INTERNSHIP PROGRAM   |   FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM   |   EXTENDED PLACEMENT PROGRAM

PLEASE NOTE:

PILI, along with The Chicago Bar Foundation, has been working with Illinois' public interest law organizations to gather information about these organizations, their ability to host extended placements and the types of work available for the placement.  To best assist law firms and individual attorneys interested in extended placements, we encourage you to use PILI as a broker for extended placements. 

The following agencies participate in the Extended Placement Program.  We are in continued communication with these agencies and are updating this site regularly to include status information about each agencies ability to accept placements.  Therefore, the status of an agency may change reguarly due to a number of factors, so please be sure to check back frequently.

If you are looking for an Extended Placement, PILI is able to provide you with assistance in securing such as position at participating public interest law organizations in Illinois.  You should review the list of Participating Agencies and send a list of your top choices, along with your resume, anticipated start date at the agency, anticipated start date at the firm and the firm you will be working to us by e-mail. We will then share your resume with our contacts at the organizations.  The public interest law organizations are interviewing candidates and are the ones responsible for making the offer to Extended Placement candidates.

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ACCESS LIVING OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO

115 West Chicago Avenue

Chicago, IL 60610

Website: www.accessliving.org

Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago is a cross disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities.  We strive to enhance the opportunities of persons with disabilities to live individualized and satisfying lives.  To this end, Access Living undertakes advocacy and service programs that reach the entire spectrum of disability from hearing and sight to physical and mental disabilities.  Access Living's mission includes addressing major impediments to independent living for people with disabilities, such as discrimination in housing, government services and public accommodations.

Access Living has a Civil Rights Team, which enforces federal, state and local civil rights laws -- including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act -- that prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities.  Attorneys and legal assistants counsel persons with disabilities about their civil rights, advocate for systemic change within the disability rights arena, and represent persons with disabilities in cases implicating important disability rights issues.

Attorneys in Extended Placements interview clients, investigate cases, conduct legal research, and draft legal documents.  They will likely act as the main point-person on certain cases and be expected to negotiate with opposing parties.  They may also appear in court.  A concerted effort is made to integrate these attorneys into the day-to-day operations of the organization; hence, they participate in staff meetings, Team meetings and other relevant events.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE

(formerly CHICAGOLAND BICYCLE FEDERATION)

9 W. Hubbard Street, Suite 402

Website:  www.activetrans.org

The Active Transportation Alliance works to improve the walking, bicycling & public transit environment and thereby the quality of life in the region.   Our goal is to reduce traffic fatalities by 50% in twenty years and increase the number of people who choose to walk, bike or take transit to 50% of all trips.   We align our advocacy with social equity and community improvement and we embrace the power of a broad multi-modal coalition to achieve our mission.

The Fellow will assist staff counsel in pursuing our legislation at the federal, state and local levels to create more funding for alternative transportation projects and increased penalties for careless and distracted drivers.  Additionally, Extended Placements might help draft regulations to implement the Illinois Complete Streets Policy and other recent legislation.  Extended Placements will be closely supervised by staff attorneys and be involved in decision-making.  Extended Placements can expect to conduct legal research, examine the interaction of laws, regulations and ordinances, craft arguments and attend public meetings.  During their time with us Extended Placements will be fully integrated into our organization and will have the chance to attend a variety of meetings and workshops with our government partners.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

AIDS LEGAL COUNCIL OF CHICAGO
180 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2110
Website: www.aidslegal.com

The AIDS Legal Council of Chicago is the only organization in metropolitan Chicago exclusively devoted to providing legal services and legal information/advocacy to persons affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus ("HIV"). The Council provides legal services directly and through a panel of volunteer lawyers in the following specialties of law: employment; insurance; discrimination; bankruptcy; HIV testing; confidentiality; immigration; estate planning; guardianship; and public benefits.

Extended Placements spend a substantial amount of time dealing directly with clients and handling day-to-day legal matters.  For example, Extended Placements will interview clients, counsel clients about HIV/AIDS-related legal matters, draft wills and powers of attorney, conduct legal research, draft legal memoranda and briefs, and represent clients in administrative proceedings. 

STATUS: This agency is currently accepting applications for placements starting on or after August 15, 2010.

ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES

(formerly LAKE MICHIGAN FEDERATION)
17 N. State Street, Suite 1390
Website:  www.greatlakes.org

The Alliance for the Great Lakes works to conserve and restore the world's largest freshwater resource through policy, education and local efforts aimed at preserving the Great Lakes region as a national treasure. It also works with the region's residents, enhancing their understanding of how they can help, too. To that end, we draw on many resources, working with teachers, scientists, economists, legal specialists, government representatives, communities and individuals. Since 1970, the Alliance has been working with people from around the region to promote Great Lakes-wide policy reform and site-specific restoration. The Extended Placements would assist the Alliance's staff with projects to protect the Great Lakes. Examples might include assisting community groups with opposing pollution from a new power plant, working to improve laws and regulations that protect the Great Lakes or working to stop sewer overflows into the Great Lakes, through collaboration and other methods.

STATUS: This agency is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

ASIAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE
4753 N. Broadway St., Ste. 904
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: 773.271.0899 x 103
Website: www.aaichicago.org

Asian American Institute (AAI) is a pan-Asian, non-partisan, non-profit organization located in Chicago, Illinois, whose mission is to empower the Asian American community through advocacy, coalition-building, education, and research. AAI was established in 1992 in response to the need for the quickly growing and diverse Asian American communities in Chicago to develop consensus on a pan-Asian agenda. AAI is affiliated with the Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles, the Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco, and the Asian American Justice Center in Washington, D.C. AAI's programs include legal advocacy, community organizing, and leadership development.

AAI is seeking an Extended Placement to work in the areas of voting rights and redistricting. This is an exciting time to work on such legal issues, as there will be several key elections and redistricting activities taking place in the Chicago area in 2010 and 2011. The Extended Placement will help lead AAI’s redistricting efforts by analyzing various novel issues in voting rights law, as well as creating legal and practical guidelines for drawing districts that empower historically disenfranchised communities. The Extended Placement will also assist AAI with researching and implementing civil rights initiatives in the areas of language access, hate crimes, and affirmative action.

STATUS: This organziation is currently accepting applications for placements starting as of August 1, 2010.

BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
11 East Adams Street, Suite 608
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Website: bettergov.org

The Better Government Association (BGA) is an eighty six-year old nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to combating waste, fraud and corruption in government through a combination of investigative research, policy analysis and public education initiatives. Recent examples of the BGA's work include:

• Exposing the contractors and donations to former Governor Rod Blagojevich in relation to the Dan Ryan Project. After partnering with the Chicago Sun-Times, the BGA obtained a list of contractors for the project that $375 million over budget. The Illinois Department of Transportation initially refused the request for a list of contractors and the investigation uncovered the department doesn’t even keep a list of subcontractors.

• Publishing the second edition of the Better Government Association Integrity Index, establishing a baseline measurement of the relative strength of existing laws promoting state government integrity in each of the 50 states.
  

Extended Placements will work on a wide variety of legal questions resulting from the BGA's work, including preparing public testimony, legal briefs, monitoring public interest litigation and other activities as needed. Extended Placements are welcome to suggest projects which may be of interest to the BGA and appropriate to their chosen area of law.

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE FOR THE  PUBLIC INTEREST

223 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 620

Chicago IL 60606
Website: www.bpichicago.org

Business and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI), a 33 year-old public interest law center, has a diverse practice that concentrates in fair housing, community revitalization, school reform, and the environment.  BPI's mission is to improve the quality of life for residents of the metropolitan area by assisting those whose interests would otherwise be under-represented.

Our mission allows BPI to take on a broad array of projects.  For example, we have helped provide enhanced life opportunities to 25,000 victims of CHA racial discrimination, secured the largest refund in public utility history for Commonwealth Edison customers, won a landmark lawsuit halting construction of an outer suburban toll highway on environmental grounds, and encouraged the development of dozens of "small schools" in Chicago, arguably the most hopeful public education reform.

With a diverse staff of lawyers, policy analysts, and community organizers, and partnerships with community organizations, civic groups, legal advocacy groups, and other non-profits, BPI is able to adopt multifaceted strategies in most projects.  We employ a variety of tools based on a project's needs, including litigation, policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, collaboration with business and community organizations, and academic research.

Extended Placements research legal and policy issues, write memoranda, briefs, and policy papers, develop legal strategies, and participate in various aspects of our community organizing work, all in connection with the projects described above.  Occasionally, Extended Placements assist in trial proceedings and attend hearings. 

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

CARPLS
Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services
17 N. State Street, Suite 1850
Chicago, Illinois  60602
Website: www.carpls.org

CARPLS is a one of Cook County’s largest legal aid organizations, assisting over 50,000 clients a year. CARPLS runs Cook County’s legal aid hotline and four court based pro se advice desks. CARPLS attorneys provide advice, information, and referrals to low-income residents of Cook County. Our mission is to increase access to the legal system for low-income people through our hotline work and our court-based advice desks, which prepare clients to represent themselves on pro se matters, and our self-help projects, which provide written and web-based pro se and client education materials. CARPLS' services are provided by both staff attorneys and volunteers.

CARPLS will train Extended Placements in at least three substantive legal areas (consumer/bankruptcy, landlord/tenant and divorce law). Extended Placements will work on a rotating schedule at our Domestic Relations Advice Desk, our post judgment Collections Desk, and our Municipal Court Advice Desk, where Extended Placements will interview and advise pro se litigant clients and draft pleadings and motions for them. The Extended Placements will also interview and advise clients at the CARPLS legal aid hotline over the telephone. Extended Placements will also assist Supervising Attorneys in legal research and in the drafting of legal standards and recommended legal advice and strategy for the CARPLS Knowledge Management system, and will assist in the drafting of self-help materials, including pleadings for pro se litigants. Extended Placements will also assist with other special projects, such as impact studies and in depth outcome studies, or other research, outreach or new projects.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES LEGAL ASSISTANCE

651 West Lake Street

Chicago, IL 60661

Website: www.catholiccharities.net/ccla

The mission of Catholic Charities Legal Assistance (CCLA) is to provide access to compassionate and competent legal assistance to the economically disadvantaged in the Chicago area. Attorneys at CCLA offer clients basic legal advice and referral services via a telephone hotline and in person. Services are free and available in Spanish. Clients in need of legal representation may be placed with a volunteer attorney from CCLA’s Pro Bono Network or directed to a legal aid organization. CCLA also operates monthly legal advice desks at some of Catholic Charities’ Evening Supper Programs. Educational seminars on various legal topics, such as collections, understanding juvenile court, powers of attorney for healthcare and property, and criminal expungement, are offered throughout Chicago and its suburbs.

An attorney in Extended Placement will provide legal advice and/or referrals to the program’s clients through the hotline and also through the advice desks at the Evening Supper Programs. The Extended Placement will also have opportunities to do legal research and drafting in order to develop policies and standards for the program and to continue to improve the quality of our services by developing user-friendly content regarding substantive law for our volunteers to access. CCLA is also expanding its program to provide in-house representation, and the Extended Placement will assist the Program Coordinator with developing and implementing policies and procedures for that expansion and will have opportunities to represent clients once in-house representation begins. The Extended Placement will gain broad knowledge of the areas of law that affect low-income individuals and also become integrated into the day-to-day operations of a growing program.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

CENTER FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION
11 East Adams Street, Suite 500

Chicago, IL 60603

Website: www.ccrchicago.org

The Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) is a Chicago-based organization founded in 1979. In the past three decades, CCR has grown to become one of the nation’s premier not-for-profit providers of mediation services and training. Since its founding, the organization’s volunteer mediators have handled over 30,000 disputes. In 2008, CCR’s 140 volunteers and 11 staff members provided mediation services in approximately 2,000 cases, directly serving over 4,000 people.

The Center for Conflict Resolution’s mission is to work with individuals, communities, courts, and other institutions to manage and resolve conflict. CCR is committed to providing the highest quality conflict resolution services; helping people in conflict arrive at their own solutions; being responsive to the needs of the broad community it serves; granting access to its services to all people regardless of means or identity; valuing its clients, volunteers and staff as essential to fulfilling its mission; and broadening awareness to the general public of the substantial benefits of conflict resolution.

CCR provides free mediation services for issues of community concern, public health, criminal misdemeanor, juvenile, landlord-tenant, small claims, employment discrimination, and Chancery Court cases throughout the Chicagoland region. Through its mediation services, CCR streamlines the judicial process, empowers individuals to find solutions to their problems, and ensures that mediation is available as an alternative to litigation, regardless of ability to pay.

Extended Placements would deliver direct mediation services both as a case manager and as a certified CCR mediator. Upon arrival, the Extended Placements would receive 40 hours of mediation training and individual coaching to become certified to both manage mediation referrals as well as mediate cases directly. The Extended Placements would report to the Mediation Services Director and work closely with the five member case management team. The Extended Placements would also meet regularly with Executive Director to assist with special projects and to ensure that his/her experience is rewarding and diverse.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

CENTER FOR DISABILITY AND ELDER LAW (CDEL)
79 West Monroe street, Suite 919
Chicago, Illinois 60603

Website: www.probonocdel.org

The Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) is a not-for-profit, pro bono Chicago law firm, serving low-income elderly and disabled persons since 1984. With 1,100 volunteer attorneys from throughout Chicago's distinguished legal community, CDEL handles cases in many practice areas, with the exceptions of criminal law, governmental benefits and personal injury law.

Chicago is home to 280,000 people with disabilities living below the poverty level. Of the nearly 500,000 elderly in Chicago, half are women who live alone in poverty. While studies show that 80% of the civil legal needs of Chicago's impoverished communities currently go unmet, CDEL works to bring equity to a legal system for those marginalized by poverty, disability and age.

Extended Placements have an opportunity to gain a broad working knowledge of the legal system, provide direct legal services to these most worthy individuals and a deeper understanding of individual practice areas, learn the protocol for pro bono legal services and become familiar with the every-day operation of a not-for-profit organization. Extended Placements will work under the direct supervision of CDEL Executive Director, Chief Legal Officer, Associate Director, staff attorneys and may work with CDEL volunteer attorneys. Opportunities for service include: conducting client intakes, performing research for CDEL programs and practice areas, case management and direct client representation (where appropriate).

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

CENTER FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS -- TAX CLINIC
29 East Madison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Website: www.centerforprogress.org

The Center’s Tax Clinic provides brief advice and legal representation to individuals and families facing a controversy with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and/or Illinois Department of Revenue (IDR). Through brief advice appointments the Clinic helps taxpayers interpret letters they have received from IRS/IDR and provides advice tailored to the taxpayer’s individual situation. Through representation the Clinic assists taxpayers in resolving issues primarily with audits, collections and U.S. Tax Court. Audits typically consist of demonstrating entitlement to certain benefits claimed on a tax return or demonstrating absence of liability where erroneous income has been reported such as in identity theft cases or cancellation of indebtedness after a foreclosure. Collections work involves assisting taxpayers in negotiating a reduction in total liability or making arrangements to resolve liability in a manner affordable to the taxpayer. It also involves the prevention and termination of wage or bank garnishments and liens. Representation of taxpayers before U.S Tax Court involves negotiation with IRS’s Appeals Division and, when necessary, litigation before the Court. The Extended Placement will be involved in all aspects of tax advice and representation work and will manage his or her own caseload under the supervision of the Clinic’s managing attorney.

STATUS: This organization is accepting applications for placements to begin on or after November 1, 2010.

CENTRO ROMERO
6216 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60660
  Website: www.CentroRomero.org

Bilingual (Spanish/English) ability is preferred but NOT required

CENTRO ROMERO is a not-for-profit community-based organization recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).  It was founded by refugees of El Salvador fleeing civil war, and is named for Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, who was assassinated during that conflict.

