Opportunities
The Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) fosters the performance of pro bono legal services throughout Cook County. Hundreds of attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other professionals generously donate their time and talents to make it possible for CDEL to assist thousands of its vulnerable and underrepresented clients each year. Volunteer attorneys receive the training and support necessary to provide quality representation and to focus their time in providing direct services to our clients. CDEL offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, which include:
Attorneys:
- Represent individual clients in a range of civil legal areas;
- Participate in the Senior Center Initiative (SCI), by making a Presentation or participating in a Workshop;
- Participate in the Senior Tax Opportunity Program (STOP);
- Serve as a mentor for another volunteer attorney with less experience on a specific legal matter;
- Present accredited Continuing Legal Education Seminars on topics related to the legal services which CDEL provides or in other areas of interest.
Law Students and Non-Attorney Legal Professionals:
- Perform candidate screening and intake interviews;
- Perform legal research and draft legal memoranda;
- Request and review documents; draft correspondence and pleadings;
- Staff the Pro Se Adult Guardianship Help Desk at the Cook County Circuit Court;
- Work on administrative projects;
- Earn credit through an externship, internship or clinical program;
- Represent a client as authorized pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 711.
Other Professionals:
- Help with office computing and technology issues and training;
- Assist and support marketing efforts and publications;
- Consult on other management, administrative, and/or operational needs, or provide training in your area of expertise.
How to Get Involved:
If you are a licensed Illinois attorney, paralegal, law student, paralegal student, or simply interested in volunteering with CDEL, just complete the Volunteer Form to get started.
