June 18, 2026 Global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte is proud to share that Bill Boies has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 ABA Pro Bono Publico Award presented by the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Services.
For more than five decades, Bill has built a distinguished career as a nationally recognized litigator, focusing on the defense of complex financial class action litigation. Alongside his professional success, he has led groundbreaking efforts to expand funding for legal aid organizations serving low-income communities across the United States.
A pioneer in the use and defense of cy pres awards – residual funds from class action settlements – Bill has spent over twenty years advocating for these resources to be directed toward legal aid and nonprofit organizations. His leadership has helped establish cy pres funding as a critical financial lifeline for legal services nationwide.
Bill played a key role in developing Illinois legislation that channels unclaimed class action settlement funds to organizations that promote access to justice. That framework has since become a national model, influencing similar rules now adopted in 27 states. He has also advised jurisdictions across the country and supported national efforts encouraging broader adoption of these practices.
In addition to his legislative and policy work, Bill has been instrumental in defending cy pres awards in courts across the country. Through amicus briefs filed in multiple U.S. Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court, he has helped safeguard millions of dollars intended to support legal aid organizations. He also advises national and state IOLTA programs about political challenges to IOLTA interest going to fund legal aid providers.
His impact extends beyond litigation. Bill is a frequent author and speaker on access-to-justice issues and continues to mentor lawyers and advocate for systemic solutions that expand legal services for underserved populations.
Reflecting his humility, Bill has said, "What legal aid organizations can do with the money is awfully important. What I know how to do is get the money for the people who do the work and make an impact."
The Pro Bono Publico Award celebrates lawyers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged. Bill Boies' decades of leadership, innovation, and dedication exemplify the very spirit of the award.
Read more about the 2026 honorees.
About the ABA Pro Bono Committee
The ABA's Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service works to ensure access to justice through the expansion and enhancement of the delivery of legal and other law-related services to the underserved through volunteer efforts of legal professionals nationwide. The Committee fosters the development of pro bono programs and activities by law firms, bar associations, corporate legal departments, law schools, government attorney offices and others; analyzes the scope and function of pro bono programs; and proposes and reviews policy that affects lawyers' ability to provide pro bono legal services.