The Northern Illinois University College of Law was honored as a 2021 Pro Bono Leader on ABA Free Legal Answers by the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. The College of Law was recognized for extraordinary pro bono services through its participation in ABA Free Legal Answers, a virtual legal advice clinic.
“Through Northern Illinois University College of Law’s exceptional pro bono service, you are helping to ensure that tens of thousands of low-income individuals across this country are receiving the legal help they deserve,” said ABA Committee Chair David F. Bienvenu.
On May 18, 2020, the NIU College of Law launched its COVID-19 Legal Response Clinic as a result of the global pandemic. The Clinic addressed a multitude of legal challenges faced by primarily low-income individuals during the pandemic. Students advised clients in a variety of legal matters including unemployment, landlord/tenant issues, domestic violence, family law, public benefits, expungement/sealing of criminal records, as well as issues related to elder abuse, guardianships, and wills and powers of attorney throughout the entire state of Illinois.
Directed by Interim Assistant Dean Anita Maddali and run by clinical faculty members – Professors Paul Cain, Wendy Vaughn, and Colleen Boraca, the Clinic was also presented with the Illinois State Bar Association’s 2020-21 Excellence in Legal Education Award. This award honors a law school program that emphasizes real world skills for its students.
ABA Free Legal Answers is a national program hosted in each state by a non-profit. In Illinois, the program is hosted by the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) as Illinois Free Legal Answers. The NIU Law COVID-19 Legal Response Clinic worked closely with PILI to set up this partnership and collaborated with PILI directly. Free Legal Answers was created by the ABA to increase access to advice and information about non-criminal legal matters for those who cannot afford legal assistance. The program is now active in 41 jurisdictions within the United States, including Illinois.
