The current extended placements at legal aid organizations are driven largely by response to the current economic conditions. However, even before the economic crisis, some firms and communities regularly planned and participated in similar models of deferrals and rotations, but on a smaller and shorter term scale.

Traditional Fellowship and Extended Placement Models: Things to Consider in Developing these Programs

Law firms increasingly are finding that they have excess capacity in their attorney ranks due to the economic slowdown. As a result, many of these firms would like to place some of their current or incoming attorneys at legal aid and other public service organizations for extended periods so that these attorneys (collectively referred to as “extended placement attorneys”) can contribute their skills in a meaningful way while gaining skills and experience.

In Illinois, PILI, along with The Chicago Bar Foundation, has been working with the state's 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.  Below is a link to the recently released document created by the CBF and PILI, entitled "Extended Pro Bono Placements in Chicago: Background and Best Practices."  A list of agencies with extended placement opportunities is also provided below.

CBF & PILI's Extended Pro Bono Placements in Chicago: Background and Best Practices

On a national level, the Association of Pro Bono Counsel has developed an informative document on the considerations for the extended placement option.  A national clearinghouse also has been set up through PSLawNet for firms and legal aid organizations to post and/or find available placements on a national level.  PSLawNet has added a new "job type" to their search interface - "Law Firm Associate Host" - to specifically mark positions suitable for these kinds of placement. Searches may also be narrowed geographically and by practice area.

For more information about the Extended Placement Program or for assistance with developing such a program or placements at public interest law organizations, please contact Michael Bergmann at 312-832-5129 or Susan Curry at 312-832-5128.