CENTRO ROMERO's Latin American Legal Assistance Services Program offers legal services and representation in family-based immigration, adjustment of status, consular processing, political asylum, cancellation of removal, NACARA suspension of deportation, temporary protected status, citizenship and naturalization, VAWA self-petitioning and adjustment, and general representation before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly the INS), in Immigration Court, and in the Chicago Asylum Office.

Extended Placements will be working under direct attorney supervision, and will become involved in those activities and cases currently in progression.  Specifically, Extended Placements may be assigned to conduct client interviews; correspond with clients or government agencies; collect, organize, evaluate, and assemble supporting documentary evidence; conduct factual or legal research; draft briefs, memorandums, annotated indices, motions, applications, petitions, and other papers and documents; assist in all aspects of immigration case progression from beginning to resolution; and prepare clients for Asylum Office Interviews or Immigration Court Hearings.  

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

CHICAGO ALLIANCE AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION (CAASE)

1609 Sherman Ave, Suite 306
Evanston, Illinois 60201

Website: www.caase.org

The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) works to eradicate sexual exploitation and harm through prevention work and public education, policy and legislative advocacy, and direct legal representation of individual survivors of sexual assault and exploitation (through the Justice Project Against Sexual Harm--JusticePASH). We are specifically committed to opposing demand for prostitution and eliminating rape, a dual focus that is necessitated by the empirical evidence that sexual assault is inextricably intertwined with prostitution, as well as our belief that both are critical practices and symptoms of sex inequality. Our three strategies (education, policy advocacy, and direct legal services) all seek to focus social attention on those individuals and entities that engage in sexual assault and/or benefit from the prostitution of others, with the ultimate goal of abolishing both. The specific mission of JusticePASH is to provide legal representation to survivors of sexual assault and exploitation who want the criminal system to prosecute the crimes done to them, or who want to use civil law to hold perpetrators accountable.

Extended Placements are being sought to assist CAASE's legal director in the representation of survivors of sexual assault and prostitution in civil litigation and through political advocacy within the criminal justice system. Attorney responsibilities will include: Legal research, drafting of pleadings (complaints, petitions for relief, motions, briefs), motion practice in state court, drafting demand letters, investigation work including interviewing of potential witnesses and potential experts. Depending on the prior education level and experience of the attorney directly related to working with survivors of sexual violence and exploitation, responsibilities could include interviewing and providing legal consultations with potential clients, and/or engaging in policy work related to the drafting of legislation related to sexual violence and exploitation. CAASE does not have administrative staff, so the attorney will also receive training in, and be expected to participate in performing a share of, the administrative tasks that undergird JusticePASH's legal work.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

THE CHICAGO APPLESEED FUND FOR JUSTICE
750 North Lake Shore Drive, 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60611

website: www.chicagoappleseed.org

The Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice, the Chicago affiliate of the Appleseed Foundation, is a part of a network of public interest advocacy centers located throughout the United States.  Our emphasis is research and advocacy designed to improve the judiciary, the legal profession, and our system of justice.  We operate three major programs: Government Effectiveness; Social Justice; and Public Education.

Through the Government Effectiveness Program, Chicago Appleseed conducts investigations into the fairness and effectiveness of courts and those aspects of government agencies that depend on the judicial system.  Examples of past investigations include the Chicago Dept. of Law, the Cook County Public Defender's Office, the Illinois Attorney General's Office, and the Child Support Division of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

Under the Social Justice Program, we conduct research and advocacy aimed at achieving fundamental, systemic reform -- addressing policies, practices, and structures that thwart social justice.   Examples include: the Child Support Panel that developed a model child support collection and enforcement system; the Child Support Initiative that includes both research into improving the current system and individual representation of parents in the system; and the Judicial Financing Project that conducts quantitative and interview research as part of our effort to develop proposals for reform.

Through the Public Education Program, we produce publications about legal issue that affect the public at large.  Examples include a handbook on tenant/landlord rights and a directory of free and low cost legal services in the Chicago metropolitan area.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

CHICAGO-KENT COLLEGE OF LAW

Illinois Institute of Technology Law Offices
565 West Adams Street, Suite 600

Chicago, Illinois 60661

The Law Offices, the locus of the clinical education programs of the Chicago-Kent College of Law, is a teaching law firm which provides representation in a broad range of criminal and civil litigation matters. The educational goals of its clinical programs are to educate the student participants to become reflective practitioners who are highly competent, ethical, and sensitive to their pro bono and other social responsibilities.

Extended Placements at the Law Offices will work on challenging criminal or civil litigation under the close supervision of one or more of nine of the Law Offices' in-house clinical professors, all experienced practicing attorneys. They will participate in all aspects of assigned cases. Extended Placements will be involved in client contact, litigation strategy sessions, legal research and writing, drafting pleadings and motions, discovery, settlement, trials or other court proceedings, etc. The two criminal defense attorneys represent defendants in felony cases in the federal and state courts. Two civil litigation attorneys concentrate on employment discrimination and civil rights matters but also handle other civil litigation. One attorney focuses on health law issues; one represents low-income persons with disputes before the Internal Revenue Service, United States Tax Court, and the U. S. District Court; one attorney focuses primarily on family law issues; and one attorney focuses on immigration and naturalization issues.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

CHICAGO LEGAL CLINIC, Inc.

Website: www.clclaw.org

Founded in 1981 by Edward Grossman (Executive Director) and the Most Rev. Thomas Paprocki (President), the Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc. provides low-cost and free legal services to
low-income individuals in the Chicago area. The Clinic’s four offices are located in the communities of South Chicago, Pilsen, Austin and Downtown. Clinic attorneys provide representation in the following areas of law: family law, domestic violence, social security disability, guardianships of disabled adults, decedents’ estates, immigration, collection defense, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant, real estate, contracts, ex-offender advocacy and environmental issues. Applicants who speak Spanish are preferred for the Clinic’s Pilsen Office (Immigration Program).

The Clinic supervises the Chancery Advice Desk located in the Daley Center and also supervises the Expedited Child Support and Paternity Advice Desk located at 32 W. Randolph Street.

Extended Placement Attorneys research legal issues, draft correspondence, pleadings, and motions, directly communicate with clients, and represent clients in court pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

CHICAGO VOLUNTEER LEGAL SERVICES FOUNDATION
100 North La Salle Street, Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Website: www.cvls.org

With more than 44 years of experience, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) is the first and pre-eminent pro bono civil legal aid provider in Chicago. With its pool of nearly 2,500 volunteer attorneys, CVLS is unique in its ability to offer a wide range of totally free civil legal aid to the poor and working poor on an individual basis. Leading the way in litigation, family law and guardianship, it is recognized as the most comprehensive, most efficient and most cost-effective civil legal aid provider in Chicago. To ensure its long-standing commitment to equal access to justice will endure, CVLS actively seeks volunteer attorneys to join in their programs, providing them with support, training and the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of civil legal matters. CVLS also reaches out to the community with 20 clinics that bring its dedication and expertise to benefit the lives of many.

CVLS is enthusiastically accepting full-or part-time extended pro bono placements that last six or more months. Attorneys can focus on a specific area of law, such as family, guardianship or mortgage foreclosure, or handle a general caseload. Either way, attorneys will be trained and closely supervised by experienced staff attorneys as they help clients find real solutions to real problems. Duties will include client interviewing, legal and factual research, the preparation of pleadings and documents, and handling all aspects of cases including pretrial, trial and post-trial proceedings for their clients.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for placement beginning September 1, 2010.

CITIZEN ADVOCACY CENTER
238 N. York Rd.

Elmhurst, Illinois 60126
Website: www.citizenadvocacycenter.org

The Citizen Advocacy Center builds democracy for the 21st century by strengthening public participation in community affairs.  The Center believes in developing self-government.  Three principal features distinguish us from other public interest and community organizations:  1) we are involved in a wide range of community issues; 2) we are not a legal intake office, but provide free assistance to individuals and community groups on issues of public concern; and 3) we litigate when necessary, but emphasize non-litigation approaches to strengthen the democratic process and to empower all citizens.

