The Center for Disability and Elder Law announces:
A free CLE training on drafting Powers of Attorney, as part of CDEL's SCI program, is provided on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at CDEL's office. Illinois licensed attorneys will receive 1 hour of MCLE credit for attendance at the training and should be able to commit to participating in at least one workshop. Students (especially students eligible for Supreme Court Rule 711 licenses) and retired attorneys are also welcome to attend.
Sponsor(s): Center for Disability and Elder Law
Date: 01/27/2010
Time: 01:00PM - 02:30PM
Location: 79 W. Monroe Suite 919, Chicago, IL 60603
Speakers: Thomas Wendt, Esq. Legal Director, Center for Disability & Elder Law.
Date: 01/27/2010
Time: 01:00PM - 02:30PM
Location: 79 W. Monroe Suite 919, Chicago, IL 60603
Speakers: Thomas Wendt, Esq. Legal Director, Center for Disability & Elder Law.
Program Description:
The SCI brings CDEL staff and volunteer attorneys to senior citizen residences across Chicago and suburban Cook County to prepare Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Property, as well as Living Will Declarations. In 2009, CDEL conducted 54 workshops scheduled, assisting approximately 650 seniors. Between 4 and 8 volunteer attorneys and 8 and 20 seniors participate in each workshop.
To administer the SCI workshops, CDEL staff attorneys and volunteers to travel to low-income senior citizens' residence facilities to conduct educational outreaches, teaching the residents of the facilities about CDEL and its services, in particular Powers of Attorney.
CDEL staff and volunteer attorneys then return to the site to conduct the workshop. Generally, volunteer attorneys travel directly to site, thus avoiding a trip downtown to CDEL's office. At the workshop, the CDEL volunteer attorneys meet one on one with seniors, where the attorneys consult with residents, explain the documents in detail to the residents and draft the documents. The documents are then witnessed, notarized, copied and presented to the senior. This is a great opportunity to provide assistance directly to seniors in a discreet, one time manner, with no lingering client matters. Once the documents are completed and the workshop is finished, the attorney client relationship ends. If any follow-up is needed, CDEL handles the follow-up.
The SCI brings CDEL staff and volunteer attorneys to senior citizen residences across Chicago and suburban Cook County to prepare Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Property, as well as Living Will Declarations. In 2009, CDEL conducted 54 workshops scheduled, assisting approximately 650 seniors. Between 4 and 8 volunteer attorneys and 8 and 20 seniors participate in each workshop.
To administer the SCI workshops, CDEL staff attorneys and volunteers to travel to low-income senior citizens' residence facilities to conduct educational outreaches, teaching the residents of the facilities about CDEL and its services, in particular Powers of Attorney.
CDEL staff and volunteer attorneys then return to the site to conduct the workshop. Generally, volunteer attorneys travel directly to site, thus avoiding a trip downtown to CDEL's office. At the workshop, the CDEL volunteer attorneys meet one on one with seniors, where the attorneys consult with residents, explain the documents in detail to the residents and draft the documents. The documents are then witnessed, notarized, copied and presented to the senior. This is a great opportunity to provide assistance directly to seniors in a discreet, one time manner, with no lingering client matters. Once the documents are completed and the workshop is finished, the attorney client relationship ends. If any follow-up is needed, CDEL handles the follow-up.
- The program is good for attorneys interested in providing pro bono service to clients, but do not have the time or availability to provide long term representation.
- The program is also good for retired and semi-retired attorneys, who simply wish to "give something back" to the community. For retired attorneys, CDEL can even facilitate those attorneys to obtain a Supreme Court Rule 756(j) license (for retired attorneys working for/volunteering at non-profit legal service providers).
- The program is also great for law students who are interested in obtaining practical legal and client interaction experience. For qualified students, CDEL will assist in obtaining a Supreme Court Rule 711 provisional license.
Contact Information:
For more information or to register for the CLE training, please email CDEL at cle@probonocdel.org or call CDEL Chief Legal Officer Thomas Wendt at (312) 376-1880 ext 21.
And now, the Sales Pitch:
The SCI Workshop concept has been very successful and there is a demonstrated need for expansion of the program.
- It is a positive experience for the residences, as they are able to schedule an activity that provides a much needed service.
- It is a positive experience for the law firms and attorneys, as the SCI provides the opportunity for pro bono work in a discreet workshop, as well as the opportunity to receive MCLE credit.
- It is a positive experience for CDEL, as it provides CDEL with the opportunity to provide service to a large number of seniors and is an incredibly efficient use of CDEL resources.
- Most importantly, the Workshop is a positive experience for the seniors as they receive these very important legal services and legal documents at no expense in an efficient manner.
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