The following agencies participate in PILI's Summer Fellowship Program. Click here for a description of Internships as compared to Fellowships.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ACCESS LIVING OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
115 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60610
Contact: Kenneth M. Walden
312-640-2100 (tel.), 312.640-2102 (TTY)
Fax: 312-640-2101
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.
PILI Fellows interview clients, investigate cases, conduct legal research, and draft legal documents. Under the supervision of an attorney, Fellows often act as the main point-person on a few cases. A concerted effort is made to integrate Fellows into the day-to-day operations of the organization; hence, they participate in staff meetings, Team meetings and other relevant events.
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE
(formerly CHICAGOLAND BICYCLE FEDERATION)
9 W. Hubbard Street, Suite 402
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Contact: Dan Persky, 312.427.3325, x229
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 PILI 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, Fellows might help draft regulations to implement the Illinois Complete Streets Policy and other recent legislation. Fellows will be closely supervised by staff attorneys and be involved in decision-making. Fellows 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 fellows will be fully integrated into our organization and will have the chance to attend a variety of meetings and workshops with our government partners.
AIDS LEGAL COUNCIL OF CHICAGO
180 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2110
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Contact: Ruth Edwards, 312-427-8990 Fax: 312-427-8419
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.
PILI Fellows spend a substantial amount of time dealing directly with clients and handling day-to-day legal matters. For example, Interns and Fellows 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. Students with 711 licenses may appear in court on behalf of clients.
ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES
(formerly LAKE MICHIGAN FEDERATION)
17 N. State Street, Suite 1390
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Lyman Welch 312-564-5271
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 PILI Fellow 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.
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
223 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 620
Chicago IL 60606
Patrick Rehkamp, Chief Investigator
312-427-8330 Fax: 312-386-9203
Website: www.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 was finished on time but $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 keep a running 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.
PILI Fellows 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. Fellows are welcome to suggest projects which may be of interest to the BGA and appropriate to their chosen area of law. Fellows may coordinate their schedules with the Executive Director.
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST
25 East Washington, Suite 1515
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Adam Gross
312-641-5570 Fax: 312-641-5454
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.
PILI Fellows 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, Fellows assist in trial proceedings and attend hearings. Recent Fellows have worked on desegregating public housing programs, efforts to increase the supply of inclusionary affordable housing, a comprehensive community revitalization initiative, and school reform.
CABRINI GREEN LEGAL AID
740 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60642
Contact: Andy Dougherty
312-738-2452 Fax: 312-850-4783
Website: www.cgla.net
Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) provides high-impact, free legal services to low-income Chicagoans in four areas of law: family, housing, criminal records, and criminal defense. We actively integrate legal and social services in order to improve our legal outcomes and extend our impact beyond crisis support.
Our purpose is to answer God's call to seek justice and mercy by providing legal services to the poorest of the poor. Our vision is for our clients to leave us strong than they came. We believe that justice is more than a verdict. It's an opportunity to build bridges and strengthen lives.
PILI Fellows participate in all phases of litigation, including drafting pleadings, discovery and motions, assisting with trials and post-trial motions. They also investigate complaints, conduct intake interviews, research and write memoranda, and represent clients at various types of administrative hearings.
CARPLS
Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services
17 N. State Street, Suite 1850
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Pat Wrona, Legal Director
312-738-9494 Fax: 312-223-1522
Website: www.carpls.org
CARPLS is a legal aid hotline that provides 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, as well as through Self-Help Projects, which include written and web-based pro se and client education materials, and our court-based advice desks, which prepare clients to represent themselves on pro se matters.
CARPLS' services are provided by both staff attorneys and volunteers. We will train PILI Fellows in three substantive legal areas (consumer/bankruptcy, landlord/tenant and divorce law) and have the Fellows join our hotline staff in advising clients over the telephone under supervision. In addition, we will train the PILI Fellows to assist in staffing our Domestic Relations Advice Desk, our post judgment Collections Desk, and our Municipal Court Advice Desk. Fellows will also assist in researching and drafting self-help materials, drafting pleadings for pro se litigants, and assisting with special projects and other research projects.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES LEGAL ASSISTANCE
651 W. Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60661
Contact: Pamela K. Tan , Legal Program Coordinator
Phone: 312-948-6821
Fax: 312-559-1530
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.
We will train PILI Fellows to 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. Fellows will have opportunities to do legal research and drafting 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. In addition, CCLA is expanding its program to provide in-house representation, and Fellows will have the opportunity to assist the staff with all aspects of handling a case once such representation begins. CCLA encourages Fellows to accompany us to all continuing legal education programs, bar association meetings and Catholic Charities advisory board meetings to familiarize each Fellow with the program, the larger Catholic Charities operation, and with the larger legal aid community.
