Cabrini Green Legal Aid Opportunities

Agency Description:
Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) has strengthened lives, assisted families and supported communities one person at a time for more
than 40 years. CGLA does more than give people a second chance we are addressing the root causes of unemployment,
homelessness, poverty and other challenges that contribute to crime and recidivism. This is accomplished by combining high-quality
legal services with supportive services coordinated through strategic partnerships with social service providers, government agencies,
and other legal aid organizations. Legal representation focuses on criminal defense and criminal records relief with a supportive civil
legal program (housing and family law including for incarcerated parents).
In July 2014, CGLA acquired Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM). CLAIM began almost 30 years ago as a
legal services and advocacy organization that advocates for policies and programs that benefit families of imprisoned mothers and
reduces the incarceration of women and girls. The CLAIM Program has allowed CGLAs family law program to reach both
incarcerated mothers and fathers by representing or advising incarcerated or formerly incarcerated parents on family law issues
including child custody, guardianship, and parent-child visitation. Attorneys teach classes on family law issues to the incarcerated
parents on site at the Cook County jail or Illinois Department of Corrections facilities.
Opportunities:
Legal interns, externs, and fellows have the opportunity to work in one of our four legal practice areas (criminal defense, criminal
records, housing, and family including special opportunities with incarcerated parents) under the supervision of staff attorneys.
Depending on the assigned program area, CGLA legal interns, externs and fellows will have the chance to participate in all phases of
litigation, including settlement negotiations, drafting pleadings, discovery and motions, assisting with trials and post-trial motions.
They also investigate cases, conduct intake interviews (at the office or on-site at partner agencies or correctional facilities), participate
in client consultations, research and write memoranda, and represent clients in court pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711, if
eligible.
We are seeking legal interns for the Spring 2016 and Summer 2016 sessions. During the school year, a legal internship is for
approximately 15 hours a week. During the summer, legal internships are for approximately 400 hours (or 10 weeks of full-time
work). Please note that during the Spring 2016 session, we are only seeking interns for our Criminal Records and CLAIM programs.
CGLA currently has an opportunity for one Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)-funded legal intern in both the spring and summer
sessions. We are also seeking three PILI-funded post-graduate fellows for Summer 2016 (one in criminal records and defense, one in
housing and one in family law).
Criminal Defense: Our criminal defense practice centers on Cook County felony and misdemeanor matters but we also provide
representation to youths in juvenile delinquency matters as well as juveniles accused of parole violations. CGLAs criminal cases
generally involve those who are unjustly accused or where the potential punishment is not commensurate with the allegations,
individuals dealing with mental illness or addiction, first-time offenders, juveniles or young clients, or others for whom CGLA
believes our intervention can make a significant difference in the outcome. Criminal defense interns will get exposure to all stages of
criminal representation, from initial client consultation and mitigation gathering to legal research, strategy planning and litigation.
Interns who are 711 licensed will get opportunities to represent clients in courtroom litigation and mitigation hearings or conferences.
Criminal Records interns provide legal services that may include prescreening potential clients criminal backgrounds to determine
their eligibility for various forms of relief, conducting intake interviews, preparing petitions to expunge and seal criminal records,
preparing petitions for executive clemency, representing clemency clients before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, writing health
care waivers, and preparing and filing motions for certificates of rehabilitation and other matters in circuit court. Services are
performed at CGLAs office, at remote locations, including Help Desk at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois, and at the
offices of designated community partners. Students who are eligible may represent clients in Cook County circuit courts pursuant to
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711.
Family law interns at CGLA represent parents in family court who are either presently on parole or probation or who are currently
incarcerated or were recently released from custody, focusing on issues of child support, child custody, child visitation and
establishing paternity. We also provide representation to biological parents seeking to discharge guardianship of their children,
respondents in orders of protection and incarcerated individuals in simple divorce matters on a specially designed court call. Interns
participate in all phases of litigation, including settlement negotiations, drafting pleadings, discovery and motions, assisting with
hearings and trials.
The Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM) Program at CGLA tries to interrupt the cycle of incarceration

between mothers and children and to strengthen family bonds. The main responsibilities of interns relate to family law, but interns
may also assist with researching reproductive justice issues and domestic violence policy goals. CLAIM interns prepare legal
paperwork, conduct intake appointments through collect calls, visit Illinois prisons, respond to letters we receive from incarcerated
litigants, and assist in court. Legal paperwork includes subjects such as guardianship, custody, visitation, divorce, and foster care.
Applicants with an interest in reproductive justice and womens issues, who are comfortable visiting and speaking with incarcerated
litigants, and who have strong letter writing skills are encouraged to apply.
Housing interns provide representation and advocacy on behalf of clients facing the loss of subsidized housing based on allegations of
criminal activity of a household member or guest under HUDs one-strike policy. We represent tenants in eviction court and
voucher holders at both informal hearings and in petitions for writ of certiorari. Interns will have an opportunity to learn all aspects of
litigation, including discovery and motion practice, oral argument, legal research, and assist in trials and administrative hearings. We
also represent individuals denied admission into subsidized housing programs based on their criminal record in both the administrative
review process and on appeal.
Qualifications:
Current law student;
Commitment to CGLAs mission statement and guiding principles (see http://www.cgla.net/about);
Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income and impoverished individuals;
Interest in the impact the criminal justice system has on our community;
Excellent writing and communication skills;
Ability to handle multiple projects at one time and manage deadlines; and
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills, and capacity to be energized by the opportunity to
work in a fast-paced, team-centered environment.
Application Information:
Applicants may submit a resume and cover letter, indicating up to two program areas of interest, to Ryann Moran, intern coordinator,
at internships@cgla.net. Those seeking to work with our Criminal Defense or Housing programs are also asked to submit a writing
sample. CGLA hires on a rolling admission policy, but the sooner the application is received, the more opportunities will be available.
If a legal intern or fellow wishes to be considered for one of CGLAs PILI-funded opportunities, the candidate must utilize the PILI
application process in order to be eligible.
CGLA interns may also qualify to become a member of the Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps JD program. As an AmeriCorps JD, the
intern will receive a $1,212 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which is a voucher that can be applied toward student loans or
current tuition within seven years of completion of service. AmeriCorps JD must be able to complete 300 hours of service by August
31, 2016. Go to http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/law-school/americorpsjd/apply for information about eligibility and to preview the
application. You must secure a position with CGLA and know the name of your direct supervisor in order to complete the application.
CGLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives equal consideration to all qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis
of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, military status, marital status, sexual
orientation, or any other legally protected status.