About Us

The Rerum Novarum Human and Civil Rights Center of Chicago serves as the pro-bono arm of the nationally well known Chicago criminal defense law firm of Durkin & Roberts. The Center provides pro-bono legal representation on selected cases dealing with human rights and civil liberties, including especially federal and state court criminal matters. Rerum Novarum does not take on routine civil matters, but will attempt to refer inquiries about civil matters to other Chicago firms cooperating with Rerum Novarum. Rerum Novarum’s principle office is located at the offices of Durkin & Roberts on LaSalle Street in the heart of the Chicago Loop.

The choice of the name Rerum Novarum stems from Mr. Durkin’s relationship with Leo High School in Chicago’s South Side Auburn Park Community at 901 W. 79th Street from where he graduated in 1964.  Leo High School is named after Pope Leo XIII who issued the classic Roman Catholic encyclical by that name in 1891on the Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor. Rerum Novarum remains today the foundational text of Catholic social justice teaching, and it is in this spirit that our work is centered. Durkin & Roberts, however, has no affiliation with the Archdiocese of Chicago or the Roman Catholic Church.  

Rerum Novarum

209 S. LaSalle St, Suite 950 
Chicago, IL 60604
United States