CENTER FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION
11 East Adams Street, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60603
Contact: Marilyn Smith
312-922-6464 x25
312-922-6463 (fax)
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.
A PILI post-graduate Fellow would deliver direct mediation services both as a case manager and as a certified CCR mediator. Upon arrival, the Fellow would receive 40 hours of mediation training and individual coaching to become certified to manage mediation referrals as well as mediate cases directly. The Fellow would report to the Mediation Services Director and work closely with the five member case management team. The Fellow would also meet regularly with Executive Director to assist with special projects and to ensure that his/her experience is rewarding and diverse.
CENTER FOR DISABILITY AND ELDER LAW (CDEL)
79 West Monroe street, Suite 919
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Contact: Thomas Wendt
Voice: 312-376-1880; TDD: 312-376-1885
Fax: 312-908-0866 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.
CDEL’s mission is two-fold:
1) To provide the most deserving, yet most underrepresented, citizens of Cook County with access to high quality pro bono legal services;
2) To foster pro bono culture throughout the Chicago legal community.
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.
PILI Fellows have an opportunity to gain a broad working knowledge of the legal system and a deeper understanding of individual practice areas, learn the protocol for pro bono legal services, provide direct legal services to these most worthy individuals and become familiar with the every-day operation of a not-for-profit organization. Fellows 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).
Supreme Court 711 Program: Law students/graduates with current 711 licenses are invited to apply. 711 students will be assigned to specific cases and will work directly with attorneys from some of Chicago’s largest and most respected law firms in addition to CDEL staff attorneys. CDEL with assist eligible law students to obtain their 711 licenses. Strong written and communications and computer skills are a must.
CENTRO ROMERO
6216 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60660
Contact: Frank Melone 773-508-5300 x19 / Fax: 312-508-5399
Website: www.CentroRomero.org
Bilingual (Spanish/English) ability is preferred
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, formely the INS), in Immigration Court, and in the Chicago Asylum Office.
The PILI Fellow will be working under direct attorney supervision, and will become involved in those activities and cases currently in progression. Specifically, the PILI Fellow 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.
THE CHICAGO APPLESEED FUND FOR JUSTICE
750 North Lake Shore Drive, 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Contact: Malcolm Rich 312-988-6565
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.
CHICAGO-KENT COLLEGE OF LAW
Illinois Institute of Technology Law Offices
565 West Adams Street, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60661
Contact: Gary Laser 312-906-5050 Fax: 312-906-5299
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.
Fellows 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. Fellows 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.
CHICAGO LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW, INC.
100 North La Salle Street, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Clyde Murphy
312-630-9744, ext. 226 Fax: 312-630-1127
Website: www.clccrul.org
The Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is a non-profit law and advocacy organization, whose mission is to promote and protect the civil rights of poor, minority, and disadvantaged people in order to facilitate their participation in the social, economic, and political systems of our community and nation. Committee staff with PILI Fellows engage in both litigation and community advocacy in four substantive areas: 1) the Employment Opportunity Project, which represents women and minorities in mediation and in litigation as they attempt to find and retain employment; 2) the Project to Combat Bias Violence, which is the only comprehensive resource center on hate crime prevention and response in the Midwest; 3) the Fair Housing Project, which promotes fair housing through testing, education and litigation, as well as through helping increase the availability of affordable, integrated and safe housing in the Chicago area; and 4) the Community Economic Development Opportunity Law project, which helps non profit groups with their efforts to revitalize low income city neighborhoods, and also helps low income people start their own businesses. The Committee also occasionally takes on other issues that don't fall neatly into these categories, such as legislative redistricting and enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act, as they intersect with our mission.
In addition to assignments requiring legal research, memos, draft motions and briefs, PILI Fellows may attend court hearings, depositions, and meetings with other advocacy and community organizations, and may participate in intake interviews and any other activities in which Committee lawyers are engaged. The goal of the Committee's program is to provide participants with a challenging civil rights learning experience, while obtaining high quality work product in order to fulfill the Committee's goal of equal justice for all.
