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

What is it? The bankruptcy court provides a help desk at Chicago’s federal courthouse in
conjunction with the Chicago Bar Association and Legal Aid Chicago (formerly LAF).
Volunteer attorneys who staff the desk offer free bankruptcy advice to parties without lawyers.
Why the need? Because of recent funding cuts, the help desk has had to reduce its hours. The
desk is now staffed only three days a week. Too often, people in need of help are forced to
navigate a complex legal process alone.

What will I do? As a volunteer attorney, 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 have online training and shadow an
experienced volunteer. There will be occasional group training. You will be added to a group
listserv that provides a continuing way to discuss relevant issues. And an experienced lawyer
will also be available to answer questions and provide support.

What’s the commitment? Limited. Two volunteer attorneys are scheduled each day and see a
total of ten clients. A shift typically lasts two and a half to three hours. Once the shift is over, the
volunteer has no further obligations to the clients seen that day. Volunteer lawyers are expected
to take at least one shift every three months, though many volunteer once a month.
What experience is necessary? Volunteers need some bankruptcy experience – preferably at least
a year, though exceptions can be made if you work at a firm that provides bankruptcy expertise
you can call on.

What about malpractice insurance? And conflicts? Volunteers are covered by Legal Aid
Chicago’s malpractice insurance. Conflicts questions are addressed in Rule 6.5 of the ABA
Model Rules of Professional Responsibility.

New Bonus! Members of the trial bar appointed to represent parties in civil actions in the
district court can now perform their required service at the help desk instead.

How do I sign up? Send an e-mail expressing your interest in the bankruptcy help desk to:
volunteer@legalaidchicago.org.