Spotlight On: Jennifer Guadarrama

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1 August 2016 Mark Your Calendars Now 8/11 New Volunteer Orientation CVLS Offices 12:15 p.m. 8/31 Tort Defense Part 2 CVLS Offices 12:00 p.m. 9/23 Vino + Van Gogh Sponsorship deadline 5:00 p.m. 9/9 Last day to register for Race Judicata 4:00 p.m. 9/15 Race Judicata Arvey Field 6:30 p.m. 10/13 New Volunteer Orientation CVLS Offices 12:15 p.m. 10/14 Vino + Van Gogh 6:00 p.m. Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events Spotlight On: Jennifer Guadarrama Intake Specialist Jennifer Guadarrama joined CVLS after graduating from the University of Minnesota, Morris in the spring of 2015 with a double major in Psychology and Liberal Arts for Human Services, and a minor in Latin American Studies. In her role as Intake Specialist with CVLS, she performs intake screenings to determine case eligibility, schedules meetings between clients and attorneys, manages walk-in clients, serves as a Spanish language interpreter even going to court when needed. During her time at CVLS she said she has become a skilled multitasker and she finds satisfaction on the days she can see a client receive a satisfying outcome. Her favorite intake cases, she said, are adoptions, where she can tell a client that CVLS will be able to accept their case and that the service provided will only cost any applicable court or filing fees, and not an attorney s hourly rate. Growing up in Pilsen she was exposed early on to social justice work through Mujeres Latinas en Accion. Through these organizations she was able to see first-hand the ways that members of an engaged community can support each other and create a stronger neighborhood. During high school she was involved with Proyecto Juventud, which she credits with keeping her and her friends on track. She knew she wanted to study something pertaining to social justice and nonprofit work. During her time at the University of Minnesota, Morris she became involved in creating a campus environment that was healthy and supportive of students from diverse backgrounds. She served as President of the campus chapter of Voces Unidas, worked as a student mentor, was the manager of the Cultural Development Lab and joined the women s rugby team. Case Notes Lawanda and her daughter were being evicted from their Section 8 subsidized apartment because her mom had been arrested for drug possession. Lawanda didn t know about the arrest until she got a notice from the CHA terminating her subsidy. She immediately kicked her mom out of the apartment and asked the CHA to remove mom from the lease. Her request was ignored and the CHA terminated all three people from the program. Lawanda petitioned for administrative review and the Chancery Court judge appointed CVLS to represent her. PILI Fellow Katherine Rhoades dove in to settle the case. Her lengthy proposal, detailing the hearing officer s errors, did the trick and the CHA agreed to reinstate Lawanda and her daughter. A little forceful advocacy went a long way to assure this family a safe and affordable home in Chicago. Jennifer Guadarrama, CVLS Intake Specialist

2 Vino + Van Gogh Tickets Available V+VG is a wonderful opportunity for professionals to enjoy art, food, music and drinks while mingling with old friends and making new connections. Every year Chicago artists display their work for guests to enjoy and to add to the event s alluring atmosphere. A variety of media will be represented, including photography, paintings and sculpture. You ll be able to make purchases directly from the artists for reasonable prices, with CVLS receiving a donated portion of the price. Proceeds from Vino + Van Gogh go to support CVLS mission of supporting its 2300 volunteer attorneys, who provide a wide range of totally free civil legal aid to the poor and working poor on an individual basis. Leading the way in litigation, family law and guardianship, CVLS is recognized as the most comprehensive, most efficient and most cost-effective civil legal aid provider in Chicago. Vino + Van Gogh is a great opportunity to gain exposure among key audiences in Chicago s legal community, while supporting a worthy cause. A JEP Baby Congratulations to JEP intern Latotyia Kimbrough, who recently adopted 3-month-old Zara River Kimbrough-Stampley. This is the first child for Kimbrough and her wife, Latoya Stampley. Our deadline for sponsorships to receive full benefits is September 23. For sponsorship information visit: cvls.org/vinovangogh. What You Help Make Possible For 52 years Chicago Volunteer Legal Services has maintained its dedication to expanding access to effective legal services for Chicago s poor and working poor. CVLS accomplishes this, in part, by providing education and support for volunteer attorneys. Today CVLS supports 2,300 pro bono attorneys who, last year alone, completed 3,095 cases. In those 52 years CVLS has helped over 375,000 Chicagoans navigate complex legal situations. CVLS runs 24 legal clinics and a robust panel program. The agency is also appointed by judges to represent low income parties in nearly 1000 cases annually. CVLS leads the way in pro bono litigation, consumer, housing and family civil legal issues. We could most certainly not do this work without the support and efforts of our volunteers to provide high quality legal service to our clients and their families. Our pro bono attorneys handle more litigation and more family law cases than any other legal aid program in Illinois. Please consider making a small gift of $52 to ensure we continue to guarantee access to justice in Chicago. Cvls.org/donate

3 CVLS Flashback Debt Issues Seminar Online Last month s seminar Debt Issues Facing Legal Aid Clients is now available to watch for free on CVLS.org. While representing low-income clients, pro bono and legal aid attorneys often discover that debt issues impact other areas of their lives and cases. Debt Issues Facing Legal Aid Clients provides a foundation for consumer law attorneys or for any attorney interested in taking on a consumer law matter. Attorneys Mary E. Philipps and Angie K. Robertson of consumer law firm Philipps & Philipps, LTD discussed debt issues in the context of legal aid, with a focus on debt collection and credit reporting. This seminar covers the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, as well as litigating on behalf of consumers who have been defrauded, subject to illegal collection activity, or improper credit reporting. Two runners stretch before the start of Race Judicata in The last day for early bird pricing for this year s Race Judicata ends on August 26. Visit cvls.org/judicata to register in advance and save. CLE seminars can be viewed at CVLS.org/ onlinecle and are available at absolutely no charge to any attorney, with or without a previous relationship with CVLS. CLE credit is available for attorneys who review a seminar in full.

