Could you please tell me what organizations in Chicago provide legal
services to the poor? The basic background information:  My friend is
an attorney deeply committed to safeguarding civil liberties for
everyone, but especially the poor. After practicing in private firms
for four years, she is ready to pursue her dream. Her first choice is
to work at the Cook County Public Defender's office, but I was
wondering what other similar opportunities exist in Chicago. 

While the Public Defender's office provides legal representation to people
charged with a crime but who cannot afford a lawyer, what other
organizations represent the poor in any kind of proceeding -- criminal
or civil? 

More broadly, what Chicago organizations protect civil liberties in
general? Do those organizations hire attorneys? I apologize if the
question is too broad -- I will be happy to clarify it. The bottom
line is: Where should my friend -- a fourth-year attorney hoping to
break in the public service sector in an effort to protect civil
liberties and/or the underprivileged -- seek employment in the
Chicagoland area?  Thanks so much.

---

Request for Question Clarification by easterangel-ga on 04 May 2004 07:11 PDT

Hi christmas-ga! I like your name. :)

I was able to find a list of public and private organizations
providing legal services in Chicago but they do not say if they will
have openings for employment. Would a link to such a list of such
organizations plus contact numbers be enough as an answer?

Thanks!

---

Clarification of Question by christmas-ga on 04 May 2004 07:29 PDT

That sounds like great information. My friend can just contact each
organization individually to inquire about their employment
opportunities. Thanks!!!

Hi! Thanks for the question.

Here are the links for a list of organizations providing pro bono legal services.

The Illinois Pro Bono website provides a giant list here, 130+
organizations. A few organizations are outside Chicago but most of
them are from that area. You can adjust the list to show particular
organizations by type or by area and practice expertise.

"Illinois Legal Organizations Directory"
http://www.illinoisprobono.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=organizationDirectory.dspOrganizations


Other lists, much smaller than the one above are available from our
next two links. Some of the organizations listed here may have already
been part of the list above but I will post it here just the same so
we will have a much better coverage of your friend's options.

"LIST OF FREE LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS"
http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/probono/freelglchtIL.htm

Pro Bono Service Providers
http://www.illinoisdivorce.com/probono.html


If your friend is really into civil liberties issues then applying at
the ACLU Illinois. (American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois) will
be a good option.

American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois 
180 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2300 
Chicago, IL 60601 
Telephone: 312-201-9740 
Fax: 312-201-9760 
E-mail: acluofillinois@aclu-il.org 
http://www.aclu-il.org/aboutus/contactus.shtml


-------------------------
Here are some private practice law firms meanwhile offering pro-bono
services. Your friend might want to check them out as well.

Lord Bissel Brook LLP
115 S. LaSalle Street     
Chicago, IL 60603 
Tel: 312.443.0700        
Fax: 312.443.0336  
http://www.lordbissell.com/probono.cfm

Barnes & Thornburg LLP 
One North Wacker Drive
Suite 4400
Chicago, Illinois 60606-2833 
Phone: 312.357.1313 
Fax: 312.759.5646
http://www.btlaw.com/BTExp.nsf/Recruiting/Pro%20Bono?OpenDocument&AutoFramed

Sidley & Austin Brown & Wood LLP
Bank One Plaza
10 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603  
Phone  312.853.7000
Fax  312.853.7036
http://www.sidley.com/news/pub.asp?PubID=1740611162000

Baker & McKenzie
One Prudential Plaza, Suite 2500
Chicago, Illinois 60601, USA
Tel: +1 312 861 8800
Fax: +1 312 861 8823
http://www.bakernet.com/BakerNet/News/Press+Releases/piliprobonoaward.htm

Cozen O? Connor
Suite 1500, 222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel: 312-382-3100 or 877-992-6036
Fax: 312-382-8910 
http://www.cozen.com/recruiting_site/pro_bono.htm 

Latham Watkins
Sears Tower, Suite 5800
233 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 876-7700 Phone
(312) 993-9767 Fax
http://www.lw.com/attorney/attorneysearch_profile.asp?attno=01986

Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP
8000 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Ph.: 312.876.8000
Fax: 312.876.7934
http://www.sonnenschein.com/firm_facts/pro_bono/index.html

McDermott, Will & Emery
227 West Monroe
Chicago, IL
60606-5096 
U.S.A.
Tel: 312 372 2000
Fax: 312 984 7700
http://www.mwe.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/experience.detail/object_id/D7266C3E-00CF-40DB-8F1D-3CFAAE691472.cfm

Holland & Knight
http://www.hklaw.com/CST/ProBonoAwards/

Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP's
190 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60603-3441 
Tel: +1 312 782 0600
Fax: +1 312 701 7711
http://www.mayerbrownrowe.com/chicago/index.asp


Search terms used:
Chicago free "pro bono" "legal services"

I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
                 
Thanks for visiting us.                
                 
Regards,                 
Easterangel-ga                 
Google Answers Researcher

Very thorough and informative!