by Sean Valentin, CARPLS Communications Coordinator
We are excited to introduce and welcome our new staff attorneys to the CARPLS team! They each bring a wealth of experience, and we know they will be valuable assets to us here at CARPLS. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make on our clients and our organization.
Jillian:
How long have you been an attorney? How long have you been practicing law?
“I passed the bar on Halloween of 2013, so I’m coming up on my 11th year.”
What made you interested in the legal aid world, and what drew you to CARPLS?
“I went to law school because I wanted to get into legal aid and help underserved communities. Everything is so complicated and hard to understand, and I feel like lawyers do a great job of bridging the gap so that people can make better decisions. I’ve always wanted to do that. I think CARPLS meets a special need for people who don’t know how to get started. It helps by saying, ‘Okay, I can help you get to the finish line, but here are the places you should look first.'”
Is there any fun fact about yourself that you’d like people to know?
“I have a wonderful dog who’s sleeping right now—at least he’s not barking! He either sleeps or barks. When I work in the basement, he barks non-stop until I throw treats at him, which is totally my fault—I’ve trained him wrong. But today, I’m working upstairs, and he’s content to sleep, so it’s peaceful.”
Peter:
How long have you been an attorney? How long have you been practicing?
“I have been an attorney and practicing law for 27 years.”
What made you interested in joining CARPLS in the first place, and what made you want to come back after you had previously left?
“I initially joined CARPLS when I moved back to Illinois from Arizona. I was working for myself at the time, but things were slow, so I was looking for a way to supplement my income. CARPLS mainly had part-time staff attorneys at that time, so I took the position to support my business and bring in some income.
During my three years from 2003 to 2006, I really enjoyed the work and loved helping people. However, the part-time work wasn’t sufficient, and I eventually left hoping for a full-time position that didn’t materialize.
After leaving CARPLS, I worked in various roles, including a lumber company for about eight years. When that company went out of business, I looked for work again. By then, CARPLS had full-time positions available, so I was excited to return. I came back happily and enjoyed working as a staff attorney and later as a supervisor.
I left again after about four years to seek more challenges and interesting legal work with a larger organization. I joined Prairie State Legal Services but didn’t find it as fulfilling as I hoped. Fortunately, CARPLS was hiring again, so I returned.”
What is it about working in Legal Aid that you enjoy and that keeps you doing it?
“Legal Aid has been the most fulfilling of all my jobs. You get immediate satisfaction from helping people. In other areas like litigation, the work can be less fulfilling and focused on billable hours, which doesn’t sustain me. Legal Aid wasn’t something I initially considered, but I found it incredibly rewarding. Even if you can’t fully resolve a client’s problem, you provide them with information and someone who listens. I also enjoy teaching and find that Legal Aid work is a lot like teaching, educating people about the law.”
Is there a fun fact or anything like that you’d like us to know about?
“I’ve been involved in martial arts for longer than I’ve been an attorney—about 40 years. For the past 12 or 13 years, I’ve worked as a self-defense instructor, teaching private classes and giving presentations on self-defense and the law of self-defense. This hobby is a huge part of my life and keeps me motivated outside of work.”
Chris:
Can you tell me how long you’ve been practicing law? How long have you been an attorney?
“I graduated from law school in 2014, so it’s been about ten years.”
What interested you in the legal aid world, and what brought you to CARPLS?
“I started working in legal aid around 2017 or 2018 with a housing nonprofit. I went to law school to be part of something meaningful and to help people navigate the justice system. I initially focused on criminal defense but transitioned into civil legal aid. Joining CARPLS felt like a natural fit because I’ve always respected the organization and referred clients to them. I was excited to learn more about different areas of law beyond housing.”
Is there a fun fact or anything like that you’d like us to know about?
“I’m licensed in Louisiana because I’m originally from there. I passed the Louisiana bar in 2015. I’m from New Orleans but moved back to Chicago, where I went to law school, and took the bar here in 2015. My Louisiana license is dormant, but I can reactivate it with a fee. I also enjoy building computers.”
Izabella:
Can you tell me how long you’ve been practicing law and how long you’ve been an attorney?
“I’ve been practicing law since 2001.”
What interested you in the legal aid world, and what brought you to CARPLS?
“I started my career at medium to large-sized law firms representing corporations, which I found unsatisfying. I realized that ordinary people couldn’t afford high hourly rates, limiting their access to the legal system. I initially started my own practice with sliding scale rates but soon saw that legal aid organizations could reach even more people. I discovered CARPLS through my eviction work and found it aligned with my goal of providing affordable legal representation. CARPLS offers a solution to the financial barriers many face.”
Is there a fun fact or anything interesting that you’d like people to know?
“I have a dog named Hubert, who is my baby. I cook every meal for him, take him for long 4-6 hour walks on the beach, and pamper him in every way I can think of.”
Lorena:
Can you tell me how long you’ve been practicing law and how long you’ve been an attorney?
“I’ve been practicing law for about 12 years.”
What interested you in the legal aid world, and what brought you to CARPLS?
“I’ve been involved in legal aid because I believe in helping people who don’t have access to legal resources. I’ve always incorporated pro bono work into my practice and had a long-term relationship with a service organization. When I saw the posting for attorneys at CARPLS, I was looking for employment after closing the family branch of my practice. It seemed like a great opportunity to pursue something I enjoy as a career.”
Is there a fun fact or anything interesting that you’d like people to know?
“I was born in Michoacán, Mexico, and I speak Spanish. While my immediate family is here in the U.S., I still have some aunts, uncles, and cousins in Mexico.”
