Welcome to the Patton Legal Aid Training Academy!
Are you a staff member at a CBF grantee organization?
If so, you’re eligible for a wide range of free training and professional development opportunities through the Patton Legal Aid Training Academy (PLATA)!
Our programs are broken down into four categories, described below. Participants are encouraged to pick and choose courses from different categories to suit their learning needs and professional development objectives. The Course Description for each program will give details about who is recommended to attend.
PLATA Course Categories
Courses in this category prepare attendees to become leaders—or become better leaders—through offerings that focus on supervisory skills, non-profit finance and management, and more. Leadership Skills “1.0” courses are intended for experienced professionals looking to advance their careers and prepare for leadership roles, while “2.0” courses are geared toward existing leadership, such as Executive Directors and their deputies.
Courses in this category will develop attendees’ “hard” lawyering skills, such as trial advocacy or motions practice. Lawyering Skills “1.0” courses are geared toward newer attorneys (0-4 years), while “2.0” courses are intended for more experienced attorneys.
Courses in this category teach attendees essential professional skills that will make them better advocates for their clients and team members to their colleagues. These courses are intended for all legal aid staff, regardless of position, looking to build professional and interpersonal skills.
Courses in this category will enhance attendees’ physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing in a demanding field of work. These courses are intended for all legal aid staff, regardless of position, looking to learn how to promote their own wellness and support the wellness of their colleagues
Getting Started
Here’s how to get started on your educational and professional development journey with PLATA!
Review our FAQs and the PLATA Registration and Cancellation Policy.
Bookmark or subscribe to the PLATA Calendar for the most up-to-date catalogue of training opportunities.
Sign up for the PLATA newsletter for a monthly digest of upcoming training opportunities.
Tap into your PLI and CBA CLEAdvantage Program accounts for full access to an additional suite of on-demand trainings.
Did you know?
Practising Law Institute (PLI)
The Practising Law Institute (PLI) has granted access to its full suite of PLI’s On-Demand content at no cost to PLATA attorneys. Each organization has its account as part of PLI’s Pro Bono Membership program, through which you can log in to access the On-Demand programming. If your organization is not a Pro Bono Member, your administrator should contact Leonard McKenzie, who manages this program. Leonard can be reached at 212-824-5826 or lmckenzie@pli.edu.
CBA CLEAdvantage Program
The CBF provides for CBA CLEAdvantage Plan membership for attorneys at grantee organizations. Not sure about your membership status? Reach out to your supervisor for more information, or to Sarah Blair at sblair@chicagobarfoundation.org if you need additional help.
The Patton Legal Aid Training Academy is made possible through the generous support of Steve and Linda Patton and pro bono contributions from across the Chicago legal community.