Pro Bono Opportunities from Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice
If you are interested in these pro bono opportunities at Chicago Appleseed, please contact Executive Director Malcolm Rich at 312.988.6565.
Judicial Election Reform
- Assist in the implementation of a Judicial Performance Commission which will evaluate Cook County judges seeking retention on the 2010 general election ballot. We are looking for lawyers with at least ten years experience in state court legal practice who will supervise the investigation teams.
- Voter Education - Assist in the implementation of a web and media based campaign to education voters about judges seeking retention on the general election ballot.
- Participate in the Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee, chaired by Ellyn Rosen, which will be drafting judicial recusal proposals and procedures to improve the way in which judicial vacancies are filled.
Criminal Justice
The felony criminal justice system has become the de facto and underfunded community mental health and drug treatment provider in Cook County. Many of the Chicago Appleseed recommendations are aimed at increasing the number and scope of court-related services and diversion programs.
- Participate in the Criminal Justice Committee, co- chaired by Professor Daniel Coyne and Robert Loeb. The Committee will assist in overseeing the implementation and assessment of the proposal by Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers to restructure the criminal division at the 26th Street Criminal Courts Building regarding nonviolent offenders. It will oversee an ongoing court watching program at 26th and California.
- Developing a best practices manual examining the best ways to utilize social workers or social work graduate students within the felony criminal justice system - a practical approach to the increasing problem of dealing with defendants who show symptoms of mental illness.
- Designing and implementing an assessment of the Cook County misdemeanor courts with a focus on possible due process concerns, the possible implementation of drug and mental health court calls, and the community court concept.
Government Effectiveness Program
- Participate in the Immigration Court Reform Advisory Group by conducting policy research, crafting of proposed federal rules and legislation, and the writing of policy positions and editorial pieces for the media and for publication. The Advisory Group will also oversee a court watching program in the immigration courts.
- We are looking for pro bono lawyers who will examine the child support enforcement and collection system in Illinois and identify strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for systemic change.
- We are looking for pro bono lawyers who will assist in legislative advocacy around the concept of creating a central management agency for all administrative law judges. We will conduct research to document the need for a central management agency. We will be writing concept and advocacy articles, as well as working with the media.
(list updated on November 6, 2009)