The Center promotes individual and community efforts to resolve contemporary societal problems in the western and far western suburbs of Chicago; we further public knowledge of democratic tools -- open government laws, voter initiative and referendum, and access to the airwaves and the electronic networks;  we stimulate citizen awareness and involvement in the community; we help citizens act on issues of public significance by guiding them through the maze of laws, rules, regulations and red tape; and we litigate on behalf of select citizen causes to confront undemocratic abuses of local power.  The Center also monitors local governments at the local levels.

Extended Placements work on a wide range of advocacy, from writing letters to the editor to all aspects of litigation.  They gain significant experience in public speaking, community organizing, legal research and writing, teaching, and shaping legal strategy.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

COOK COUNTY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN
Juvenile Division
2245 West Ogden Avenue
Chicago, Illinois  60612

Website: www.publicguardian.org

Attorneys in the Office of the Public Guardian's Juvenile Division represent nearly 7,500 children alleged to have been abused or neglected by their parent or guardian.  The Office has two practice groups in Juvenile Court:  attorneys who represent children on a daily basis, and attorneys who engage in impact litigation and appeals.  The Division has over 165 attorneys, child interviewers, investigators, and support staff.

Extended Placements may divide their time between the two practice groups.  Extended Placements will appear in Juvenile Court representing children at all stages of the proceedings, including temporary custody hearings, trials, and dispositional hearings.  They may also be involved in hearings for the termination of parental rights.  The children range in age from infants to 21-year-olds with some developmental disabilities.

Other litigation assignments may include drafting class action complaints, writing appellate briefs, interviewing children, and conducting investigations. The Office also handles appeals and damages actions on behalf of children who have been abused and even murdered in foster care.  Extended Placements must participate in our one week formal training program.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates interested in being placed with the Office of Public Guardian MUST be able to provide your own malpractice and wokers' compensation policies during your placement with the agency.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW PROJECT
100 North La Salle Street, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Susan Kaplan
312-939-3638; Fax: 312-427-6172
Website: www.cedlp.org

The Community Economic Development Law Project (CEDLP) is a long-standing project of the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The Law Project provides transactional pro bono legal assistance to community-based organizations involved in economic and affordable housing development to low income entrepreneurs and to first-time home buyers using various financial subsidies. In addition, the Law Project provides comprehensive legal assessments through teams of volunteer attorneys to nonprofit organizations. The majority of work is done through volunteers composed generally of attorneys from Chicago’s law firms. Typically, clients of the Law Project need assistance with securing tax exempt status, selecting an appropriate corporate structure, drafting and reviewing contracts and creating joint ventures with for profit corporations. Representation is often needed in the areas of real estate acquisition, zoning, and financing.

Extended Placements will conduct client interviews, do client follow-up, visit community organizations, draft tax exemption applications, by-laws, and articles of incorporation, and work with small business and home ownership clients. Extended Placements may also write articles for the Law Project’s newsletter or research legal issues specific to Illinois Nonprofit Corporations.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for placements beginning October 1, 2010.

COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS (CAIR) CHICAGO

Civil Rights Division

28 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1410

Chicago, IL  60604

Website: www.cairchicago.org

CAIR-Chicago is a local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR is the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization. The organization’s mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. CAIR-Chicago’s Civil Rights Department counsels, mediates and advocates on behalf of Muslims and others who have experienced religious discrimination, defamation, or hate crimes. The department works to protect and defend the constitutional rights of Muslims in the area, thereby supporting the rights of all Americans.

In addition to pursuing individual complaints of religious discrimination reported to CAIR-Chicago, the Civil Rights Department has implemented several ongoing special projects that target important issues in the Muslim community. The Citizenship Delay Project has worked to end the lengthy delays in the citizenship process for Muslims applying for citizenship by political and legal means. In 2006, CAIR-Chicago filed a class action law suit with the National Immigrant Justice Center and Competition Law Group. The Employment Discrimination Project seeks to help Muslims facing religious discrimination in the workplace. The Travel Free Project deals with complaints of Muslims encountering problems while traveling. The Police Misconduct Project advocates and represents clients in cases of police misconduct. The Prison Project looks to secure the rights of Muslim inmates to practice their religion freely as well as to ensure that inmates are treated humanely. Finally, the Free Campus Coalition aims to protect and advocate for the right of faculty, staff and students to engage freely in intellectual exploration and discourse on American university and college campuses.

Extended Placements will work closely with CAIR-Chicago’s Staff Attorney and Civil Rights Coordinator in representing complainants who have experienced various forms of religious discrimination. Extended Placements should be organized and committed to working on a case through its completion. The ideal Extended Placement will possess excellent oral and written communication skills and an interest in protecting civil liberties in the United States.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

DePAUL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW CLINICAL PROGRAMS
25 East Jackson Blvd., Suite 1050

Chicago, Illinois 60604-2287

Asylum and Immigration Clinic
Death Penalty Clinic

Misdemeanor Clinic

Special Education Advocacy Clinic

The DePaul University College of Law Clinical Programs provide legal services to low-income persons and groups working in low-income communities in the Chicago area. Extended Placements can work in the areas of asylum/immigration, death penalty, misdemeanors, and special education advocacy. The Asylum and Immigration Clinic represents individuals before the Immigration and Naturalization Service and Immigration Courts in asylum and other immigration cases, and provides technical assistance to community organizations.  The Death Penalty Clinic researches and investigates death row convictions and offers representation in pending capital cases. Extended Placements will also appear in court.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGAL CLINIC (DVLC)
(formerly Pro Bono Advocates)
555 West Harrison, Suite 1900
Chicago, Illinois  60606

DVLC is a civil legal services clinic designed to provide assistance in obtaining orders of protection. We also represent married clients in divorce cases. We serve low-income residents of Cook County who have been subjected to domestic abuse and are seeking protection from the abuser. DVLC is located in the new domestic violence courthouse. Upon arriving at DVLC, clients are asked to go through an initial intake evaluation. They will meet with a staff member or intern to discuss the particulars of the case.

Clients will receive legal information about their situation, referrals and/or free legal representation in obtaining an emergency order of protection that same day. Extended Placements will act as counsel in court under the supervision of the clinic managing attorney. Other duties may include client intake and preparation of court documents.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER  OF THE MIDWEST
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1300
Chicago, Illinois  60601-2208
Website:  www.elpc.org

The Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) is the Midwest's leading public interest environmental advocacy and eco-business innovation organization. Extended Placements would support ELPC's state and federal litigation and policy work throughout the Midwest. ELPC's major program areas include: promoting clean energy development strategies that reduce environmental degradation and climate change by supporting energy efficiency and renewable resource alternatives to coal and nuclear plants; developing innovative transportation approaches, such as the Midwest high-speed railroad network, that will lead to cleaner air and more jobs, and proposing "smart growth" alternatives to sprawl-inducing new road projects; and developing sound environmental management practices that preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life in our communities, especially with respect to water and forests. One of ELPC's premises is that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC's multidisciplinary professional staff includes attorneys, M.B.A.'s, public policy advocates, and communications specialists. ELPC was established in 1993.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300
Chicago, Illinois  60602
Website:  www.equipforequality.org

Equip for Equality, Inc. is a private nonprofit, statewide organization whose mission is to advance the human and civil rights of people with disabilities by promoting the principles of equality, self-determination, and dignity. The five substantive priority areas of Equip for Equality are discrimination, community integration, safety from abuse and neglect, special education, and self-determination.

Equip for Equality has a Legal Department that engages in a wide range of services for people with disabilities including information and referral, self advocacy assistance, legal advice, negotiation, and direct representation. The direct representation includes representation in administrative, state and federal forums. The Legal Department balances the requests for direct legal services with pro-active, impact litigation seeking systemic change.

Equip for Equality also has a Public Policy Department that works to achieve changes in state legislation, public policies, and programs to safeguard individual rights. Program personnel draft and secure passage of state legislation and participate in state regulatory and policy-making processes.

