News

With 46 years of experience providing high quality, free legal services to low-income Chicagoans, CVLS and its volunteers are often recognized for their outstanding work.

CVLS Apna Ghar Family Law Clinic.

September, 2010

Volunteer Sahar Dar, Schiff Hardin LLP, has a strong professional interest in helping victims of domestic violence resolve their family law needs.

CVLS hosts delegation of legal aid attorneys from China.

August, 2010

Murder, money and mayhem.

July, 2010

D was convicted and sentenced to prison for murder after his long time girlfriend told the police where to find the body and served as the star witness at trial. As he sat in prison, D came up with a way to use the legal system to exact revenge. He hired an attorney and sued her. When D was still a free man, he used his girlfriend’s account to deposit check's he received.

Mary Anne Smith Receives CBF Exelon Outstanding Corporate Counsel Award

July, 2010

Mary Anne Smith was honored for 25+ years of pro bono work through CVLS' Visitation Church Legal Clinic in Englewood. More than 1,500 clients have been helped at this clinic since it was founded in 1988.

CVLS wins Illinois Supreme Court case

June, 2010

A unanimous Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of two mortgage foreclosure cases, ruling that foreclosures must be brought against named parties. The appeal, filed by CVLS, resolved an ongoing conflict in courts around the state.

CVLS Volunteer Receives CBA's Liberty Bell Award

May, 2010

Paralegal Bertha Serrano was honored by the Chicago Bar Association for her pro bono work with CVLS’ Drinker Biddle & Reath/Our Lady of Mercy Church Legal Clinic in Albany Park. The Liberty Bell Award honors a non attorney whose work strengthens the American system of justice.

ThunderDome

December, 2009

In partnership with the CBF and CARPLS, CVLS has opened two ThunderDome Clinics, one for divorces, the other for mortgage foreclosure defense. ThunderDome is a new clinic model where a group of attorneys handle their first cases in monthly group sessions that include specialized training and individualized support. ThunderDome Clinics: Novices Enter, Veterans Leave.

CVLS Honors Judge Maureen Connors and Sidley Austin LLP

November, 2009

CVLS gave Judge Maureen Connors its Court of Honor award for her support of pro bono guardians ad litem, her sensitivity to the needs of low-income clients and for treating pro bono attorneys with courtesy and respect. Sidley & Austin was honored for providing long-term, high quality, free legal services to the residents of Uptown.

CVLS Honored With Leadership Award

September, 2009

The Indian American Bar Association, which co-sponsors CVLS’ Cyriac D. Kappil Legal Clinic, honored CVLS with its Distinguished Leadership Award.

CVLS Volunteer Receives Pro Bono Award

July, 2009

Long-time volunteer Stephen Bashaw was honored with the Chicago Bar Foundation’s Edward J. Lewis II Pro Bono Service Award for his 30+ years of outstanding pro bono work. In addition to handling scores of cases, Steve shares his considerable expertise in real estate litigation with other pro bono attorneys.