of in-house lawyers in pro bono service.

The awarding-winning two-way partnership of State Farm and Prairie State Legal Services helps low income residents of McLean and Livingston counties in Illinois gain access to quality legal services. Under this partnership, State Farm attorneys interview clients pre-screened by Prairie State Legal Services, which also provides clerical support, resources, and training for the State Farm attorneys. During their 25-year partnership, the two organizations have developed other, non-legal projects to help raise funds for Prairie State Legal Services.

The CPBO Advisory Board selected the winning pro bono partnership based on such criteria as demonstrated impact on a program’s community/target group, substantial involvement by in-house lawyers and innovative substantive or structural approaches to the program.

The award was presented during the Pro Bono Institute’s Annual Seminar. "This is a wonderful honor for State Farm and for me personally," said Herman Brandau, Associate General Counsel for State Farm. "If you have a wonderful partner like Prairie State Legal Services it makes it so easy to enter into this type of relationship… they have been integral in helping our lawyers do pro bono and reach the community."

"I want to thank CPBO for selecting Prairie State and State Farm for this award," said Joseph Dailing, Executive Director, Prairie State Legal Services. "A key ingredient [to this partnership] is State Farm’s policy of being good neighbors and encouraging their staff to get involved in the community." The impact on legal services in McLean and Livingston counties as a result of this policy, Dailing continues, allows “legal services to survive.”

“CPBO is grateful for the opportunity to honor such a meaningful partnership,” said Pro Bono Institute President Esther F. Lardent, “State Farm and Prairie State Legal Services exemplify the perfect partnership, not only in their long standing relationship, more than 25 years, helping the underserved, but in the deep commitment of State Farm to the growth and well-being of Prairie State Legal Services.”

About State Farm Insurance Company State Farm ® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 16,000 agents and 75,000 employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada. State Farm also offers financial services products through State Farm Bank ®. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 21 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit www.statefarm.com ® or in Canada www.statefarm.ca .

About Prairie State Legal Services Prairie State Legal Services provides civil legal services to poor and elderly clients in 36 counties of northern and central Illinois. Working in collaboration with the courts, social service organizations, corporations, bar associations, pro bono attorneys, and others, Prairie State provides advice and representation on issues affecting the basic human needs of clients including housing, safety from violence, medical care, and subsistence income. Serving over 16,000 clients annually through 10 regional offices, Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. is an active community partner addressing critical legal needs. More information can be found at www.pslegal.org .

About CorporateProBono.Org CorporateProBono.Org ("CPBO") is a national outreach project cosponsored by the Association of Corporate Counsel and the Pro Bono Institute (www.probonoinst.org). Through online services, technical assistance to the in-house community, and educational outreach, CPBO encourages and supports the participation of in-house counsel in pro bono services.

About Association of Corporate Counsel The Association of Corporate Counsel is the in-house bar association (SM), serving the professional needs of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations and other private sector organizations worldwide. The association promotes the common interests of its members, contributes to their continuing education, seeks to improve understanding of the role of in-house attorneys, and encourages advancements in standards of corporate legal practice. Since its founding in 1982, the association has grown to more than 14,000 members in 40 countries who represent 6500 corporations, with 43 chapters and 12 committees serving the membership. Its members represent 49 of the Fortune 50 companies and 97 of the Fortune 100 companies. Internationally, its members represent 42 of the Global 50 and 77 of the Global 100 companies. For more information, go to www.acca.com.

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