You can help make the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois more accessible and understandable to pro se parties, debtors and creditors, by staffing the court’s bankruptcy assistance desk at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

What is it? The bankruptcy court provides a bankruptcy assistance desk at Chicago’s federal courthouse in conjunction with the Chicago Bar Association and the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago. Volunteer  attorneys staffing the desk offer free bankruptcy advice to parties without lawyers.

Why the need? Because of recent funding cuts, the bankruptcy assistance desk has had to reduce its hours. The desk is now staffed three days a week instead of five. People in need of help are forced to navigate a complex and often baffling legal process alone.

What will I do? As a volunteer attorney staffing the desk, you will answer general questions about bankruptcy law and counsel clients on their cases. You will also help clients prepare forms and draft motions.

Will there be training? Yes. Before seeing clients, you will receive any training you need from LAF attorneys on common consumer bankruptcy issues and on the relevant Rules of Professional Responsibility. In addition, an  experienced lawyer will be available to answer questions and provide support to volunteers.

What’s the commitment? Limited. Two volunteer attorneys are scheduled each day and see a total of ten clients. A volunteer’s shift typically lasts from three to three and a half hours. Once the shift is over, the volunteer has no further obligations to the clients seen that day. Volunteer lawyers should be willing to take at least one shift every two months.

What experience is necessary? Volunteers should have at least one year of bankruptcy experience.

How do I sign up? Contact David Yen at dyen@lafchicago.org before November 28, 2014. A group training session is planned for early December.