News Tag: JEP
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 ...August 3, 2017
Justice Entrepreneurs Project Accepting Applications
At the Justice Entrepreneurs Project, we prepare talented and entrepreneurial lawyers in the Chicago area to manage innovative, socially conscious, and successful law practices. We believe in the power of entrepreneurial lawyers to make a difference as solo practitioners in the quest to ensure access to justice for all. Are you a recently admitted lawyer interested in obtaining the skills and resources necessary to build an innovative and successful law practice? Are you interested in making a positive impact on your community as a social entrepreneur? We offer access to mentorship, continuing legal education, a network of like-minded individuals, and subsidized resources to kick start a legal practice targeted at the underserved middle market of potential clients.
The JEP is seeking applications for its next class of participants who will begin the program November of 2017. Applications must be received by Friday, September 8, 2017 to be considered for the November 2017 JEP cohort.
Tags: Apply or Nominate | JEP read more ...
May 17, 2017
JEP Welcomes New Cohort of Participants
On May 8, the Justice Entrepreneurs Project welcomed a new cohort of participants into the incubator program. They are the ninth class of lawyers to join the JEP network, which now includes over 50 solo and small law firms with lawyers who are currently participating in or have completed the JEP program. We are excited to help these seven attorneys build innovative, affordable, and accessible law practices that meet the needs of low and moderate income people in and around Chicago. The participant attorneys, for their part, are eager to begin their pro bono residencies at CBF-supported legal aid organizations.
Tags: JEP read more ...March 23, 2017
JEP Shares Ideas, Lessons Learned at National Conference
Justice Entrepreneurs Project attorneys Magda Derisma, Sonny Thatch, Alyease Jones, and Cliff Helm joined JEP Director Trevor Clarke in Fort Worth, Texas, for the Fourth Annual Access to Justice through Legal Incubators and Nonprofit Law Firms conference. As in years past, the JEP played a prominent role at the three day conference, adding our voices to plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, and breakout groups. The JEP is the largest incubator in the country, responsible for the most incubator participants and alumni (objectively), and the most successful and innovative firms (subjective, yes, but we haven’t heard of any challengers). As such, the JEP has learned a lot, and has a lot to share, about meeting the needs of low and moderate income people through new models of legal service delivery.
Tags: Incubator | JEP | Legal innovation read more ...January 20, 2017
CBF & JEP Pricing Toolkit Recognized by the ABA
The CBF and its Justice Entrepreneurs Project are being recognized by the ABA for the Pricing Toolkit. The Toolkit provides lawyers practical guidance on alternative pricing options to help them deliver value in a way that is more predictable, transparent and accessible for regular people. The Toolkit came about after the CBF discovered in the early stages of the […]
Tags: Awards | JEP | Resources read more ...January 17, 2017
JEP Accepting Applications for Participants
The Justice Entrepreneurs Project is seeking entrepreneurial and public interest-minded recent law graduates for its next class of lawyers who will begin the program in May 2017.
At the Justice Entrepreneurs Project, we prepare talented and entrepreneurial lawyers in the Chicago area to manage innovative, socially conscious, and successful law practices. We believe in the power of entrepreneurial lawyers to make a difference as solo practitioners in the quest to ensure access to justice for all.
Tags: Apply or Nominate | JEP read more ...November 15, 2016
New JEP Attorneys Begin Program, Pro Bono Residencies
On November 7, the Justice Entrepreneurs Project welcomed its 8th cohort of participants into the program. We are excited to help these seven attorneys build innovative, affordable, and accessible law practices that meet the needs of low and moderate income individuals in and around Chicago. The participant attorneys, for their part, are excited to begin their pro bono residencies this week at CBF-supported pro bono and legal aid organizations.
Tags: JEP read more ...August 31, 2016
From the JEP to Pizza—The StopAlong Opens Today
As Director of the CBF Justice Entrepreneurs Project from 2013 to 2015, Taylor Hammond guided dozens of newer lawyers in starting their innovative practices. From determining what services to offer clients, to dotting the i’s on insurance coverage, he watched JEP participants build thriving businesses from the ground up. And then he got the entrepreneur itch […]
Tags: CBF Staff | JEP read more ...August 17, 2016
Art Sussman (1942-2016)
The CBF mourns the passing of Art Sussman, a great lawyer and an even better person. Among Art’s many contributions to making our community a better place over the course of his accomplished legal career, Art was one of the charter members of the Steering Committee that developed the CBF’s Justice Entrepreneurs Project. Art played an integral part in taking the kernels of a good idea to shape and grow the JEP into the thriving initiative it is today. The MacArthur Foundation and the University of Chicago both published good articles about Art and a life well lived, and we extend our condolences to Art’s family and many friends.
Tags: Above and Beyond Volunteers | JEP read more ...July 5, 2016
JEP Accepting Applications for Participants
The JEP is seeking entrepreneurial and public interest-minded recent law graduates for its next class of lawyers who will begin the program in November 2016. JEP participants will create law practices serving low and moderate income clients. Applications are due Wednesday, August 31.
Tags: Apply or Nominate | JEP read more ...