CHICAGO LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR INCARCERATED MOTHERS (CLAIM)
70 East Lake Street, Suite 1120
Chicago, IL 60601-5959
Contact: Zenaida Alonzo, Pro Bono Director/Staff Attorney
Phone: 312-675-0912 ext. 15
Website: www.claim-il.org
CLAIM is a nonprofit agency that advises and represents incarcerated or formerly incarcerated mothers at hearings on child custody, guardianship, and mother-child visitation. They also represent guardians of children in the Probate Division with the consent of the mothers. The attorneys at CLAIM meet with incarcerated women at Cook County Department of Corrections and do a thorough intake interview with each client. We then decide whether to represent the client, negotiate or draft legal documents for the client, or simply provide legal advice. CLAIM attorneys also teach a monthly class on family law to women at the Cook County Department of Corrections. We travel to Dwight, Lincoln and Decatur correctional centers, and Fox Valley work release center, to teach classes and meet with clients as well.
The PILI fellow can expect to conduct client interviews in the office and at correctional facilities, draft legal documents, research legal issues and represent clients in Probate and Domestic Relations Division under the supervision of the staff attorney. The fellow will also assist attorneys with CLAIM’s volunteer programs and client education. He/She will assist in the preparation and presentation of family law classes in correctional facilities to incarcerated mothers and in training sessions for volunteer attorneys. The PILI fellow will also have the opportunity to work on advocacy for incarcerated mothers to create community-based sentencing programs in Illinois and to work toward ending shackling of pregnant women during labor at Cook County Jail.
Application: Please send a resume and three references.
CHICAGO LEGAL CLINIC, Inc.
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South Chicago Office
2938 East 91st Street
Chicago, Illinois 60617 |
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Austin Office
118 North Central Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60644 |
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Pilsen Office
1914 South Ashland Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60608 |
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Downtown Office
205 West Monroe Street,
4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
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Contact: Veda Dmitrovich, Director of Volunteer Services
773-731-1762 Fax: 773-731-4264
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. Fellow 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.
PILI Fellows research legal issues, draft correspondence, pleadings, and motions, directly communicate with clients, and represent clients in court pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711.
Address letters to: Veda Dmitrovich, Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc., 2938 E. 91st Street, Chicago, IL 60617.
CHICAGO VOLUNTEER LEGAL SERVICES FOUNDATION
100 North La Salle Street, Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Phillip J. Mohr, Fax: 312-332-1460
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.
With the oversight of staff attorneys, PILI Fellows assist the staff and volunteer attorneys and their clients appearing in the Circuit Court of Cook County and before various administrative agencies. Duties will include legal and factual research, interviewing, and the preparation of briefs, pleadings and documents. Additionally, each Fellow will be given his/her own client caseload. Those Fellows eligible to receive an Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 license, will, under supervision, appear in court to conduct all pretrial, trial and post-trial proceedings for their clients.
Please note: Contact by mail only.
CITIZEN ADVOCACY CENTER
238 N. York Rd.
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126
Contact: Ms. Terry Pastika, 630-833-4080 Fax: 630-833-4083
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.
PILI Fellows 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.
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. Since 1985, it has provided transactional pro bono legal assistance to community-based organizations involved in economic and affordable housing development. Through its work with these organizations, other programs have emerged including one that focuses on new entrepreneurs and another that provides representation to first-time, low-income home buyers. The majority of the work is done through its panel of volunteers composed generally of attorneys from Chicago’s law firms. Typically, CEDLP clients 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.
PILI Fellows 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. Fellows may also write articles for CEDLP’s newsletter or research legal issues specific to Illinois Nonprofit Corporations.
COOK COUNTY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN
Juvenile Division
2245 West Ogden Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60612
Contact: Carolyn Thomas
312-433-4300 Fax: 312-433-5129
web: 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.
Fellows may divide their time between the two practice groups. Fellows with Rule 711 licenses 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. All Fellows and Interns must participate in our one week formal training program.
LAW OFFICE OF THE
COOK COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
69 West Washington, 16th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Susan Blakney
312/603-0732
Fax: 312-603-9878
The mission of the Cook County Public Defender's Law Office is to protect the fundamental rights, liberties, and dignity of each person whose case is entrusted to us by providing the finest legal representation. Our clients are accused of offenses ranging from traffic and misdemeanor charges to capital murder. The Office defends poor people in the largest unified court system in the world. The staff includes over five hundred attorneys, over a hundred support staff, and 68 investigators staff.
The Law Office is currently organized into the following divisions: Felony Trial, Child Protection, Juvenile Justice, Legal Resources (Appeals and Post-Convictions), First Municipal (Misdemeanor), and Multiple Defendants. There are five suburban municipal districts, located in Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview, and Markham. Additionally, there are several specialized units, including Traffic, Forensic Science, Homicide Task Force, and Paternity.
