Jenner & Block Team to Receive Northern District of Illinois Pro Bono Award

The US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (NDIL) and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association will honor a Jenner & Block team with the 2025 Pro Bono and Public Interest Award for Excellence on May 1 during a ceremony. The award recognizes lawyers who have made significant contributions to NDIL and the community through pro bono representation and advocacy.

The Jenner team was appointed by the NDIL to represent a client in a Hague Convention child abduction case. The client, who resided in Mexico, had legal custody of his three children before they were taken to the United States by their mother, who had claimed asylum. The team conducted a six-day hearing, and although the judge ultimately issued a final judgment against the client, the court issued a subsequent minute order thanking Jenner & Block for its pro bono service.

The team included Partners Reid ScharSarah Futernick, and Alexis Bates, Associates Hope Tone-O’KeefeMegan CahillaneKatherine FunderburgTomi JohnsonMichael Pearson, Senior Paralegal Micah Horan, former Associate Sara Hickey, and Summer Associate John Baisley.

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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.

Jenner & Block Team to Receive Northern District of Illinois Pro Bono Award

The US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (NDIL) and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association will honor a Jenner & Block team with the 2025 Pro Bono and Public Interest Award for Excellence on May 1 during a ceremony. The award recognizes lawyers who have made significant contributions to NDIL and the community through pro bono representation and advocacy.

The Jenner team was appointed by the NDIL to represent a client in a Hague Convention child abduction case. The client, who resided in Mexico, had legal custody of his three children before they were taken to the United States by their mother, who had claimed asylum. The team conducted a six-day hearing, and although the judge ultimately issued a final judgment against the client, the court issued a subsequent minute order thanking Jenner & Block for its pro bono service.

The team included Partners Reid ScharSarah Futernick, and Alexis Bates, Associates Hope Tone-O’KeefeMegan CahillaneKatherine FunderburgTomi JohnsonMichael Pearson, Senior Paralegal Micah Horan, former Associate Sara Hickey, and Summer Associate John Baisley.

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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