The NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ) and the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers are please to join forces for an evening of fun, camaraderie, and entertainment while raising money for criminal legal reform. 

The NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ) and the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers are please to join forces for an evening of fun, camaraderie, and entertainment while raising money for criminal legal reform. 

The Board of Directors oversees the business and affairs of the organization and sets organization policy. The Board meets at least four times per year. It includes 35 directly-elected Directors and four Affiliate Representatives, all serving three-year terms of office. The seven officers of the association and the past presidents are also voting members at meetings of the Board of Directors. In addition, a parliamentarian, who is appointed by the president, serves as a non-voting participant at all Board meetings. Read more about NACDL's Board of Directors.

NACDL's staff is committed to the association's mission and to serving the association's membership.

NACDL's staff is committed to the association's mission and to serving the association's membership.

NACDL's staff is committed to the association's mission and to serving the association's membership.

The Board of Directors oversees the business and affairs of the organization and sets organization policy. The Board meets at least four times per year. It includes 35 directly-elected Directors and four Affiliate Representatives, all serving three-year terms of office. The seven officers of the association and the past presidents are also voting members at meetings of the Board of Directors. In addition, a parliamentarian, who is appointed by the president, serves as a non-voting participant at all Board meetings. Read more about NACDL's Board of Directors.

NACDL's staff is committed to the association's mission and to serving the association's membership.

The Board of Directors oversees the business and affairs of the organization and sets organization policy. The Board meets at least four times per year. It includes 35 directly-elected Directors and four Affiliate Representatives, all serving three-year terms of office. The seven officers of the association and the past presidents are also voting members at meetings of the Board of Directors. In addition, a parliamentarian, who is appointed by the president, serves as a non-voting participant at all Board meetings. Read more about NACDL's Board of Directors.

On March 18, 1963, in Gideon v. Wainwright, the U.S. Supreme Court laid the foundation for our nation’s public defense system. In their ruling the Court made clear that providing counsel to those facing criminal charges was a “fundamental right, essential to a fair trial.” Today we continue to fight to make the constitutional promises of counsel and of a fair trial realities.

The NFCJ provides critical funds to help NACDL meet its mission. To help raise these funds, NFCJ holds various fundraising events throughout the year.  Below is a listing of currently planned events, and links to past events which include listings of our very generous sponsors. To them, and all who support the NFCJ, we are grateful.

Few names in public defense are as iconic as that of Clarence Earl Gideon. In 1961, with an 8th grade education and a history of being in and out of jail, Gideon stood trial for burglary of a Florida pool hall. When the court called the case and asked if he was ready for trial Gideon replied "I am not ready, your Honor." When the judge asked why, he explained "I have no counsel." 

NACDL's staff is committed to the association's mission and to serving the association's membership.

NACDL's staff is committed to the association's mission and to serving the association's membership.

NACDL's staff is committed to the association's mission and to serving the association's membership.