CORPORATION FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
205 W. Randolph St., 23rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Contact: Sue Augustus, State Director
312-332-6690, ext. 15;
312-332-7040 (fax)
Website: www.csh.org
The Corporation for Supportive Housing’s (CSH) mission is to help communities create permanent affordable housing with services to prevent and end homelessness. We are the only national organization dedicated to growing the supportive housing industry. CSH Illinois began its local efforts in 1992 by forging a partnership with the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, Chicago’s non-profit housing and service providers and the local philanthropic sector. Through this partnership, CSH Illinois has committed more than $17.2 million in grants, loans and consultant services to 37 supportive housing projects. This investment helped create 2,355 units of supportive housing, including 1,926 in Chicago.
CSH does not provide direct services to clients or tenants. CSH offers three lines of services and products: project specific assistance to help create supportive housing through technical and financial assistance; capacity and industry building initiatives to strengthen the supportive housing industry; and systems change and public policy reform to build the political, program and financial infrastructure for supportive housing.
PILI Fellows could assist with CSH's SSI Homeless Pilot Project, which provides legal assistance to persons who are chronically homeless and disabled due to mental illness so that they can secure federal disability benefits. The Project is staffed by one attorney coordinator who works in partnership with two community-based mental health service providers which ensures that clients benefit from both legal and social services. A PILI Fellow would conduct outreach to, and interview clients, assist clients in completing necessary paperwork, gather and summarize medical records, and draft written legal arguments supporting a finding of disability under federal law. Fellows would also have an opportunity to learn the project development and finance side of supportive housing development, or work on other projects related to analysis of HUD regulations, HIPAA regulations, legal issues in supportive housing, supportive services funding, etc.
COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS (CAIR) CHICAGO
Civil Rights Division
28 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1410
Chicago, IL 60604
Contact: Christina Abraham
312-212-1520 Fax: 312-212-1530
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.
Fellows will work closely with CAIR-Chicago’s Staff Attorney and Civil Rights Coordinator in representing complainants who have experienced various forms of religious discrimination. Fellows should be organized and committed to working on a case through its completion. The ideal Fellow will possess excellent oral and written communication skills and an interest in protecting civil liberties in the United States.
DePAUL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW CLINICAL PROGRAMS
14 East Jackson Blvd., Suite 100
Chicago, Illinois 60604-2287
Contact: Prof. Andrea Lyon
312-362-8402
Fax: 312-362-6918
Asylum and Immigration Clinic
Death Penalty 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. PILI Fellows can work in the areas of asylum/immigration or the death penalty. 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. PILI Fellows may appear in court under Supreme Court Rule 711 with the supervision of a licensed attorney.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGAL CLINIC (DVLC)
(formerly Pro Bono Advocates)
555 West Harrison, Suite 1900
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Contact: Mary S. Trew, Executive Director
312-325-9155
Fax: 312-325-9169
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. Fellows with a 711 practice license may act as counsel in court under the supervision of the clinic managing attorney. Other duties may include client intake and preparation of court documents.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER OF THE MIDWEST
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1300
Chicago, Illinois 60601-2208
Contact: Meleah Geertsma, Senior Attorney 312-673-6500
Fax: 312-795-3730
Website: www.elpc.org
The Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC), the Midwest's leading public interest environmental advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, seeks to hire PILI Fellows. Our Fellows support ELPC's state and federal litigation and policy work throughout the Midwest.
About ELPC: 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.
Responsibilities: PILI Fellows work with ELPC attorneys and other professional staff on ELPC policy, legislative and general advocacy issues, and on federal and state court litigation. Job activities may include legal and legislative research, litigation and pre-litigation support, developing case strategies, legislative drafting, clean energy business development, grass roots advocacy work, and special projects. Fellows also may attend meetings with state and federal agencies, legislators and concerned citizens, and participate in depositions and other litigation activities. Fellows assume a significant level of responsibility commensurate with their interests and abilities.
Qualifications: Applicants should have a strong academic record, excellent writing and analytical skills, and a demonstrated interest in and commitment to public interest and environmental advocacy. Because we intend to hire all Fellows by February, we encourage application through PILI as early as possible in the Fall. Please, no telephone inquiries.
EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Barry Taylor 312-341-0022 Fax: 312-341-0295
TTY: 800-610-2779
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 students with a comprehensive legal experience in traditional legal research and writing, as well as significant opportunities in the practical aspects of disability legal and public policy work. Fellows are assigned to ongoing cases and have the opportunity to participate and observe all stages of litigation.
