The slogan of the Chicago-based Law Offices of Steven J. Malman & Associates PC ? ?Protecting the Rights of the Injured? ? always speaks for itself, but it speaks loudest and clearest when attorney Steven Malman and his staff take on pro-bono cases.

The firm doesn?t have a specific pro bono division, but ?if we can help someone, we do it,? its namesake noted. While every client is entitled to Malman Law?s ?zero fee guarantee? ? there?s no fee unless and until client compensation is collected ? it has been known to offer services gratis to those who need it most.

In 2011, the firm handled more free-of-charge cases than ever before, citing not only the rights but the needs of clients stung by the arrows of the treacherous economy.

?With the recession just beginning to turn around, there are a lot of people out there in serious financial straits,? Steven Malman said. ?We?re always happy to see if we can help them out.

?We don?t always do it; it depends on the case,? he added. ?But the truth is, current and former clients tend to call us with various personal injury-related questions and other matters, and even if it?s something we don?t normally handle, we?re happy to see what we can do.?