Sponsor:	Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing
Opportunity Location:	100 W. Monroe Suite 1800 Chicago, IL 60603
Volunteers Accepted:	Attorney
Opportunity Type:	Legal Representation..Litigation..(all)
Last Updated:	06/08/2010

Volunteer Opportunity Description

There are approximately 40,000 eviction cases filed every year in Cook County and 95% of pro se defendants are evicted after only a three minute hearing. This program allows attorneys to volunteer one morning a month in eviction court covering a hearing date on an ongoing LCBH case. LCBH remains the attorney of record and prepares all of the pleadings while the volunteer attorney covers the court call. The program also allows attorneys to take on an entire eviction case, if they prefer. LCBH provides legal support both inside and outside of the courtroom.

LCBH provides a one-hour training on landlord/tenant law and eviction court procedures.

Practice Areas:	Landlord/Tenant Housing
Skills Required:	Basic Legal Knowledge
Skills Acquired:	Basic Legal Knowledge
Time Availability:	Business Hours
Languages:	English

Process for Becoming A Volunteer

Volunteer attorneys receive a one-hour training on landlord/tenant law and eviction court procedures. They also receive an extensive training manual that details tenant defenses.  Volunteers may schedule a day to shadow our daily eviction court attorney. Ultimately, volunteers may schedule a day to volunteer for the Attorney of the Day program or elect to take a case from start to finish.

Contact

If you would like someone from this organization to contact you about this volunteer opportunity please log in or register. After your registration is approved (it may take up to 24 hours), login and return to this opportunity to request that someone contact you.

More About the Sponsor

Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing
100 W. Monroe
Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60603 View Map

Phone: 312-347-7600
Fax: 312-347-7604

View their website

Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing (LCBH) seeks to increase the availability of safe, decent and affordable housing for people of low and moderate income in Chicago through legal and public advocacy and tenant education.  LCBH's Attorney of the Day pro bono program enables volunteer attorneys to represent low-income tenants facing wrongful evictions. 

Attorney-of-the-Day (AOD) Eviction Defense Project - The AOD provides high-volume, no cost legal services to low-income families who otherwise would have no legal representation and would be at the mercy of the eviction court system. The program helps to ensure that the Eviction Court Process follows proper procedure and does not override tenants’ rights to due process under the law. Clients are provided an array of services by volunteer attorneys, from settlement negotiations to motion practice to full litigation, depending on the nature of their case. With the help of an Attorney of the Day, tenants are often able to work out settlements that will allow them to remain in their apartments or have enough time to locate appropriate housing.

Through the AOD project, LCBH is a leading source of legal services for low-income tenants facing eviction in Chicago and has spearheaded the fight for eviction court reform. Approximately 40% of LCBH’s eviction cases reach settlement. When tenants are not represented by an attorney, they are evicted 95% of the time. Because of LCBH’s efforts, the landlords’ bar is more easily persuaded to settle their evictions cases in a manner favorable to the tenant rather than continuing litigation.

Additional Information

• We provide malpractice insurance for volunteers.
• We provide research or clerking services.
  These services are available if resources allow.
• We provide a licensed attorney to support volunteers. The eviction court staff attorney and pro bono coordinator provide support to all volunteers.

More

Video Library