The Northern District of Illinois Honors Team’s Pro Bono Representation of Client in the SOAR Program
News
May 1, 2023
On May 1, a Jenner & Block team was honored at the Northern District of Illinois Pro Bono Awards ceremony for their work on behalf of a client who participated in the court’s Sentencing Options that Achieve Results (SOAR) Program.
Our client was a licensed nurse who faced disciplinary proceedings after an arrest. In proceedings to maintain her nursing credentials in Texas, California, and Indiana, the team prevailed, which allowed our client to keep her nursing licenses and continue her work as a nursing instructor.
The team included Partners Brandon Fox, Shoba Pillay, and Melissa Root and Associates Jenna Conwisar and Sara Stappert. Shoba helped form and operate SOAR when she served as an Assistant US Attorney. The diversion program provides an alternative to incarceration for non-violent federal pretrial defendants.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
May 1, 2023
On May 1, a Jenner & Block team was honored at the Northern District of Illinois Pro Bono Awards ceremony for their work on behalf of a client who participated in the court’s Sentencing Options that Achieve Results (SOAR) Program.
Our client was a licensed nurse who faced disciplinary proceedings after an arrest. In proceedings to maintain her nursing credentials in Texas, California, and Indiana, the team prevailed, which allowed our client to keep her nursing licenses and continue her work as a nursing instructor.
The team included Partners Brandon Fox, Shoba Pillay, and Melissa Root and Associates Jenna Conwisar and Sara Stappert. Shoba helped form and operate SOAR when she served as an Assistant US Attorney. The diversion program provides an alternative to incarceration for non-violent federal pretrial defendants.
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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