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.evanstondefender.org
The Evanston Community Defender Office, Inc. 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.
PILI Fellows 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. Fellows 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 law license required and travel to and from Evanston and the Skokie Courthouse are required.
Please send a resume, cover letter and brief writing sample. Electronic copies are preferable.
THE FAMILY DEFENSE CENTER
725 S. Wells Suite 702
Chicago, IL 60607
Contact: Diane Redleaf
312-356-3202 x11 Fax: 312-356-3203
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 is working on manual on how families can respond most effectively to DCFS investigations and a manual on how to handle pro se expungement appeals.
PILI Fellows 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) if 711 certified, 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 (by, for example, publicizing our programs to other law students, applying any special skills the intern/exten has to assist our program to flourish).
FEDERAL DEFENDER PROGRAM
55 East Monroe Street, Suite 2800
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Contact: Sergio F. Rodriguez 312-621-8300
Fax: 312-621-8399
The Federal Defender Program is a not-for-profit private corporation which provides free legal representation to all persons accused of committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire private counsel. The Program was created in 1965. Our goal is to provide the highest quality legal representation to our clients at all stages of their cases.Federal criminal cases include a wide variety of offenses such as drug and gun cases, kidnapping, bank robbery, embezzlement, forgery, counterfeiting, mail theft, mail fraud, interstate theft, and RICO. PILI Fellows work on many of these cases, and are involved in client interviews, both in the defender office and at the nearby Metropolitan Correctional Center. They accompany attorneys on case investigations, make numerous courtroom appearances with the assigned attorneys, and research and draft motions, memoranda appellate briefs, and possibly petitions for certiorari.
HEALTH AND DISABILITY ADVOCATES (HDA)
205 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606-5013
312-223-9600 Fax: 312-223-9518
Contact: Amy Zimmerman
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
PILI Fellows 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.
ILLINOIS GUARDIANSHIP & ADVOCACY COMMISSION
160 North La Salle Street, Suite S-500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Laura N. Sakas, Office of State Guardian
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 will have the opportunity to work with the Legal Advocacy Service (LAS) and the Office of State Guardian (OSG).
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: 1) 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 unsubstantiated violations.
Fellows 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, Fellows will provide research and case preparation assistance to the LAS staff attorneys appointed to handle the mental health cases in court. Prior Fellows have researched the right of minors to refuse psychotropic medication and the right of respondents to refuse to testify in civil commitment hearings, and responded to telephone calls, Fellows provide information to persons in treatment facilities who have questions about their legal rights.
The Office of State Guardian (OSG), the largest not-for-profit guardian in the United States, is the court-appointed guardian for more than 6,000 adults who, because of a disability, lack the capacity to make or communicate decisions concerning the care of their persons or estates, or both. OSG assumes guardianship of disabled adults if alternatives to guardianship have been exhausted, the appointment of a guardian is necessary, and family or friends are incapable or unwilling to serve as guardian.
PILI Fellows will advise staff on the legal implications of actions, consents, and contractual agreements undertaken by OSG on behalf of its wards. PILI Fellows will participate in the management of estate assets as well as prepare and review inventories, accounts, and other court documents necessary to the proper management of those assets. PILI Fellows also will participate in legal and administrative hearings or proceedings necessary to protect a ward's interest.
ILLINOIS LEGAL AID ONLINE
17 North State Street, Suite 1590
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Jill Becker, Legal Content Manager
Voice: 312-977-9047 x12
Fax: 312-977-9048
Organizational Website: www.illinoislegalaidonline.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 a PILI Fellow, a law graduate has the opportunity to learn about the legal aid community and to explore legal issues affecting low-income individuals. Fellows 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. Fellows assist in the development and maintenance of ILAO’s web resources; including text information, legal forms, and multimedia presentations.
Major Responsibilities:
- Drafting, researching and editing legal education materials and legal forms with instructions for the public;
- Providing remote navigation assistance for website users through instant-messaging software;
- Developing an independent project in their area of interest;
- Preparing and assisting with the production of live video webcasts and archived video presentations;
- Creating web-based document assembly modules; and
- Editing, organizing and publishing content submitted by attorney experts and editors throughout the State of Illinois for ILAO’s three websites.
Qualifications:
- Law Graduate
- 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
- Works well on a team and willing to pitch in however needed to accomplish the goals of the organization.