Equip for Equality provides Extended Placements with a comprehensive legal experience including client interviews, legal representation in individual cases, participation in the organization’s systemic litigation, and public policy advocacy.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

JAMES B. MORAN CENTER FOR YOUTH ADVOCACY

(f/k/a Evanston Community Defender Office, Inc.)

Contact:  Naria K. Santa Lucia, Executive Director
1123 Emerson Street, Suite 203
Evanston, IL 60201

Phone: 847-492-1410

Fax:  847-859-5836

Website: www.moran-center.org

The James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy provides integrated legal and social work services to low-income Evanston youth (21 and younger) and their families to improve their quality of life at home, at school and within the community. Our practice focuses on juvenile delinquency, adult misdemeanor and felony, expungement and sealing and school discipline matters.

Extended Placements will work closely with staff attorneys on juvenile delinquency, adult misdemeanor and felony, expungement and sealing and school discipline matters. Fellows will provide case management, interview witnesses, conduct legal research, assist with plea bargains, prepare mitigation reports, and will have the opportunity to participate in criminal bench and jury trials including examining witnesses and/or presenting opening statements. Extended Placements will also assist staff at our expungement and sealing help desk at the Skokie Courthouse and may be asked to assist with trainings on legal rights and responsibilities to high-school aged youth. 711 or Illinois Law License and travel to and from Evanston and the Skokie Courthouse are required.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for placement beginning October 1, 2010.

THE FAMILY DEFENSE CENTER

725 S. Wells Suite 702

Chicago, IL 60607

Website: www.FamilyDefenseCenter.net

The Family Defense Center (“FDC “) is a first-of-its-kind legal advocacy organization focused on reform of child protection systems (e.g., the Department of Children and Family Services, juvenile court). Its mission is to advocate justice for families in the child welfare system. As a child protective services legal “watchdog” group that takes the goal of family preservation and family reunification seriously, FDC aims for fundamental changes in a massive system that often destroys families and hurts children more than it helps them. The FDC employs the strategies of litigation, policy advocacy, legal and policy research, training, public education and individualized advice and consultation with families involved in state, local or federal child protection systems (including child protection investigations, juvenile court actions, and child welfare service delivery systems), to prevent the unnecessary removal of children from their own homes and to facilitate the return of children to their homes whenever possible.

The following are our current advocacy programs:
(A) Dupuy v. Samuels: monitoring requirements for due process for professional working with children.
(B) Affirmative civil rights litigation. We seek to vindicate the rights of families who have their children taken wrongfully or have been denied due process in pursued of their careers due to wrongful indicated findings.
(C) Individual case handling: advice, referrals, consultation and representation in all phases of DCFS investigations. The FDC represents individuals in the DCFS investigation stage ranging from brief advice and consultation, to full representation in lengthy trial-type expungement hearings and Administrative Review Actions. These cases are particular interesting for new lawyers and interns because they have quick time frames for completion and can provide full trials within a summer period. We work closely with participating major law firms in referring some of our low income clients to them for representation.
(D) The Parent Empowerment program, a grass-roots advocacy group, includes parents who have been personally impacted by DCFS practices. Parents work on advocacy projects and are involved in speaking about their experiences to build public support for the reforms we advocate.
(E) Legislative Advocacy. We engage in advocacy for legislative and rule changes to child welfare laws and policies.
(F) The Family Defender Newsletter is a policy, research and advocacy tool, reporting on developments in the child welfare system affecting families, both positively and negatively, and includes advocacy information as well as policy positions of the organization
(G) Training programs, training materials, and self-help materials are in development. The FDC will be working on manual on how families can respond most effectively to DCFS investigations and a manual on how to handle pro se expungement appeals.

Extended Placements at the Family Defense Center are expected to: (a) handle initial client screening and follow-up; (b) investigate the merits of child protection cases; (c) work on one legislative initiative (d) draft and file motions; (d) conduct extensive legal research, including research in the areas of juvenile law, administrative law, civil procedure and constitutional law.; (e) take a leading role at DCFS administrative hearings and on routine motion calls in court (arguing routine motions, second chairing substantive motions); (f) write at least one article for The Family Defender (see www.familydefensecenter.net, press newsletter for examples; (g) participate in staff meetings and organizational events; and (h) support the mission of the Family Defense Center (advocating justice for families in the child welfare system) and contributing to the overall advocacy program of the FDC.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

FIRST DEFENSE LEGAL AID
6400 South Kedzie
Chicago, IL 60629
Website: www.first-defense.org

First Defense Legal Aid (“FDLA”) is the only program of its kind in the country. This project offers free immediate, 24-hour legal representation to anyone arrested by Chicago Police Department. Many private attorneys volunteer their time, usually one shift a month, to protect the rights of people in police custody. At the police station, volunteers interview the client, explain his or her constitutional rights, relay the client’s assertion of those rights to the police, and provide information regarding the client’s detention to the Cook County Public Defender’s Office so that it may be used later to protect the client’s rights as a criminal defendant if the client is later charged with an offense. Volunteers also serve as a link between the client and their family during detention.

FDLA acts through a four-part program of direct legal services, public education, advocacy for systemic change, and research and evaluation.  FDLA educates the public and advertises the hotline number by teaching Streelaw throughout Chicago. During the presentation we educate the public about: (1) what to do and say if stopped by the police, (2) what to do and say if in police custody and (3) explain the 5th and 6th amendments.  The Extended Placement will assist the two full-time attorneys in representation of persons in Chicago Police Department custody, community outreach and teaching youth about their constitutional rights.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

HEALTH AND DISABILITY ADVOCATES (HDA)

205 West Monroe Street 
Chicago, Illinois 60606-5013
Website:  www.hdadvocates.org

HDA works on a variety of policy and advocacy issues to assist low-income children and adults with disabilities and help ensure access to health care for vulnerable populations. The Chicago Medical-Legal Partnership for Children (“CMLPC”) is a project of HDA. The CMLPC is a legal partnership with medical providers serving children with significant health challenges with the ultimate goal of improving children’s access to a full-range of social, developmental, medical and legal services and supports and removing systemic barriers. The CMLPC combines policy and advocacy efforts, serving as an incubator for health policy development for low-income children with significant health care needs.

The Chicago Medical-Legal Partnership for Children has three main components:

1.) Policy Development
2.) Technical Assistance & Training
3.) Direct Legal Services

Extended Placements will also have an opportunity to work on HDA’s other policy and litigation initiatives including our Work Incentives Project and Access to Healthcare Project. The work may include: analysis of impact of changes/recommendations to statutory and regulatory provisions; interviewing and providing legal assistance to persons with disabilities in individual and class action matters; advocacy with governmental officials and others to improve benefits provided to uninsured and persons with disabilities; coalition building; preparing trainings for doctors, social workers and other interested persons regarding issues HDA works on.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

ILLINOIS GUARDIANSHIP & ADVOCACY COMMISSION
160 North La Salle Street, Suite 5-500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Veronique Baker, Director of Legal Advocacy Service
312-793-5900 Fax: 312-793-4311
Website: http://gac.state.il.us/las/

The Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission protects and enforces the rights of individuals with mental illness, developmental disability, or physical disability through three separate divisions. PILI Fellows and Attorneys working through the Extended Placement Program will have the opportunity to work with the Legal Advocacy Service (LAS).

The staff attorneys of LAS provide advice and representation to thousands of persons with disabilities, including minors and adults as well as residents of the community and treatment facilities. Our services include: I) serving as court-appointed counsel, in the trial and reviewing courts, in hearings for involuntary mental health treatment; 2) responding to requests for information regarding the legal rights of persons with disabilities: and 3) investigating alleged violations of those legal rights and providing advocacy to remedy substantiated violations.

Extended Placement Attorneys should have the opportunity to represent respondents in civil commitment hearings or to write a brief in an appeal from an order for civil commitment or involuntary psychotropic medication. In addition participants will provide research and case preparation assistance to the LAS staff attorneys appointed to handle the mental health cases in court. Prior LAS volunteers have conducted research, handled involuntary civil commitment and treatment hearings, participated in mental health law educational trainings and provide information to persons in treatment facilities who have questions about their legal rights.