4 Kristin Hudson in PILI Spotlight Board president Ex-Officio Kristen Hudson was featured recently as an alumni of the Public Interest Law Initiative s fellowship program. Hudson told PILI I credit CVLS with making me the lawyer that I am today, said Kristen. The hands-on experience I received early prepared me for the challenges of a career in commercial litigation, and gave me the foundation I needed to begin my legal practice. Altheimer & Grey sponsored Hudson s PILI Fellowship, which brought her to CVLS in She had previously worked with Altheimer as a summer associate before its dissilusion. She credits her PILI Fellowship with CVLS for helping her learn the skills to begin her legal practice. In one memorable case she helped a couple adopt their eight grandchildren after their mother passed away. Hudson is now a principal and General Counsel at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C and she is still an active CVLS volunteer. She was recently named Ex Officio of the CVLS Board of Directors. Spotlight On: LaToyia Kimbrough, JEP Latoyia Kimbrough applied to the Justice Entrepreneurs Project, she said, because she wanted to make change within the way the criminal justice system treats defendants and their families. She finished from law school in December 2014, passed the bar that February and got her license in May. She worked with a solo practitioner until she was accepted to the JEP class in November. While Kimbrough s law practice has focused on family law so far, she is expanding it to include more criminal cases. Often you walk into a courtroom and the only person of color is the defendant, Kimbrough said. To truly understand and relate to people, it kind of helps to have a similar background. I went to law school with a focus on criminal law. Practicing family law gives her a chance to help many of the same clients as she would in her criminal practice. At CVLS she handles divorces and adoptions. CVLS has given her one-on-one help with the things they don t teach in law school. Law school prepared you for how to find the law and look up things, but coming right out of law school, what I ve struggled with the most is the procedure, Kimbough said. CVLS has been great providing me with support and information. When you come up with a complex issue, they provide a template to move forward. Race Judicata ace udicata Registration for the 2016 Race Judicata is now open. Join more than 5,000 runners and the rest of Chicago s legal community for free food, drinks and live music. In the process, you ll be supporting CVLS mission to ensure that the law works for everyone, not just those who can afford it. CVLS supports over 2,300 volunteer attorneys who provide a wide range of totally free civil legal aid to the poor and working poor on an individual basis. Proceeds from Race Judicata help ensure that we can continue providing high quality totally free legal representation to low-income Chicagoans. Join us in Grant Park on September 15 to make this year s race the biggest and best yet. Register online at cvls.org/judicata. Important dates: August 26: Last day for early bird pricing September 2: Last day for sponsors to supply goody bag items. September 9: Online Registration Closed September 10, 11: Individual Packet Pickup dates September 14: Individual and Team Packet Pickup dates September 15: Race Day

5 Race Judicata is Chicago s best 5K RUN with AFTERPARTY benefiting CHICAGO VOLUNTEER LEGAL SERVICES** located at ARVEY FIELD in GRANT PARK featuring LIVE MUSIC and FREE FOOD and DRINKS with registration* $34 EARLY REGISTRATION $39 after August 26 *valid photo ID required for wristband **Chicago Volunteer Legal Services is a valid 501(c)(3) charity HAYSTACKID

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7 Upcoming CVLS Events Tort Defense Part Two Wednesday, August 31 CVLS Offices 12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. Join us as veteran trial attorney Guy D. Geleerd, Jr. demystifies the art of tort defense. Guy will present procedures and practical advice for navigating your first case from beginning to end. Vino + Van Gogh Sponsorship Deadline Friday, September 23 cvls.org/vinovangogh 5:00 p.m. Race Judicata Registration Deadline Friday, September 9 cvls.org/judicata 4:00 PM Leading the way in litigation, family law and guardianship, CVLS is recognized as the most comprehensive, most efficient and most cost-effective civil legal aid provider in Chicago. Vino + Van Gogh is a great opportunity to gain exposure among key audiences in Chicago s legal community, while supporting a worthy cause. For sponsorship information visit cvls.org/vinovangogh. This is the last date to register to run Race Judicata, along with more than 5,000 runners and he rest of chicago s legal community. Race Judicata Thursday, September 15 Arvey Field 6:00 p.m. Race Judicata 2016 is a 5K Run/Walk, benefiting Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation in our mission to ensure that the law works for everyone. This is the 22nd anniversary of the run and we are looking forward to making this year the biggest and best ever! Vino + Van Gogh Friday, October 14 National Hellenic Museum 6-10 p.m. Vino + Van Gogh is a wonderful opportunity for all professionals to enjoy art, food, music and drinks while mingling with old friends and making new connections. New Volunteer Orientations CVLS Offices, 12:15 PM Thursday, August 11 Thursday, October 13 Thursday, November 11 We ll cover the skills required to be a successful volunteer attorney, as well as the issues that may come up during cases. Training is for new volunteers working with CVLS. Please visit to register for a seminar!

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