Pro Bono Service

Heyl Royster has been recognized as a leader in providing pro bono services. Lawyers in each of our offices assist local organizations in their communities with transactional or litigation problems. Our firm's Peoria office has a formal program of assisting the local Legal Service Corporation recipient, Prairie State Legal Services, Inc., with its caseload.

In late 2004, we committed to handling 30 family law cases per year from Prairie State in Peoria and surrounding counties. We have met that commitment each year. Our pro bono program with Prairie State is handled primarily by our first and second year associates and a paralegal coordinator. This effort allows our younger attorneys to be involved in cases from start to finish, affords them client interaction and courtroom experience, and helps those in need.

Our firm was honored as the Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year by the Peoria County Pro Bono Plan – a joint project of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. and the Peoria County Bar Association – in 2014, and from 2006-2009. Several of our younger lawyers have also been individually recognized for their pro bono efforts. The firm continues to do extensive pro bono work for Prairie State's clients.

Our pro bono efforts go beyond formal associations with legal service organizations. Lawyers in all of our offices provide volunteer legal services to many community organizations and religious bodies each year. Additionally, we financially support the pro bono efforts in our communities and provide leadership for their financial campaigns.

We encourage pro bono efforts by our lawyers and recognize such efforts as a responsibility of our profession.