- Strong computer skills including proficiency in using the Internet and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point)
- Demonstrated commitment to Illinois Legal Aid Online’s mission and goals (see http://www.illinoislegalaidonline.org/index.php?mission)
IMMIGRANT CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM
at the University of Chicago (Mandel Legal Clinic)
6020 S. University Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637
Contact: Maria Woltjen
773 702-0349 Fax 773-702-2063
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: 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 will 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 Fellows 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.
Please submit your resume to Maria Woltjen, Director, Immigrant Child Advocacy Project, either e-mail, fax (773-702-2063) or via regular mail: 6020 S. University Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637.
INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE CLINIC ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP
University of Chicago Law School
6020 South University
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Contact: Beth Milnikel
773-834-3108
The Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School, or IJ Clinic, is devoted to assisting lower income entrepreneurs with the legal intricacies of business ownership. A branch of the public interest law firm Institute for Justice, the IJ Clinic acts on the belief that legal tangles shouldn't get in the way of inner city residents who dream of starting their own businesses. The IJ Clinic provides a range of legal services to its clients, including advice on structuring a business; research on regulatory controls and licensing requirements; drafting or reviewing contracts and leases; the design of employment practices; protection of intellectual property; and counsel on other transactional or regulatory matters. In addition, the IJ Clinic engages in advocacy for legislative reform on behalf of entrepreneurs.
PILI Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the IJ Clinic's general practice, from interviewing a potential client, to drafting an LLC operating agreement, to negotiating a storefront lease, to advising a client on the protectibility of the business's name. Fellows may also get involved in efforts to analyze and re-draft regulations that hinder many entrepreneurs. Fellows will be given substantive work to complete and will enjoy a great deal of contact with our clients. Fellows will work under the supervision of the two IJ Clinic attorneys.
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW INSTITUTE
DePaul University College of Law
25 East Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, Illinois 60604-2287
Contact: Kari Kammel , Deputy Executive Director
312-362-5385;
Fax: 312-362-5923
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.
PILI Fellows may expect to assist in research and/or capacity building projects depending on the Institute's current docket.
JOHN HOWARD ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS
300 W. Adams Street, Suite 423
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Contact: Shaena Fazal
312-782-1901 Fax: 312-782-1902
Website: www.john-howard.org
The John Howard Association of Illinois is one of only three independent organizations in the nation that exercises oversight of a state’s prisons, jails, and juvenile correctional facilities. Founded in 1901, the Association promotes fair, humane, and effective sentencing and correctional policies. It currently addresses inmates’ concerns and responds to their problems. 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.
Association staff members work to reform the juvenile justice systems, the Cook County Jail and the Illinois Department of Corrections, to ensure human treatment of all inmates and detainees. Staff currently works on myriad issues, including: increasing rehabilitative programs, job skills and education programs to long term and maximum security prisoners; ending sentencing juveniles to life in prison without parole; improving conditions at Illinois’ maximum security prisons and at the Cook County Jail; providing legal services to the 250 prisoners who come up for discretionary parole; and raising concerns about the constitutionality of certain correctional practices and the delivery of health care to prisoners in Illinois. A PILI Fellow placed at the John Howard Association would have great latitude in determining where to focus his or her fellowship. Specifically, a PILI Fellow may research one or more of these issues, represent inmates at parole hearings or help us to write reports describing the Association’s jails and prison visits. In either case, Fellows will gain a unique perspective on the corrections side of American justice.
JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL
FAIR HOUSING CLINIC
55 East Jackson Blvd., Suite 1020
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Contact: Damian Ortiz
312-786-2267 Fax: 312-786-1047
The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Clinic provides legal services in cases of discrimination relating to housing, insurance, affordable housing, and lending. PILI Fellows will work under the supervision of the Clinical Professors and the legal staff. It is expected that Fellows 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 Fellows 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.
LAMBDA LEGAL
11 East Adams, Suite 1008
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Contact: Christopher Clark
312-663-4413 Fax: 312-663-4307
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. Fellows work closely with the staff on developing and litigating matters.
LAW PROJECT OF THE CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
1325 South Wabash Avenue, Suite 205
Chicago, Illinois 60605
Contact: Laurene Heybach
312-435-4548 Fax: 312-435-0198
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.
PILI Fellows 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 PILI Fellows): 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 PILI Fellows. 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.
LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR BETTER HOUSING
100 West Monroe, Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Contact: Caitlin Ewing
312-784-3530 Fax: 312-347-7604
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.
