Federal Court Self-Represented Litigant Advice Program
Type of engagement
Time commitment
Under 5 hours
Volunteers are asked to sign up for 1 hour shift per month
Location
Remote
Who should volunteer
Lawyers Retired LawyersLicenses required
Any bar license in the U.S.
Skills and resources required
Volunteers must be members of the Northern District Trial Bar and have at least one to three years of federal court experience and a valid Illinois law license (active, inactive, or retired status). Experience in employment discrimination or civil rights law is helpful, but not required.
Training and support
Volunteers complete shadowing of an experienced volunteer during a client call. An experienced staff attorney is always available to answer questions and provide support.
- Training is provided
- CLE credit for training
Skills you may develop
Drafting Contracts and Other Documents Client Advice and Counseling Client interviewing and counselingFederal Court Self-Represented Litigant Advice Program
Counsel pro se litigants with federal court cases during appointments with the Hibbler Federal Court Help Desk. Volunteers will review documents, provide guidance on the discovery process, and assist through the different phases of litigation. Volunteer attorneys provide advice on federal court process and procedure, not on the substantive legal issues in the pro se litigant’s case.
All help desk appointments are conducted via telephone or Zoom (links and log-in provided by Legal Aid Chicago). 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: One 3-hour shift per month. Volunteers indicate availability via Sign-Up Genius.
- Additional Qualifications: 1-3 years minimum of federal court experience; experience in employment discrimination law is helpful, but not required.
- Training & Benefits: Observing one shift of appointments by an experienced volunteer. Volunteers receive ongoing support from the Hibbler Federal Court Help Desk paralegal and supervisory attorney. Volunteering at the Hibbler Federal Court 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
Under 5 hours
Volunteers are asked to sign up for 1 hour shift per month
Location
Remote
Who should volunteer
Lawyers Retired LawyersLicenses required
Any bar license in the U.S.
Skills and resources required
Volunteers must be members of the Northern District Trial Bar and have at least one to three years of federal court experience and a valid Illinois law license (active, inactive, or retired status). Experience in employment discrimination or civil rights law is helpful, but not required.
Training and support
Volunteers complete shadowing of an experienced volunteer during a client call. An experienced staff attorney is always available to answer questions and provide support.
- Training is provided
- CLE credit for training
