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Judge Dorothy Kirie Kinnaird (1949 – 2020)
Making Law Better By Looking Outside of Law—The Wrap
CBA/CBF Task Force Preparing to Release Draft Report for Public Comment
A Time for Our Legal Community to Reflect and Act
Illinois Supreme Court Enters Order Supporting CARES Act Housing Protections
September 14, 2017
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria How to Help on the Legal Aid and Pro Bono Fronts
Post has been updated to include information relief for victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria also.
As we continue to tackle our local access to justice challenges, we are also greatly concerned about the devastation from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. The human toll is creating huge challenges for everyone, and there are lots of ways to contribute through the Red Cross, Salvation Army and others to help meet some of those immediate needs.
As the recovery process begins, many thousands of people are going to need legal help for storm-related issues as well.
Tags: Pro Bono | Resources read more ...September 13, 2017
New Limited Scope Representation Toolkit a Great Resource for Lawyers to Expand Their Practice and Improve Access to Justice
A new Limited Scope Representation Toolkit released by the CBF and others is a practical resource for Illinois lawyers seeking to expand or add limited scope representation as one of their service offerings. A number of recent reports have shown there is a huge untapped demand for limited scope representation, and expanding the availability of these services can go a long way towards improving access to justice in our community.
The CBF and our Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP) developed the toolkit in partnership with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, The Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, and The Chicago Bar Association. The resources in this toolkit including rules, forms, checklists, and a sample engagement letter are intended to assist attorneys in understanding the limited scope rules and using them in an ethical and effective manner to make their services more accessible and affordable for clients who might not otherwise be able to afford full representation.
Tags: Future of the Profession | JEP | Resources read more ...September 7, 2017
Support the DREAM Act
President Trump’s decision this week to end the DACA program leaves thousands of young people who have done nothing wrong in legal limbo. These dreamers are making huge contributions to our economy, our communities, and our country. The bipartisan DREAM Act fixes this crucial flaw in our nation’s broken immigration laws by creating a legal path for these young people to gain permanent legal status and continue contributing to their communities. Please contact Senator Durbin and thank him for his leadership in cosponsoring the DREAM Act, and encourage Senator Duckworth and your local Representative in Congress to support the Act (S.1615/H.R. 3440), which promotes our nation’s core values and the rule of law.
Tags: Advocacy | Immigration read more ...
August 29, 2017
Mediate the CCR Way: The Essentials of the CCR Model
Have you ever wondered if mediation is for you but didn’t have the resources to commit to a standard 40-hour training program? Attend the Center for Conflict Resolution’s one day training on November 4th to learn the basics, how to become a CCR volunteer, and earn six CLE credits.
Tags: Pro Bono | Volunteer read more ...August 24, 2017
Forcible Entry and Detainer No More
Last week, Governor Rauner signed Public Act 100-0173 into law, simplifying the law governing evictions in Illinois by changing the confusing title and archaic language of the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act. The CBA and CBF partnered this year to spearhead this legislative initiative. By changing the name of the Act to the Eviction Act, and changing the similarly confusing name of the order used for evictions from order of possession to eviction order, the eviction process will now be more user-friendly and understandable for tenants and landlords alike.
Tags: Advocacy read more ...August 24, 2017
Put Yourself in Your Own Shoes Part 2 (Where I Answer My Own Questions)
In my June post, I suggested we should look at our profession and the market for legal services by putting ourselves in our own shoes when we look for other professional services. So what does that look like? I raised the questions in June. Now I’ll give my best shot at answering them.
Tags: Billable hour | Future of the Profession | Legal Innovation read more ...August 23, 2017
Chris Lee Awarded 2017 Marovitz Scholarship
Christen David Lee started each of his high school days on the bus from his home in Austin and North Lawndale to Lincoln Park High School. Outside the windows, he watched the blocks of vacant lots and dilapidated buildings of the city’s west side slowly change into an entirely different world, where mansions sat across the street from his school. Chris, recipient of the 2017 CBF Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Public Interest Law Scholarship, was struck by the incredible inequalities of Chicago.
Tags: Fellowships & Scholarships | Marovitz Scholarship read more ...August 21, 2017
Navigating People Through the Maze of Bankruptcy
The Bankruptcy Court Self Help Assistance Desk, run by Legal Aid Chicago, does just what you would expect it to do helps clients file for bankruptcy as they seek relief from suffocating piles of debt. But as with bankruptcy itself, the full reality is much more complicated and the help much more far-reaching than that.
The Desk aids unrepresented filers at every point in the bankruptcy process, which can be daunting and complex. In Room 622 of the Dirksen Building, pro bono attorneys and lawyers from Legal Aid Chicago answer general questions about bankruptcy, help visitors decide if bankruptcy is their best option, and help prepare forms for people without lawyers in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The Desk eases the burden on the court by helping patrons evaluate their options before unnecessarily filing for bankruptcy. Each year, about 44,000 bankruptcy cases are filed in the Northern District of Illinois, the most in the country, so every bit of paperwork reduction helps the court run more efficiently. Launched in 2007 as a partnership with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Legal Aid Chicago and the CBF, the Desk is one of the many projects you make possible through the Investing in Justice Campaign.
Tags: Court Help Desks | Grants | Investing in Justice Campaign | Pro Se read more ...July 26, 2017
Stand Up for Justice
As we got ready to honor eight truly outstanding lawyers at this year’s CBA and CBF’s Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon, I found some inspiration for my closing remarks while watching Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, where they once again took a break in the middle of the game for Stand up to Cancer.
Tags: Pro Bono & Public Service Awards Luncheon read more ...July 25, 2017
Take Action: Support LSC Funding
As the FY18 federal budget process continues, the relevant Senate Subcommittee has approved level funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) at $385 million. We encourage you to thank Senators Durbin and Duckworth for their strong support and to advocate with your Representative in the House to continue to support full funding for LSC.
Tags: Advocacy | Legal Aid Funding | LSC | Take Action read more ...