PILI Fellows work with staff attorneys in LCBH’s varied programs to offer assistance to low-income tenants facing poor building conditions, utility taps and shut-offs, illegal lockouts, retaliatory conduct by their landlords and evictions. Duties include legal and policy research, drafting pleadings and legal memoranda, negotiating settlements and handling court appearances pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711. Working under the supervision of one of our staff attorneys, PILI Fellows at LCBH may also have the opportunity to take the lead on an eviction case(s), and handle the matter from start to finish.
LAWYERS FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS
213 West Institute Place, Suite 403
Chicago, Illinois 60610
Contact: William E. Rattner, Executive Director
312-649-4111 Fax: 312-944-2195
Website: www.law-arts.org
Lawyers for the Creative Arts (LCA) is an agency that provides free legal assistance and legal education to artists and arts organizations of all kinds, the visual, performing, entertainment, and literary throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. The LCA acts as a pro bono coordinator that refers cases to its volunteer attorneys.
The PILI Fellow will be involved in working with and educating artists and arts organizations about their legal rights and responsibilities. LCA provides legal assistance in a broad range of arts-related legal fields. The Fellow will be involved in interviewing clients and researching and assisting the staff attorneys in matters concerning such areas as copyright, trademark, tax, corporate and small business, collections, disputes, and real estate. Fellows will assist in the pro bono referral program and contribute to the researching, writing and editing of various contracts, licenses, intellectual property forms, and legal publications. PILI Fellows will also provide legal information to clients in the office and by telephone.
LEGAL AID BUREAU
Metropolitan Family Services
One North Dearborn, 10th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Grace Lim
312-986-4011 Fax: 312-986-4016
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 and Fellows are critical in assisting LAB's attorneys in client advice and representation, and community education. A PILI Fellow will have a wide range of litigation exposure, including client interviewing and counseling, negotiation, research and drafting pleadings, and court representation (if 711-licensed).
LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION
OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
111 West Jackson Blvd., 3rd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Contact: (for Graduate Fellows and for Summer Interns) Dan Lindsey
Contact: (for School-Year Interns) Lisa Palumbo
312-341-1070 Fax: 312-341-1041
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 PILI Fellow 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.
LIFE SPAN CENTER
FOR LEGAL SERVICES AND ADVOCACY
20 East Jackson Blvd. Suite 500 Chicago, Illinois 60604
Contact: Denice Wolf Markham
312-408-1210;
Fax: 312-408-1223
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 PILI Fellowwould perform a full range of tasks, from interviewing potential clients, doing legal research, drafting pleadings, and appearing in court.
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY LAW CENTER
BUSINESS LAW CLINIC and CHILDLAW CLINIC
One East Pearson
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2055
Community Law Center Contact: Theresa Ceko 312-915-7830
ChildLaw Clinic Contact: Stacey Platt 312-915-7940
Business Law Clinic Contact: Joseph L Stone 312-915-7130
Website: www.luc.edu/law/academics/special/clinics.html
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. PILI Fellows of 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 ChildLaw Clinic serves low-income children with a variety of civil and criminal legal problems. PILI Fellows of the ChildLaw Clinic will represent children in custody and visitation, delinquency, and abuse and neglect cases.
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. Fellows typically work with several clients during the course of a summer, 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 work in the clinics will emphasize direct client contact, negotiation, preparation of pleadings, and representation at trials and hearings. Fellows 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.
MacARTHUR JUSTICE CENTER
Northwestern University School of Law
357 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Contact: Locke Bowman
312-503-0844 Fax: 312-503-1272
Website: http://www.law.northwestern.edu/macarthur/
The MacArthur Justice Center is a non-profit public interest law firm established in 1985 to litigate for human rights and social justice. The Center concentrates on cases raising significant criminal justice issues, uch as opposing the government's use of unjustified detentions in the war on terror; improving the quality of representation for indigent defendants; promoting acceptable conditions of incarceration and alternatives to incarceration; compensating the wrongfully convicted; and limiting the availability of firearms to unauthorized persons.
PILI Fellows will work closely with the lawyers at the MacArthur Justice Center on a wide variety of projects. Fellows will gain experience in both criminal and civil litigation, including meeting with incarcerated clients, drafting pleadings, participating in litigation strategy, assisting during trials and engaging in meaningful and challenging research and writing.
EDWIN F. MANDEL LEGAL AID CLINIC
6020 South University
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Contact: Randall Schmidt
773-702-9611 Fax: 773-702-2063
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. PILI Fellows at the Clinic licensed to practice under Rule 711 are given as much responsibility as possible in the Clinic's cases. Under supervision, Fellows 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
Contact: Virginia Martinez 312-427-0701
Fax: 312-427-0691
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.
PILI Fellows 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.
