Pro bono attorneys get an office
In lean economic times, those who need legal service the most are often those who can't afford it.
With that in mind, the Kane County Law Library and Self-Help Legal Center in St. Charles on Wednesday announced a new program to match low-income clients with lawyers who will work for free.
Lawyer in the Library, which launches next week, will provide private meeting space, office equipment and other tools to pro bono attorneys and their clients two days a week.
“This is our way of encouraging attorneys to volunteer their time and hearts to work on pro bono cases,” Library Director Halle Cox said.
The library is partnering with the nonprofit group Administer Justice, which will provide volunteer lawyers from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and 1 to 4 p.m. on Fridays. To be eligible for services, applicants must meet certain financial criteria based on income and other household factors.
Bruce Strom, executive director of Administer Justice, said the demand for pro bono attorneys is high, with needs concentrated in the areas of family court and foreclosures.
“We want to be able to help as many people as we can,” he said.
Wednesday's announcement coincided with National Pro Bono Week and the official opening of three new library conference rooms designed for private attorney-client consultations.
The rooms, which will be available for scheduled use throughout the week, are stocked with specially equipped computers that link attorneys directly to the circuit clerk's office and allow them to file emergency orders of protection on the spot.
The project was funded by about $40,000 in civil-court filing fees, which support the library's budget. Cox said those fees have been coming in more steadily due to an increase in foreclosures, divorces and small claims.
“We definitely wanted to use those funds to give back to the community,” she said.
The law library is located on the second floor of the Kane County Judicial Center, 37W777 Route 38, St. Charles, which is served by public transportation.
Those seeking services should inquire at the library.