In these unfamiliar times, it’s more important than ever that all Americans have access to legal help. Many organizations are answering the call and stepping up to help those impacted by COVID-19.
We’ve compiled a running list of ways Illinois lawyers can get involved. We will keep this list updated as new information becomes available. If you have an opportunity to add, please reach out to us at mail@2civility.org.
ABA – Free Legal Answers
Attorneys can provide pro bono help for income-eligible users through the ABA’s virtual legal clinic. Attorney volunteers, who must be authorized to provide pro bono assistance in their state, will provide legal information and advice on COVID-19-related housing, unemployment, and other civil legal questions.
Be a Guest Speaker at a Law School Class
The Center for Computer Assisted Legal Instruction has compiled a list of attorneys who are offering to be a guest speaker for remote law school classrooms. Reach out to John Mayer at jmayer@cali.org for more information.
Center for Disability and Elder Law – Client Check-Ins by Phone
The Center for Disability and Elder law is looking for volunteers to reach out to current and former clients to check in on their needs and concerns during the COVID-19 crisis. Interested volunteers can sign up through this form.
Legal Aid Chicago – Domestic Violence Remote Help Desk
Legal Aid Chicago is looking for volunteers to provide remote support to domestic violence petitioners seeking to obtain emergency Orders of Protection. Interested volunteers can contact Melissa Picciola at mpicciola@legalaidchicago.org.
Public Interest Law Initiative – COVID-19 Illinois Free Legal Answers Task Force
The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) is recruiting lawyers to answer COVID-19-related civil legal questions online as part of its Illinois Free Legal Answers Task Force. Interested volunteers can sign up here.
Volunteer Opportunity for Law Students and Paralegals
Alyssa Leader, a student at the University of North Carolina School of Law, is coordinating remote pro bono opportunities for law students and paralegals to provide research, drafting, and other support to attorneys in COVID-19-related matters. So far, more than 300 law students, paralegals, and student paralegals have volunteered. If you would like to volunteer, fill out this form.
Let’s do our part to step up and help those impacted by COVID-19. Remember, we’re all in this together.
Other things you should know:
- Stay on top of COVID-19-related news from the Illinois Judicial Branch on the Illinois Courts website.
- Learn about changes we’ve made to our mentoring program and CLEs to support lawyers during this time.
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