Through the below pro bono opportunities available in the First Judicial Circuit, you can provide critically needed legal services to individuals and families in need. We hope you will get involved and also help spread the word!

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The following is a list of pro bono opportunities available in the First Circuit through the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI):

Illinois Armed Forces Legal Assistance Network

Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN) provides civil legal services across Illinois to veterans, active duty military and their spouses and dependents. As an IL-AFLAN member, PILI refers pro bono matters to volunteer attorneys in the 101 counties outside of Cook County.

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Illinois Free Legal Answers

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 a secure website where low-income Illinois residents can ask a lawyer for help with a legal issue. Volunteer lawyers then log onto the site and provide assistance. It is a virtual walk-in legal clinic administered by PILI.

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A variety of pro bono opportunities are also available in the First Circuit through Land of Lincoln Legal Aid:

Many opportunities exist for volunteers to assist Land of Lincoln clients through direct representation, counsel and advice, document preparation, and clinic settings. Due to limited resources, Land of Lincoln attorneys cannot assist everyone who is eligible for their services, so they rely on volunteer attorneys to help many of their clients who are in need of legal assistance. Learn more »

Another pro bono opportunity available in the First Circuit is Lawyer in the Library:

Launched in 2019, this program now operates in 11 public libraries. Each new site starts with a pilot of six 2-hour sessions over three months, during which the library and attorney receive a stipend funded by the Access to Justice Improvement Grant (AOIC – Access to Justice Division). After the pilot, sessions continue with volunteer attorneys on a schedule set by the library and attorney—monthly, twice monthly, or quarterly. Some locations host multiple volunteers.

Pro bono opportunities are also available in the First Circuit with Dispute Resolution Institute:

The mission of Dispute Resolution Institute, Inc. (DRI) is to help people in conflict find common ground, resolve disputes, and reach agreement. We envision a world where mediation and other forms of dispute resolution are the first choice for people in conflict. Currently, DRI provides mediation services both in and out of the Illinois court system. We currently provide mediations in the following areas: family, divorce, eviction, foreclosure, agricultural, and community issues. Volunteer opportunities include both mediation and non-mediation opportunities, including but not limited to mediating in-person, mediating via zoom, serving as a coach for mediators in training, and serving as a role player during mediation trainings. Learn more »

Learn more about the First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee »