The Illinois Judges Association (IJA) and the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) have teamed up to expand pro bono statewide. As part of that effort, we invite you to join us to learn more about a unique pro bono opportunity being featured this year by the IJA and to answer civil legal questions for low-income Illinoisans.
During this session you will learn more about Illinois Free Legal Answers and how you can help Self-Represented Litigants better understand and address their legal issues. You will also have the opportunity to answer questions through this online platform while also networking with colleagues and friends from your appellate district. This opportunity is also available for those with a retired or inactive ARDC status.
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The clinics will be held by appellate district on the following dates:
- First Appellate District: Tuesday, January 11th
- Second Appellate District: Thursday, January 27th
- Third Appellate District: Wednesday, February 2nd
- Fourth Appellate District: Wednesday, February 16th
- Fifth Appellate District: Thursday, February 24th
All sessions will be held virtually from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. on the scheduled date.
If your appellate district was impacted by the new judicial district map, you may opt to participate either in the session for your old appellate district or your new appellate district.
About Illinois Free Legal Answers: Illinois Free Legal Answers is a secure website where low-income Illinoisans can ask a lawyer for help with a civil legal issue. Volunteer lawyers then log onto the site at their convenience and answer questions waiting in the queue. It is a virtual walk-in legal clinic and is a great “bite-sized” or limited scope pro bono opportunity. PILI is the statewide administrator for Illinois Free Legal Answers. Learn more here »
About the IJA Pro Bono Committee: As one of the initiatives of her tenure as IJA President, Judge Barbara Crowder (Ret.) has established a Pro Bono Committee under the leadership of Justice Thomas Kilbride (Ret.) and Judge Julie Katz. The committee is meant to highlight the great unmet need for pro bono legal services across our state as well as the ways in which sitting and retired judges can support and encourage pro bono. Learn more here »
If you have any questions about the clinics or about the IJA Pro Bono Committee, contact Michael Bergmann or Kathy Hosty.
Advance registration is required. If you are having trouble viewing the form, please click here.