Gregory A. McConnell
Chief Pro Bono Officer
Greg oversees Winston’s pro bono practice in all firm offices, including the development of pro bono initiatives, special projects, and client relationships. He is nationally recognized for his leadership in the effective development of pro bono delivery models and systems, and has participated in numerous federal and state initiatives to increase pro bono services. In 2014 he was recognized as one of Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America.
Under Greg’s direction, the firm has annually ranked among the top 25 law firms in The American Lawyer pro bono rankings. Winston and its lawyers have been recognized with more than 90 awards for its service during his tenure. In 2016, more than 90% of its attorneys devoted at least 20 hours.
Greg is a founder of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel, a group of more than 180 pro bono professionals from large law firms, whose mission is to expand access to justice and develop the skills of law firm pro bono practice leaders. He currently serves as a member of the emeritus board of directors. Among other activities, Greg has helped develop eligibility criteria for business pro bono entities, including nonprofits, small businesses, and social enterprises.
Prior to joining Winston & Strawn, Greg was director and staff counsel of the American Bar Association Center for Pro Bono in Chicago. In that position, he directed the center’s nationwide efforts of developing and supporting the pro bono initiatives of bar associations, law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, legal services offices, and the judiciary.
Greg was appointed by the Northern District of Illinois to serve on its pro bono advisory committee. He serves on the board of the Uptown People’s Law Center, and previously served on the boards of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Community Economic Development Law Project, and the National Immigrant Justice Center’s leadership council. He also served on the board of directors for Seguin Services,Inc., a social service agency serving the needs of developmentally disabled individuals.
Greg was as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University School of Law, where he taught the Pro Bono Practice and Policy seminar class.
Credentials
Education
Greg received a B.A. in Finance in 1987 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received a J.D., with honors, in 1990 from the George Washington University School of Law.
Admissions
- Illinois
Related Insights & News
Greg frequently speaks and writes about pro bono issues. He has organized and led numerous panel discussions at the American Bar Association Equal Justice Conference and at various other state and local pro bono conferences. His articles have appeared in the Legal Technology News, the American Bar Association’s Dialogue magazine, and in other bar association newsletters.
He is frequently interviewed by various publications, including The American Lawyer, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Lawyer, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, and probono.net.
Greg McConnell Discusses the Future and Implementation of the Equal Rights Amendment with Fast Company
March 13, 2025
July 12, 2024
July 12, 2023
July 20, 2022