Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic To Open Soon

The Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic will hold its official grand opening on Friday, May 1 at 7:30 a.m. at their 1830 Green Bay Road location in Highland Park.

Sponsors will be announced at the opening.

“As a community, it is our responsibility to meet the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors, particularly our senior, economically challenged and immigrant populations. The support of the Clinic will help us advocate for the health, safety and security of our residents and their families.” said Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering. “This collaborative effort across our community confirms that working together, we find solutions and can meet the needs and achieve the hopes of our community.”

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The clinic was formed after a 2013 needs assessment study by the Human Services Task Force identified the need for quality and affordable legal services in the areas of immigration, domestic violence and housing. The clinic will serve those who live in Highland Park or Highwood who meet financial eligibility for services in these areas.

The income level for services has been set at 250% of the federal poverty level for a family of four (about $60,000).

“I’m especially gratified to see the response from our legal community” said Kathryn Vanden Berk, the organization’s Chair and Managing Attorney. “We have over 30 attorneys who have already signed up to provide their professional services on a pro bono basis.”

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Non-attorney volunteers are also welcome to assist with paralegal and non-legal administrative work. Bilingual volunteers are also being sought.

“A new program in Illinois allows attorneys who are on inactive or retired status with the ARDC to practice under our auspices as a pro bono legal aid clinic,” continued Vanden Berk. “This is new, and it will be interesting for us to see how many attorneys decide to take advantage of the program. All attorneys will be supervised by those who are experienced in their fields.”