Would you like to help low-income families with their landlord/tenant, domestic relations, and consumer debt issues? CARPLS Legal Aid is looking for volunteer attorneys to counsel clients on Cook County's legal hotline.

ABOUT CARPLS: CARPLS is an innovative legal aid service that offers an immediate response to the every-day legal problems confronting low-income families in Cook County. The CARPLS legal aid hotline and court-based advice desks give low-income clients direct access to experienced attorneys who are trained to quickly assess and respond to a wide range of civil legal problems. CARPLS attorneys resolve over 85% of all cases in-house by providing information, advice and brief services including the preparation and review of legal documents. Clients with more complex needs are referred by CARPLS to a network of specialized legal and social service providers. Our unique "legal triage" system serves as a model for legal aid communities across the country and has increased access to justice by dramatically reducing the cost of legal aid services to the poor.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS: CARPLS offers two volunteer opportunities on the hotline, each seeking a minimum commitment of 36 hours (including 6 hours of training). The Nightline program targets working attorneys with limited volunteer schedules. Volunteers field hotline calls from 5:30pm - 8:00pm Monday and Wednesday evenings, committing to 36 hours over one year (approximately two shifts per month).





CARPLS Works targets attorneys with more flexible volunteer schedules. Volunteer shifts are Monday through Friday from 9:00am-1:00pm or 1:00pm-5:00pm. The 36-hour commitment is generally met by volunteering for one 4-hour shift a week over a ten week period.





TRAINING: CARPLS provides training in substantive law and on our software systems. Volunteers will receive training in the limited practice areas of family, consumer debt and landlord-tenant law on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 from 4:00pm-8:00pm (CLE credit and dinner provided). Volunteers will be trained on CARPLS' advanced case management software, hotline counseling techniques and procedures during the week of November 9, and will have live-call training during their first shifts starting November 16, 2015. You must complete all parts of the training in this time frame in order to volunteer in the November class.





SHIFTS: A CARPLS supervising attorney will always be available to assist volunteers as they talk to clients on the hotline. All training sessions and volunteer shifts take place at the CARPLS main office, 17 N. State Street, Chicago. Volunteers must be licensed attorneys when they take their first calls. RETIRED, INACTIVE, AND LAWYERS LICENSED IN OTHER STATES ARE WELCOME. All work performed for CARPLS is covered by CARPLS' malpractice insurance.





WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU: As an attorney you have a valuable skill which can benefit a great many families in need. Not only do CARPLS volunteers experience the profound satisfaction of helping clients understand and exercise their legal rights, they also help the court system function more efficiently. Volunteering with CARPLS also gives you a chance to develop and deepen your legal skills, network with your peers, and round out your resume. Volunteer attorneys are invited to attend all CARPLS social and fundraising events, where you can meet other attorneys from around Chicago.





IF YOU ARE INTERESTED: If you would like to answer the call to help Cook County's low income residents, please send an e-mail and resume to volunteers@carpls.org, or call Leslie Wallin at 312/421-4427.