The Pro Bono Committee of the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois is recruiting new volunteers for the court’s Bankruptcy Help Desk and volunteer panel.  This is a great opportunity to help people in need, gain valuable counseling and advocacy experience, and help the court manage its pro se cases more fairly and efficiently.  We invite you to attend a four-part training program for the Help Desk and volunteer panel that will give you the background and tools you need to get started.

Currently the Help Desk is operating remotely, making it possible to provide advice and assistance virtually and easier than ever to volunteer.  Basic knowledge of bankruptcy law and procedure and some bankruptcy experience are required, but specific knowledge of consumer bankruptcy law is not.

For many people seeking help, the Help Desk is now more accessible as well. The need is great and is expected to be even greater as many people have lost jobs and are faced with eviction or foreclosure.

The training sessions will take place in the late afternoon on four Thursdays in February (2/4, 2/11,2/18 and 2/25) and will be recorded so they can be viewed again later. The four sessions will provide sufficient knowledge to assist people who often do not know whether bankruptcy will help them, do not know whether they should file a chapter 7 or chapter 13 case, and do not know the proper papers to file to seek relief.

We will be applying for CLE credit for the trainings.  Malpractice insurance and expert support will also be provided for all Help Desk volunteers.

You can register for the training sessions here.  If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Jedeny Cortes at jcortes@legalaidchicago.org.