Bankruptcy Help Desk
Type of engagement
Time commitment
Varies
Approximately 2–5 hours per week.
Location
Remote
Who should volunteer
Lawyers Retired LawyersLicenses required
No license required
Skills and resources required
A minimum of one-year bankruptcy law experience
Training and support
Volunteers complete a 90-minute online training before taking a shift. An experienced staff attorney is available to answer questions and provide ongoing support.
- Training is provided
- CLE credit for training
Skills you may develop
Client Advice and Counseling Client interviewing and counselingBankruptcy Help Desk
Help clients prepare forms and draft motions in connection with their consumer bankruptcy cases. Answer clients’ questions about bankruptcy in general or their cases in particular.
Currently, all counseling is conducted via telephone. Volunteers sign up for shifts in advance and counsel clients who sign up for appointments. Legal Aid Chicago staff facilitate the exchange of documents via email and other means to clients.
- Time Commitment: 3-4 hour shifts, minimum of 6 shifts per year
- Additional Qualifications: At least 1 year of experience practicing bankruptcy law. Some familiarity with consumer bankruptcy (Chapter 7 & Chapter 13) is helpful.
- Training & Benefits: Online 90-minute training. Support provided by Legal aid Chicago attorneys. Volunteering at the Bankruptcy Help Desk fulfills the Northern District of Illinois’ Pro Bono Participation Requirement.
Legal Aid Chicago is a civil legal aid organization that provides free legal services to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago, and other vulnerable members of our community—including seniors, veterans, disabled people, and victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.
Type of engagement
Time commitment
Varies
Approximately 2–5 hours per week.
Location
Remote
Who should volunteer
Lawyers Retired LawyersLicenses required
No license required
Skills and resources required
A minimum of one-year bankruptcy law experience
Training and support
Volunteers complete a 90-minute online training before taking a shift. An experienced staff attorney is available to answer questions and provide ongoing support.
- Training is provided
- CLE credit for training
