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. CCLA has four full-time staff attorneys and numerous volunteer attorneys and paralegals who receive requests for assistance in a variety of areas of the law including, but not limited to, family law, housing, consumer and immigration. CCLA operates a legal aid hotline through which we offer legal advice, access to a network of pro bono attorneys or referrals to appropriate legal aid organizations. CCLA provides representation in Orders of Protection and other family law matters to immigrant victims of domestic violence or other violent crimes. CCLA also hosts educational seminars on legal topics geared toward the general public at a variety of Catholic Charities’ locations. In addition, CCLA operates three monthly After Hours Legal Advice Desks at various Catholic Charities locations.

We will train PILI Fellows to provide legal advice and/or referrals to the program’s clients through the hotline and also through the After Hours Legal Advice Desks. Fellows will have opportunities to do legal research and drafting. Fellows will have the opportunity to assist the staff attorney who provides representation on Orders of Protection and other family law matters. 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.

This agency is approved to host Graduate Fellows.