Pro Bono Matters
at Jenner & Block
As a leader in pro bono service, we rely on commitment from lawyers, corporate clients, nonprofit organizations, and professional staff. Together, we make a difference for our pro bono clients: challenging laws, championing rights, and changing lives. Now, we enter year four of our five-year pledge to provide $250 million in free legal assistance—ahead of target and more invested than ever. We are all in.
OUR PRO BONO COMMITMENT
Making Pro Bono Count
As we enter year four of our five-year pledge to provide $250 million in free legal assistance, we remain ahead of target and more invested than ever. We are all in.
PRISONER RIGHTS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Challenging the De Facto Life Sentence of a Client Convicted at 17
In 1998, 17-year-old Saphonte Kuykendoll was convicted of murder and home invasion and was sentenced to 90 years in prison. For almost a decade, we challenged Saphonte’s sentence and in May 2023, we succeeded. After more than 27 years in prison, Saphonte is now a free man.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Supporting Efforts to Revitalize Chicago Neighborhood
In 2023, we continued to support Bright Star Community Outreach on a variety of projects, including counseling Bright Star on its purchase of The Urban Resilience Network (TURN) Center, which aims to confront the systemic violence and trauma impacting the neighborhood.
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Asylum and Immigration
Our lawyers are proud to navigate complex asylum and immigration law to help our brave clients write the next chapter in their lives. In 2023, an Afghan female judge, four university students, and a military pilot were all formally approved for resettlement more than two years after the fall of Kabul.
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Civil Rights and Social Impact
In 2023, we advocated for free and fair elections, challenged unconstitutional laws banning essential abortion care and gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, and championed the rights of children and teens.
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Community Support
A community may be a neighborhood, a geographical district, or simply a group of people united in purpose. In 2023, our lawyers provided essential support to a variety of communities.
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Prisoner Rights and Criminal Justice
We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone in the criminal justice system receives fair treatment and access to legal services. In 2023, we proudly advocated on behalf of a youth sentenced to life in prison and an inmate suffering from extraordinary medical conditions.