Program Example

An initiative of The Welfare to Work Partnership, the Chicago Law Project began in February 2000. Although the program does not specifically serve former prisoners, people with criminal records do fall into their broad target population of individuals with significant barriers to employment. Of the 30 people who have graduated from the program in its first two years, nearly 60 percent of the pilot class and nearly one-quarter of the subsequent class were former prisoners.

Candidates receive an initial screening that involves a skills assessment, drug testing and identification of any other potential health issues. Program participants then complete a 13-week training curriculum that covers both “hard skills” (reading, writing, math, spelling, communication and office skills) and “soft skills” specific to working in a law firm environment (office etiquette, prioritizing skills, and giving and receiving constructive feedback). The training also incorporates certain important life skills such as money management, handling stress and balancing work and family. Two weeks into the training each participant is placed in a paid internship with a law firm where they spend two days at the firm and three days in class. In addition, the individual is matched with a mentor, a volunteer from the law firm, who meets with the candidate once a week to discuss their progress, identify challenges and help problem solve. Upon completion of the training, the candidate is placed with a law firm and continues to receive support services (skill development, transportation and child care assistance) for one year.

The Chicago Law Project relies on collaborative partnerships with community-based organizations to identify and refer potential candidates to the program. The Project also has community partnerships with Chicago area law firms, which agree to hire at least one person who completes the training program, provide a paid internship in a support staff role during the program, and provide a mentor for new hires. The 13-week curriculum was designed in collaboration between the Welfare to Work Partnership’s Business Resource Group and the participating law firms.

Outcomes