Volunteer Opportunities

Catholic Charities Legal Assistance (CCLA) is a wonderful place for attorneys to make a difference in the lives of the indigent. The majority of our volunteer opportunities are designed for licensed attorneys. However, there are some opportunities for law students, paralegals and other simply interested in assisting. Following are CCLA'S volunteer opportunities:

• Pro Bono Network
• Advice & Referral Hotline
• Educational Seminars
• Advice Desk at Suppers for the Homeless
• Be a Mentor
• Conduct Legal Research

CCLA's greatest need currently is for attorneys to become part of our Pro Bono Network by accepting cases in their area of legal specialty. Once an attorney joins CCLA's Pro Bono Network, volunteer attorneys are contacted via e-mail with a brief summary of a case in the attorney's specialty area. The attorney is always free to accept or decline a referral based on availability and interest. We ask that volunteers take cases only in the areas of law in which they have experience (unless supervised by a mentor, see below).

CCLA operates a dedicated Hotline and receives calls from clients who face various legal issues. Although our staff handles calls during regular business hours, CCLA often receives calls after hours, on weekends or on holidays. CCLA needs volunteer attorneys, especially Spanish speaking, to answer/return phone calls. A volunteer attorney handling a phone call will gather information about the client, provide basic advice (if familiar with the area of law) and, when necessary, either place the client with a pro bono attorney from CCLA's Pro Bono Network or direct the client to a legal aid organization best suited to help with the legal issue.

CCLA provides informational and educational seminars on a variety of legal topics of interest and concern to our clients at various Catholic Charities locations. The seminars are geared toward the lay person with the intent to deliver basic information, such as tenants' rights. Volunteer attorneys are needed to present a seminar on a legal topic. Your suggestions for new seminar topics are welcomed.

Volunteer attorneys are needed to staff a legal advice desk which CCLA hosts at Evening Supper Programs for the homeless. Currently, CCLA hosts a legal advice desk one Tuesday per month at each of two locations (downtown Chicago and Des Plaines). Volunteer attorneys meet with supper attendees and may provide basic advice (if familiar with the area of law), distribute self-help materials and, when necessary, make appropriate referrals.

We are looking for experienced volunteer attorneys to act as mentors to less experienced attorneys taking on pro bono cases. The less experienced attorney will handle the majority of the work, simply using the mentor as an advisor. This will allow newer attorneys to handle pro bono cases and gain experience while allowing the mentor to volunteer in a less demanding capacity than taking on a case individually.

CCLA may have occasion for volunteers to research a particular legal question. Volunteers may, but are not required to, conduct the research at the CCLA office.

Questions or to Request a Volunteer Packet:

Please contact:

Catholic Charities Legal Assistance
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
651 W. Lake St., Suite 403, Chicago, IL 60661
312-948-6821 or E-mail CCLA