ILLINOIS LEGAL AID ONLINE
17 North State Street, Suite 1590
Chicago, Illinois 60602
  Organizational Website: www.illinoislegalaidonline.org

Substantive Websites:
www.illinoislegalaid.org
www.illinoislegaladvocate.org
www.illinoisprobono.org

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO), www.IllinoisLegalAidOnline.org, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide low-income individuals and the attorneys who serve them with greater access to legal information through the innovative use of technology. ILAO’s three websites serve pro se litigants, legal aid attorneys and pro bono attorneys and are located at www.IllinoisLegalAid.org, www.IllinoisLegalAdvocate.org, and www.IllinoisProbono.org.

As an Extended Placement Associate, an attorney has the opportunity to learn about the legal aid community and to explore legal issues affecting low-income individuals. Extended Placement Associates receive training on writing for a pro se audience and exposure to technology tools that serve as an alternative means of delivering legal assistance to the public. The Extended Placement Associate will assist ILAO with the creation, maintenance and management of legal content published and maintained on Illinois’ three statewide legal services websites. The Extended Placement Associate will report to the Legal Content Manager.

Major Responsibilities:

• Writing, reviewing, editing, and updating online legal training and practice support materials for attorneys and public education and self-help materials for lower-income Illinois residents
• Obtaining and publishing relevant legal content from external sources, including training materials, practice manuals, client self-help resources, pleadings, forms, etc.
• Networking within the legal community to promote the statewide websites and encourage content contributions

Other Responsibilities:

• Collaborating with other staff members who are developing automated documents, instructional videos, and webcast training sessions for the websites
• Executing content quality assurance standards and programs
• Training website users
• Attending staff meetings and other administrative meetings
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

• Licensed Attorney
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage projects and meet deadlines
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Enthusiasm for the use of technology in the delivery of legal service
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in using the Internet and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point)
• Works well on a team and willing to pitch in however needed to accomplish the goals of the organization.
• Demonstrated commitment to Illinois Legal Aid Online’s mission and goals (see http://www.illinoislegalaidonline.org/index.php?mission).

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

  IMMIGRANT CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM

at the University of Chicago (Mandel Legal Clinic)

6020 S. University Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637
Website: www.ImmigrantChildAdvocacy.org

The mission of the Immigrant Child Advocacy Project (ICAP) is to promote consideration of best interest in all decisions affecting unaccompanied immigrant children in the United States. These are children who arrive without their parents, from all corners of the world, including: Central America, Mexico, China, India, Romania and Somalia. They’re fleeing political upheaval, extreme poverty, child labor and abusive homes. In some cases they’ve come to be reunited with family members who preceded them here. The children are transported by traffickers or by hired smugglers, or make the dangerous journeys on their own. Sometimes they’re too young to understand why they’ve been sent to the United States. In 2005, 7,787 unaccompanied immigrant children were taken into custody by U.S. immigration authorities, up 25% from the previous year. They were caught at the borders and at the airports, and then sent to shelters throughout the country where their stay can range from a month to a couple of years; one such shelter is on the north side of Chicago.

ICAP is creating protocols for a national network of Child Advocates (guardians ad litem in immigration proceedings) for unaccompanied and separated immigrant and refugee children, including a framework for integrating child welfare principles in the U.S. immigration system. The Child Advocates are asked to write advocacy briefs incorporating domestic and international law, research conditions in the children’s countries of origin and figure out what, if anything, the children have to return to in these countries. Projects include research on repatriation of children to Central America, India and China, confidentiality for children in federal custody, and developing protocols for situations in which lawyers who file appearances on the children’s behalf have actually been hired by smugglers and traffickers.

In addition to assignments requiring legal research on international law, and drafting memos, PILI Extended Placements will learn skills necessary to the practice of law including, interviewing children, counseling, writing, negotiating and advocacy, attending court hearings and meetings with other advocacy organizations. ICAP’s objective is to provide participants with a challenging learning experience, while obtaining high quality work product in order to fulfill ICAP’s goal of ensuring the best interest of unaccompanied immigrant children in the United States. Moderate fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi or Gujarati is preferred.

IMMIGRATION PROJECT

510 East Washington Street

Bloomington, IL 61701

Website: www.immigrationproject.org

The Immigration Project began its operation as an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) recognized Qualified Designated Entity (QDE) more than twelve years ago in order to assist eligible applicants for the Immigration "Amnesty" authorized under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. While the Project continues to assist legalization applications with appeal briefs and responses to the INS, its services have dramatically expanded to include a wide array of immigration and immigration related legal services, immigrant community education projects and social service assistance.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW INSTITUTE 
DePaul University College of Law
25 East Jackson  Blvd.
Chicago, Illinois  60604-2287

The International Human Rights Law Institute is dedicated to developing and promoting international human rights and the rule of law through education, research, outreach, and capacity building. Illustrative recent Institute activities include an Indigenous Rights Project in Latin America including clinical work; capacity building and research for the Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights; establishing an Inter-American Legal Clinic for participants in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras; advising the American Bar Association of the United States ratification of the American Convention on Human Rights; and legal education reform project, an NGO project, and a women’s mentorship project in Iraq. Extended Placements may expect to assist in research and/or capacity building projects depending on the Institute's current docket.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

JAMES B. MORAN CENTER FOR YOUTH ADVOCACY

(f/k/a Evanston Community Defender Office, Inc.)

Contact:  Naria K. Santa Lucia, Executive Director
1123 Emerson Street, Suite 203
Evanston, IL 60201

Phone: 847-492-1410

Fax:  847-859-5836

Website: www.moran-center.org

The James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy provides integrated legal and social work services to low-income Evanston youth (21 and younger) and their families to improve their quality of life at home, at school and within the community. Our practice focuses on juvenile delinquency, adult misdemeanor and felony, expungement and sealing and school discipline matters.

Extended Placements will work closely with staff attorneys on juvenile delinquency, adult misdemeanor and felony, expungement and sealing and school discipline matters. Fellows will provide case management, interview witnesses, conduct legal research, assist with plea bargains, prepare mitigation reports, and will have the opportunity to participate in criminal bench and jury trials including examining witnesses and/or presenting opening statements. Extended Placements will also assist staff at our expungement and sealing help desk at the Skokie Courthouse and may be asked to assist with trainings on legal rights and responsibilities to high-school aged youth. 711 or Illinois Law License and travel to and from Evanston and the Skokie Courthouse are required.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for placement beginning October 1, 2010.

JOHN HOWARD ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS

300 W. Adams Street, Suite 423

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Website: www.john-howard.org

Founded in 1901, the John Howard Association of Illinois is one of only three independent organizations in the nation that exercises oversight of a state’s correctional facilities. Staff and volunteers regularly visit jails, prisons and detention centers and publish reports of their findings, providing critical information about the state’s criminal and juvenile justice system to decision-makers and the public. Lawyers on staff represent prisoners who come up for discretionary parole, raise concerns about the constitutionality of certain correctional practices, and advocate for reform of sentencing policy.

A PILI Extended Placement at the John Howard Association will gain an invaluable perspective on the corrections side of American justice. Placements will participate in all aspects of the Association’s work and in so doing help create a new externship program in partnership with the Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern University School of Law.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for placement beginning May 1, 2010.

JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL FAIR HOUSING CLINIC
55 East Jackson Blvd., Suite 1020
Chicago, Illinois  60604

The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Clinic provides legal services in cases of discrimination relating to housing, insurance, affordable housing, and lending. Extended Placements will work under the supervision of the Clinical Professors and the legal staff. It is expected that Extended Placements should have the opportunity to work on a wide range of fair housing, fair lending, insurance redlining, and other kinds of housing discrimination cases. The type of work Extended Placements will perform at the Clinic should include interviewing clients, counseling clients, participating in designing and supervising investigations, conducting tests, conducting auditing, drafting of pleadings and motions, engaging in discovery, settlement negotiations, and if available, court proceedings, trials and appellate work in different jurisdictions.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

LAMBDA LEGAL
11 East Adams, Suite 1008
Chicago, Illinois  60603
Website:  www.lambdalegal.org

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil right of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV, through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas. Lambda Legal's docket consists of test cases in a wide range of areas, including federal and state constitutional law such as first amendment and equal protection challenges; discrimination in employment rights, benefits, housing, insurance, schools, and other areas; prevention of anti-gay harassment and violence; anti-gay ballot initiatives; access to healthcare and HIV-related treatments; child custody, visitation and adoption; and sodomy law reform. The Midwest Regional Office has three attorneys. Extended Placements work closely with the staff on developing and litigating matters.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

LAND OF LINCOLN LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION, INC.

various locations in central and southern Illinois

Website: www.lollaf.org

Organized in 1972, Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to pursue civil justice for low-income persons through representation and education. Our goals are: (1) to promote economic security, adequate shelter and health care; (2) to alleviate domestic violence and improve family stability; and (3) to advance the interests of vulnerable populations. Land of Lincoln provides free civil legal services to low-income persons and senior citizens in 65 counties in central and southern Illinois. Land of Lincoln operates five regional offices (Alton, Carbondale, Champaign, East St. Louis, Springfield), three satellite offices (Charleston, Decatur, Mount Vernon), and a centralized telephone intake, advice and referral center called the Legal Advice & Referral Center (LARC). Land of Lincoln provides a full range of civil legal services, with most cases falling in the high priority areas of family, housing and consumer law.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

LAW PROJECT OF THE CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
1325 South Wabash Avenue, Suite 205
Chicago, Illinois 60605
Website: www.chicagohomeless.org

All applicants should submit a detailed cover letter explaining why he or she is interested in serving the legal needs of people experiencing homelessness.  Also, CCH is interested in any personal experience of the candidate with poverty or injustice.

Extended Placements work under the supervision of attorney Laurene (Rene) Heybach, Director of the Law Project, and Patricia Nix-Hodes, senior staff attorney.  He/she is expected to carry a manageable work load which includes some of the following (depending in part, on the expressed interests of the Extended Placements): research and writing of memos on legal issues, client interviewing, community outreach, drafting motions and court submissions, advocacy with state and local agencies related to public benefits, housing, child welfare services and education, assistance with preparation for and appearances at hearings where appropriate.

If we initiate new litigation, we would involve Extended Placements.  Supervision would include daily interaction with the supervisor, review of all written work, observation and feedback on non-written work, direction regarding any tasks not previously learned or performed, and two periodic evaluations.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR BETTER HOUSING
100 West Monroe, Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois  60603 
website:www.lcbh.org

Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing has been providing legal services to low-income tenants in Chicago for 29 years. Two core programs, the Affordable Housing Preservation Program, which works with groups of tenants to preserve affordable housing, and the Attorney of the Day Eviction Defense Program, remain in place. LCBH also now offers Fair Housing Training and Enforcement, as well as the Tenant Advocacy Project, which provides pre-litigation advocacy for tenants experiencing emergencies such as lockouts or utility shutoffs. Our new Tenants in Foreclosure Intervention Project was formed in September 2008 in response to the current housing crisis which is affecting more tenants than homeowners and works to keep foreclosed buildings habitable and operational. LCBH provides training in landlord-tenant law and fair housing and responds to tenant calls with referrals and brief services. The work of LCBH staff is augmented by attorneys who volunteer in eviction, security deposit, and fair housing cases.

Extended Placements are engaged in Court monitoring, legal research and court preparation for cases concerning building deterioration, utility shut-offs, landlord retaliation, and evictions. Extended Placements will draft pleadings, abstract depositions, research policy issues, negotiate settlements, write briefs, appear in court if licensed, and participate in community education programs.

LCBH Affordable Housing Preservation Position Description

LCBH Brach-Brody Fellowship Description

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

LEGAL AID BUREAU
Metropolitan Family Services
One North Dearborn, 10th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60602

Website:  www.metrofamily.org/programs-and-services/legal-aid/default.aspx

The Legal Aid Bureau was established in 1886 and works with its seven social service centers to bring a variety of legal services to Chicago's most vulnerable citizens in the communities where they live.  The Domestic Violence Team focuses on issues related to family law, including domestic violence, divorces, and child support issues, and our Elder Law Team focuses on elder abuse and financial exploitation of senior citizens. The Poverty Law Project represents clients in landlord/tenant and consumer cases, and is available at Metropolitan's Midway and Calumet community centers, located on Chicago's South and Southwest sides. 

Volunteers are critical in assisting LAB's attorneys in client advice and representation, and community education.  Extended Placements will have a wide range of litigation exposure, including client interviewing and counseling, negotiation, research and drafting pleadings, and court representation (if licensed).  LAB is currently seeking an Extended Placement for its Poverty Law Project, with a focus on landlord/tenant cases.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
111 West Jackson Blvd., 3rd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Website:  www.lafchicago.org

Through its six intake offices (four in Chicago, one in Evanston, and one in South Holland), and various projects and teams, the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago's lawyers provide a full range of civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Chicago, including providing advice and counsel, litigation, and community education.

LAFMC's size and diversity usually allow it to match the interest of each Extended Placements with a particular office or area of the law.  LAFMC's handles a wide spectrum of civil cases, including those involving public benefits, housing issues, rights of the homeless, women's rights, family law, children's rights, senior legal services, employment and race discrimination, migrant workers' rights, immigration, and rights of the disabled, including persons with HIV/AIDS.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

LIFE SPAN CENTER FOR LEGAL SERVICES AND ADVOCACY
20 East Jackson Blvd. Suite 500

Chicago, Illinois 60604
Website: www.life-span.org

Life Span Center for Legal Services and Advocacy combines a full range of legal services with a complement of social services to survivors of domestic violence.  The agency's services are free of charge to clients who are predominately poor or of low-income.

The core of Life Span's legal services includes legal advice, information, and representation in all family law matters, such as divorce, custody, child support, visitation, removal, and orders of protection.  The agency is particularly interested in some of the more complicated issues that confront domestic violence survivors, and has successfully represented clients whose abuse resulted in mental illness or drug and alcohol dependency. Our agency also provides immigration services to undocumented battered women and their children, including VAWA self-petitions and U-visas.  

Life Span has developed strategies to address the class and racial biases inherent in the court system that affect domestic violence survivors with particular severity.  The office also does appellate work.  A Extended Placements would perform a full range of tasks, from interviewing potential clients, doing legal research, drafting pleadings, and appearing in court.

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

BUSINESS LAW CLINIC, CHILDLAW CLINIC and COMMUNITY LAW CENTER
    One East Pearson
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2055

Website: www.luc.edu/law/academics/special/clinics.html

The Business Law Clinic represents entrepreneurs and small business owners who are seeking legal assistance with for profit ventures, as well as individuals who are seeking assistance with nonprofit organizations in the Chicagoland area. Extended Placements will work with several clients, under the supervision of the director. The work is transactional in nature and may include providing assistance with a client's choice of legal entity, its formation, basic contract review and drafting, commercial lease matters, zoning requirements, business licenses and permits, and applications for tax-exempt status. The Clinic does not handle litigation matters.

The ChildLaw Clinic serves low-income children with a variety of civil and criminal legal problems.  Extended Placements in the ChildLaw Clinic will represent children in custody and visitation, delinquency, and abuse and neglect cases.

The Community Law Center and its legal clinics are affiliated with the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.  The Community Law Center serves low-income persons with a variety of civil legal problems.  Extended Placements in the Community Law Center will represent clients in disability claims, family law litigation, elder law, and in defense of eviction and consumer debt suits.

The work in the clinics will emphasize direct client contact, negotiation, preparation of pleadings, and representation at trials and hearings.  Extended Placements may be involved in law reform projects, including litigations, amicus briefs, and less formal policy advocacy.  They will receive close supervision and ongoing evaluation of their work.

STATUS: The Business Law Clinic is acceptining applications for one placement beginning in June 2010 and one placement beginning in October 2010.

