CBA Record September-October 2024

CELEBRATING

OF PRO BONO WEEK

YEARS

• Provide information about federal court procedure. • Explain the status of their case. • Assist litigants in understanding and preparing certain pleadings, motions, or other court documents. • Assist litigants in accessing other sources of information about their legal issues. • Refer litigants, in appropriate cases, to other legal aid providers, bar associa tion lawyer referral programs, or social service agencies. The Help Desk does not provide sub stantive legal advice on litigants’ cases and does not provide representation to litigants in their cases. UPLC does not provide legal malpractice coverage to pro bono attorneys who volunteer for the Hibbler Help Desk. For questions about how you can get more involved in the program, email Bryan Higgins at Hibbler@uplcchicago.org. Bankruptcy Court Pro Se Help Desk The Bankruptcy Court Pro Se Help Desk is a vital resource for unrepresented debt ors seeking legal relief. With support from the Court, the CBF, and the bankruptcy bar, the Help Desk provides clients with free consultations and assistance regard ing their bankruptcy-related matters. The Help Desk is staffed by volunteer attor neys and a paralegal with overall supervi sion provided by Legal Aid Chicago. Since 2020, the Help Desk has oper ated over the phone and on Zoom. During these consultations, volunteer attorneys are available to talk to debtors about filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy; answer questions about peti tions, schedules, and plans; and help file motions. The paralegal conducts intake with each client and then schedules a phone appointment with a volunteer

Pro Bono Opportunities in the Federal Courts By Brian Budzicz

From left in 2006: CBF Executive Director Bob Glaves; Margot Klein, first staff attor ney to oversee the District Court Help Desk for the Legal Assistance Foundation; the late Judge William J. Hibbler, who led the effort to establish the Help Desk that is now named for him; and the late Sheldon Roodman, the longtime executive director of the Legal Assistance Foundation (now Legal Aid Chicago).

Y ou may not be aware that pro bono plays an integral role in the federal courts. There are several opportu nities to serve, both in the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Whether providing procedural advice at the Dis trict Court help desk, advising on bank ruptcy matters with the Bankruptcy Pro Se Help Desk, or assisting with settlement and negotiation through the Settlement Assistance Program—there are a variety of ways lawyers can volunteer their time in the federal courts. More experienced lawyers also have opportunities to represent clients in fed eral litigation through the Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois and the Bankruptcy Court Volunteer Attorney Panel. This article, however, focuses on

the opportunities to help people in need in the federal courts that are open to a broader group of federal court practitio ners. Several legal aid partners manage these programs; they all welcome volun teers to become involved.

William J. Hibbler Memorial Pro Se Assistance Program

The Hibbler Help Desk is a virtual assis tance program now managed by Uptown People’s Law Center in conjunction with the District Court and the CBF. Volun teer attorneys staff the help desk through UPLC and use their practice experience in federal court to help unrepresented liti gants seeking assistance. The Help Desk helps pro se litigants navigate their cases and offers the follow ing services:

2020 Extraordinary Times Call for Extraordinary Commitment

2019 Connecting with Communities

2018 Celebrating the Power of Pro Bono

2017 For the Sake of the Community

26 September/October 2024

20 YEARS OF PRO BONO WEEK