The Young Lawyers Section of The Chicago Bar Association operate many programs designed to provide the public greater access to legal services, law-related information and volunteers from the legal community. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact the YLS at (312) 554-2032 regarding the following projects, unless otherwise indicated.

CBA Moot Court Competition: In its twenty-sixth year, this competition is organized and the problem is created solely by members of the Young Lawyers Section of The Chicago Bar Association.  Every year the Competition to ensures both an interesting and challenging experience for the participants. Participants will have the opportunity to hone their research, writing, and oral advocacy skills along with approximately 30 other teams from across the country.  A special effort is made to recruit sitting judges from the Chicago area to give contestants a real taste of courtroom practice. Click here for more information.

Children's Book Drive: Children's books are collected during December from employees of law firms and corporations, and are distributed to Chicago area shelters and the Juvenile Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County.  Each year approximately 2,000 books are collected.

Dear Santa Campaign:  Each December the YLS distributes letters from needy children who have written to Santa requesting holiday gifts.  Volunteers then purchase a requested gift and send it to the child, with a note from Santa.

Dining Out for Life AIDS Fundraiser:  The YLS co-sponsors an annual fundraiser for AIDS Care, Inc. and Horizon Community Service.  Participating restaurants donate a percentage of their profits from a designated day to these organizations.

E-Mentoring: YLS volunteers are paired with high school students from Richards Career Academy for a 10-week program.  Volunteers provide informative and thought-provoking discussion via e-mail about topics being studied in the students' Law and Public Safety class.

Law Explorers:  The YLS Law Explorers Project sponsors lectures and activities for young men and women between the ages of 14 and 20 who are interested in careers in law and government.  Volunteer attorneys meet with students from 100 Chicago area high schools every other Wednesday evening and participate in role plays concerning legal and ethical questions.  The Law Explorers participate at the end of the year in a mock trial competition. Contact the Committee Chairs to get involved.

Law Week:  Each year the YLS holds a week of activities designed to get information out to the public on legal services and legal matters. Activities include an essay contest, the Liberty Bell Award and public information sites. On Law Day itself the YLS sponsors a celebration at the Daley Center, including presentation of the Liberty Bell Award to a non-lawyer whose exemplary community service has advanced the ideals of law and justice, and an award to the winner of a high school essay contest held at the CBA on a law-related issue. Contact the Law Week Chairs for more information or to volunteer.

Pro Bono & Community Service Fair: The YLS runs a volunteer fair in early Fall to highlight all YLS, CBA, CBF, and affiliated projects and programs.  For the last 3 years the fair has been generously hosted by Jenner & Block LLP. Attendees speak with participating organizations, receive written materials, and sign up if interested in volunteering for the project.  This event expands the number of law-related professionals volunteering for pro bono and other public service activities.

School Supply Collection Drive for William C. Goudy Elementary: The YLS collects school supplies for the William C. Goudy Elementary School, which the CBA adopted in October 2003. 

Spring Fling at Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence: The YLS holds an annual party for the children and mothers at the House of Good Shepard.  YLS provides gifts for each mother and child, dinner and desserts. 

YLS Repack Night at GCFD: Each Spring YLS members volunteer to repack food products at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.