EDWIN F. MANDEL LEGAL AID CLINIC
6020 South University
Chicago, Illinois 60637

The Edwin F. Mandel Legal Aid Clinic is the clinical program of the University of Chicago Law School.  The Clinic specializes in the areas of criminal justice, civil rights, employment discrimination, the rights of the mentally ill, and low-income housing development.  The Clinic engages in litigation, appellate advocacy, legislative advocacy, and community-based advocacy and transactional work.  Extended Placements at the Clinic licensed to practice are given as much responsibility as possible in the Clinic's cases.  Under supervision, Extended Placements draft contracts, pleadings, briefs, and discovery requests; argue motions and appeals; take depositions; negotiate with opposing counsel; and try cases in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND
11 East Adams, Suite 700
Chicago, Illinois 60603

Website: www.maldef.org

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) is a national Latino civil rights advocacy organization dedicated to preserving and expanding civil rights in employment, education, immigrant rights, political access and public resource equity for Latinos.

Extended Placements will work on class action matters concerning immigrant rights, employment discrimination, voters' rights, political access and education.  MALDEF deals with cases which have the greatest impact on the Latino community.

Extended Placements will get experience in case development, legal research, developing strategies for successful litigation, client contact, expert witnesses and preparation of initial pleadings.  Extended Placements are given the opportunity to become involved in all facets of litigation. 

Applicants note:  Spanish-speaking ability or knowledge of the Spanish language is NOT required.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for placements begining September 1, 2010.

NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER

(formerly Midwest Immigrant & Human Rights Center)
208 South La Salle Street, Suite 1818
Chicago, Illinois  60604
Website: www.nationalimmigrantjusticecenter.org

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), formerly known as Midwest & Immigrant Human Rights, is a program of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights. It provides direct legal services to and advocates for low-income and impoverished immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. NIJC strives to advance rights and protections for these populations and empower them to participate fully in public life by monitoring and responding to human rights conditions and abuses at the local, regional, national and international levels, and leveraging its expertise to influence public policy and effect legislative and regulatory change.

Extended Placements work on a wide variety of projects, including asylum applications and hearings, deportation hearings and appeals, immigrant visa petitions, issues related to unaccompanied immigrant children, detained immigrant assistance, and related matters.  Extended Placements work closely with clients from many different countries and cultures, and will have an opportunity to appear in court.  Fluency in a relevant second language is strongly preferred.

STATUS: This agency is currently accepting applications for placements starting on or after August 1, 2010.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY BLUHM LEGAL CLINIC
Northwestern University School of Law
357 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Website:  www.law.northwestern.edu/clinic/

The Northwestern University Bluhm Legal Clinic is the legal clinic of the Northwestern University School of Law.  The Clinic serves low-income persons with civil, juvenile and criminal legal problems.  PILI Fellows work under the supervision of Clinic faculty on a variety of matters, including juvenile justice, immigration, civil, death penalty, and criminal cases.

Clinic work provides Extended Placements with a broad range of experience on relatively simple to complex cases.  The goal is to provide each Extended Placement with significant experiences and feedback in lawyering skills, including interviewing, counseling, case planning, investigation, discovery procedures, negotiation, memorandum and brief writing, trial work, and appellate argument.

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL,

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES.

100 W. Randolph St., Suite 10-300

Chicago, Illinois 60601

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is responsible for providing healthcare coverage for adults and children who qualify under the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Children's Health Insurance Program Act, the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act, and the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, for providing Child Support Enforcement services to help ensure that Illinois children receive financial support from both parents, and for providing healthcare purchasing for employees of the state of Illinois, teachers retirement insurance program, local governmental entities, and college insurance program. HFS’ mission is to empower Illinois residents to lead healthier and more independent lives by providing adequate access to healthcare coverage at a reasonable cost, to establish and enforce child support obligations, and to efficiently purchase healthcare.

The Office of General Counsel (Office) provides legal advice and counsel to the wide range of program units within HFS. The Office organizes and coordinates HFS’ approach to all litigation in state and federal courts and the Illinois Court of Claims, in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General. Staff attorneys, located in Springfield and Chicago, provide legal assistance to the medical, child support enforcement, and government employee and retiree healthcare programs. Staff attorneys also review legislation affecting HFS’ program areas, provide counsel regarding HFS’ procurement process and contracts, assist in responding to requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act, and provide counsel and legislative/regulatory analysis regarding health information technology, especially as it relates to privacy and security and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The Office also directly oversees the Bureau of Administrative Hearings and the drafting of HFS’ rules and regulations. Interns or Externs must have excellent research and writing skills, be familiar with litigation and court proceedings, and have the ability to function at a fast paced work environment. Working knowledge of state and/or federal Medicaid law, non-Medicaid healthcare law, health information technology law, HIPAA, child support law and/or business auditing is a plus.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

OFFICE OF THE ILLINOIS GOVERNOR, OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

100 West Randolph, Suite 16-100

Chicago, Illinois 60601

PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT CONTACT THIS AGENCY DIRECTLY. 

Information for how to apply is at the top of this page.

The General Counsel to the Governor provides legal advice to the Governor and manages all of the agency General Counsels and legal staff at the State agencies that report to the Governor (e.g. Departments of Transportation, Public Health, Human Services, Commerce and Economic Opportunity). The General Counsel works with other State offices, including the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the Treasurer. Extended Placements would work closely with the nine attorneys that make up the Office of the General Counsel and work on a variety of high profile matters, including review of clemency petitions, ethics reform, litigation management, proposed executive orders, legislation, and rules, FOIA/transparency, and the federal stimulus in addition to other Governor’s Office functions such as general policy research, preparation of “white papers” and analysis of “best practices.” Extended Placement must have outstanding writing skills, be able to manage numerous matters, and have the ability to function at a high level in an ever-changing environment. 

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for immediate placement.

PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES

various locations throughout northern and central Illinois

Website: www.pslegal.org

Prairie State Legal Services is the only legal services program serving low income persons in the majority of northern and central Illinois, outside of Cook County. Our mission is to help our clients meet their basic human needs, like housing, healthcare, basic income, and freedom from domestic violence. Prairie State serves a combination of suburban (DuPage, Lake, McHenry, Kane and Kendall counties), mid-size urban (Rockford, Peoria, Rock Island, Kankakee, Bloomington) and rural counties from eleven offices including Carol Stream, Batavia, Woodstock, Waukegan, Kankakee, Rockford, Rock Island, Ottawa, Peoria, Galesburg and Bloomington.

SARGENT SHRIVER NATIONAL CENTER ON POVERTY LAW
50 East Washington, Suite 500
Chicago, Illinois  60602
Website: www.povertylaw.org

The National Center on Poverty Law provides free legal representation to low-income persons and groups in Illinois on public policy issues involving welfare and subsidized housing.  The Center represents clients before legislative bodies and administrative agencies, in class actions, and in individual cases with broader policy implications.  In its welfare work, the Center addresses issues involving public benefits and services, including cash assistance, welfare-to-work, food stamps, medical assistance, community investment, child support, child care, domestic violence, and rights of non-citizens.  Its housing work concentrates on representing public and subsidized housing tenants.

The Center often works in coalition with other groups.  The Center's attorneys write substantive articles for the Center's bimonthly journal of poverty law and policy, CLEARINGHOUSE REVIEW, a monthly newsletter, Illinois Welfare News, and a periodic broadcast fax on issues affecting low-income women, WomanView.  Extended Placements work closely with Center attorneys on legislative and administrative advocacy activities, litigation, publications, and community work.

STATUS: This organization is currently accepting applications for placement beginning on/after July 1, 2010.

WORKING HANDS LEGAL CLINIC

Downtown Office:
77 W. Washington St.

Suite 1402
Chicago, IL 60602

Website: www.workers-law.org

WHLC provides no cost legal services in the area of employment law to qualifying low wage workers in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. WHLC works with a network of community-based organizations to reach the most vulnerable and difficult to reach Illinois residents and has a special focus on day laborers and other contingent workers.