Join PILI for a virtual pro bono opportunity! You will learn about the platform and answer legal questions for those in need. While this is a great opportunity for PILI Advisors to work with their Advisees, all Interns and Fellows as well as PILI Alumni and board members are welcome!
Attendees will receive a brief demonstration of how to use the site and to answer civil legal questions, and then attorneys will pair up with Interns and Fellows to answer questions for people in need.
How the Legal Answers Clinic will work:
- Before the event, attorney volunteers register with IL.freelegalanswers.org. No software needed.
- Over Zoom, volunteers will be trained on how to answer Legal Answers questions.
- Lawyers will answer as many questions as they are able at the event and then will be able to answer many more whenever they want.
Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom information. If you have any questions or problems with registration, please email Sophia Vagnone or call at 312-832-5136.
WHAT IS 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. A project of the American Bar Association, Free Legal Answers was created to increase access to advice and information about non-criminal legal matters for those who cannot afford legal assistance. It is now active in 41 jurisdictions within the United States, including Illinois.
HOW DOES FREE LEGAL ANSWERS WORK?
Clients who meet financial eligibility requirements ask a question online. Volunteer attorneys can then see the questions, choose ones they feel qualified to answer and submit a response. While PILI will be able to see who answered questions, attorneys will remain anonymous to clients and are not expected to work on the case further.
WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?
Any lawyer who is registered as active and authorized to practice with the ARDC, including those with house counsel status can volunteer by registering at il.freelegalanswers.org. Additionally, those with inactive or retired status and out-of- state licensed attorneys can volunteer under Supreme Court Rule 756 by filling out the first page of this form and sending it to info@pili.org. PILI staff will then complete the second page as the sponsoring entity and submit it to the ARDC and let you know when we have a response. Response time will vary and this must be done annually.