Short-Term Settlement Assistance in Federal Court
Type of engagement
Time commitment
Varies
Approximately 20–30 hours over a quarter.
Location
In person
in Chicago, IL
Who should volunteer
LawyersLicenses required
No license required
Skills and resources required
This opportunity relies on attorneys with subject matter or litigation experience.
Training and support
Staff attorneys train and support volunteers. In-person trainings are offered 1–2 times per year in partnership with the 7th Circuit but are not required.
- Training is provided
- CLE credit for training
Short-Term Settlement Assistance in Federal Court
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee’s Settlement Assistance Program seeks to provide pro bono attorneys to redress violations of the constitutional and civil rights of incarcerated persons and employees, who have filed federal lawsuits without an attorney.
Volunteer attorneys limit their representation to client advice, settlement negotiations, including a written demand, and the judicial settlement conference. The pro bono attorney does not conduct any discovery, file or amend any pleadings or engage in motion practice, and can withdraw from representation if the case does not settle.
Without pro bono representation, these vulnerable individuals would have to pursue justice on their own in the often complex federal court system.
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights works to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all. Volunteer attorneys interested in litigation opportunities represent students at expulsion hearings, fight housing discrimination, represent pro se litigants in federal court settlements, and represent victims of hate crimes and discrimination. In addition, volunteers with experience in corporate, tax, real estate, finance, employment, and intellectual property experience provide pro bono representation of nonprofits and entrepreneurs that are located in or primarily serve communities of color.
Type of engagement
Time commitment
Varies
Approximately 20–30 hours over a quarter.
Location
In person
in Chicago, IL
Who should volunteer
LawyersLicenses required
No license required
Skills and resources required
This opportunity relies on attorneys with subject matter or litigation experience.
Training and support
Staff attorneys train and support volunteers. In-person trainings are offered 1–2 times per year in partnership with the 7th Circuit but are not required.
- Training is provided
- CLE credit for training
