CBA Record September-October 2025

THE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

Making an Impact at TRP I first got involved with TRP in November 2023 after learning about the organization through my involvement with the CBA. At that time, when news from the border flooded my feed, TRP offered an acces sible way to turn my energy “doomscroll ing” (i.e., spending significant amounts of time online scrolling through news or other content that makes one feel sad, anxious, angry, etc.) into a force for good. I often reflect on the afternoons and evenings I spent at the Metcalfe Build ing—TRP’s headquarters. I’ve observed countless people (many of whom were white collar professionals in their home countries) standing in endless queues in fluorescent-lit hallways, clutching manila envelopes containing their life stories and hoping for the chance to live and work in our city. I’ve been able to learn about and provide clients with all kinds of immigra tion legal services: from securing work permits to helping individuals and fami lies find housing and other resources to preparing various applications.

One of the most humbling things I realized in doing this pro bono work is that many times, the clients I’ve worked with are trying to escape life-or-death situ ations. By simply listening to their stories and being a kind and empathetic pres ence, I’ve witnessed firsthand how many of these people finally allow themselves to relax and be at ease for the first time in a long time. It puts a lot into perspective: the legal support we provide is not only an act of kindness; it’s also a lifeline for many of the folks who come through TRP. The work I’ve done with this organization has been so meaningful, and I’m grateful that I can still volunteer with it to this day.

Nielsen Career Consulting Career Counseling For Attorneys Coaching support for your career in or out of the law • Career Transition • Job Search • Interview Prep • Professional Development • Difficult Workplace Guidance • Wellness Support Over 30 years of experience counseling over 5,000 lawyers and other professionals.

Jonathan Safron is an attorney at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP where he counsels and advocates for companies effecting change in the built environment; he also serves as a mentor and associate board member at Legal Prep Charter Academy.

Get Involved with The Resurrection Project Through its Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic, TRP provides critical volunteer legal services to individuals and families navigating the complex immigration process. Staff and volunteer attorneys consult with TRP clients on a variety of specialized immigration matters, including asylum applications, family and humanitarian petitions, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) claims, and deportation and removal proceedings defense. To serve as a legal volunteer, visit www. trpimmigrantjustice.org/volunteer to sign up. To learn more about other ways you can get involved with TRP, visit www.resurrectionproject.org/get-involved.

Sheila Nielsen, MSW, JD sheila@nielsencareerconsulting.com

New! AI 2035 COMMITTEES The Chicago Bar Association Open to all CBA Members

Join the CBA’s AI 2035 Project’s AI & Access to Justice Committee on September 22, 2025 for “Can AI Really Expand Access?” Mark Marquardt and Katie Hennessey from the Lawyers Trust Fund will guide the discussion. All CBA members are welcome to attend online at 8:00 a.m. IL MCLE Credit. Sign up and learn more at Learn.ChicagoBar.org (under Committee Meetings).

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