Fellows will get experience in case development, legal research, developing strategies for successful litigation, client contact, expert witnesses and preparation of initial pleadings. Fellows 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.
NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER
(formerly Midwest Immigrant & Human Rights Center)
208 South La Salle Street, Suite 1818
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Contact: Pearl Pickett, 312-660-1326
Fax: 312-660-1505
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.
PILI Fellows 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. Fellows 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.
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY BLUHM LEGAL CLINIC
Northwestern University School of Law
357 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Contact: Tom Geraghty, 312-503-8574
Fax: 312-503-8977
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 matters, entrepreneurship/economic development issues, and death penalty and criminal cases.
Clinic work provides PILI Fellows with a broad range of experience on relatively simple to complex cases. The goal is to provide each Fellow 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.
THE ROGER BALDWIN FOUNDATION
of the AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF ILLINOIS, Inc.
180 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2300
Chicago, Illinois 60601-1287
Contact: Adam Schwartz 312-201-9740 Fax: 312-288-5225
Website: www.aclu-il.org
The ACLU is devoted to protecting and expanding the civil liberties and civil rights of all Americans. The Roger Baldwin Foundation is the litigation arm of the ACLU of Illinois.
We have an active docket of over 40 cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts, including the Illinois and U.S. Supreme Courts. Our cases raise issues of freedom of religion, police practices, education, and discrimination. We have special projects addressing AIDS and civil liberties, gay and lesbian rights, the rights of children and institutionalized persons, reproductive rights, and race and poverty. Our office has six full-time and one part-time attorney, making it one of the largest ACLU offices in the country.
Interns and Fellows in our summer program work closely with experienced ACLU staff attorneys in all phases of litigation, including initial factual and legal investigations, drafting of pleadings and supporting documents for discovery and trial, and appellate proceedings. Projects are assigned depending upon the needs of the caseload and the students' personal interests.
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Contact attorney is Adam Schwartz. In addition to submitting the PILI applications, applicants should consider sending a resume, writing sample, transcript, reference list, and cover letter to the address above. Please apply as early as possible; applications are considered through March, and offers are extended as qualified people apply. Priority is given to law students who have completed their second year of law school. A limited number of funded positions are available. Students who can arrange their own funding should so indicate. We are an affirmative action employer. Women, people of color, people differently abled, and gay men and lesbians are especially encouraged to apply.
SARGENT SHRIVER NATIONAL CENTER ON POVERTY LAW
50 East Washington, Suite 500
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contacts: Dan Lesser 312-368-2005
Raj Nayak 312-263-3830, ext. 243
Fax: 312-263-3846
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. PILI Fellows work closely with Center attorneys on legislative and administrative advocacy activities, litigation, publications, and community work.
WORKING HANDS LEGAL CLINIC
Working Hands Legal Clinic
77 W. Washington Street, Suite 1402
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Contact: Chris Williams,
Executive Director
Tel: 312-795-9115
Fax: 312-419-1025
Website: www.workers-law.org
Working Hands Legal Clinic (WHLC) is a joint project of three Chicago area community-based workers’ centers: the Chicago Workers’ Collaborative (CWC); the San Lucas Workers’ Center (SLWC); and the Latino Union (LU). These three workers’ centers provide assistance to low-wage workers, CWC and SLWC to day laborers in the temporary staffing industry, and Latino Union to street-corner day laborers. Together these organizations have worked to pass state legislation providing some of the country’s strongest protections for day laborers. WHLC and the workers’ centers are also actively involved in issues affecting low-wage immigrant workers such as abuse of employment eligibility verification systems and Social Security no-match letters.
Like the workers’ centers, WHLC operates on the principle that social change occurs through leadership development in the communities most affected by workplace abuses. Since its founding in 2004, WHLC has helped to provide workplace rights training to over 100 leaders and, working with these leaders, has assisted day laborers in recovering over $2.5 million in owed wages. Beginning in summer 2008, WHLC began a partnership with the Mexican Consulate office in Chicago to provide information and training to Mexican nationals in the defense of their rights in the workplace, in the event of workplace raids or in the event of terminations based on Social Security no-match letters.
The PILI Fellow will work under the supervision of WHLC Director in the following areas:
- Develop workplace rights curriculum and materials for training of workers’ center leaders;
- Assist in conducting trainings of workers’ center leaders;
- Assist in conducting intake interviews with day laborers and identifying legal issues;
- Participate in active litigation drafting complaints, motions and conducting research;
- Work with workers’ centers in developing worker-led strategies to attack workplace abuses.
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