SETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Improving access to justice in federal civil rights cases.
Helping low-income individuals who have filed federal civil rights lawsuits without the benefit of counsel.
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights created the Settlement Assistance Program to help guide people through the settlement aspect of their case.
The program assigns volunteer attorneys to federal cases, giving them the opportunity to satisfy their personal and professional goal of giving back to the community.
CONTACT:
J. Cunyon Gordon
Director
Settlement Assistance Program
cgordon@clccrul.org
The Settlement Assistance Program
Helping the Court by making the settlement process more efficient
Cases are referred to the program by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois when an individual, called a “pro se” filer, is seeking a settlement, or when the judge has determined it is appropriate to settle the case.
About 20% of the Court’s workload involves assisting filers who lack legal representation.
The Settlement Assistance Program provides a substantial benefit to the Court by lifting the burden placed on judges who would otherwise need to assist people filing without lawyers.
Giving volunteer attorneys valuable professional experience
Since 2006, attorneys from firms of all sizes, including Chicago’s largest and most prestigious firms and solo practitioners, have participated in the Settlement Assistance Program.
Volunteer attorneys are able to take on a variety of cases, including:
Employment discrimination
Prisoners’ rights (medical care, conditions of confinement, etc.)
Fair debt collection
Typical duties in the settlement process include case analysis, drafting settlement letters, negotiation, and counseling.
