Jessica Rhoades Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

- Facilitate a civil pro bono legal clinic in partnership with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, pairing volunteer attorneys with clients in need - Guide assessment of potential cases, providing legal analysis of the strength of claims - Closed the gap in services for clients the clinic could not pair with a volunteer, providing remote brief legal services, extended representation, or quality referrals - Modernize informal operations, strengthen partnerships, increase outreach to volunteers, leading to a 30% increase in active volunteers - Draft funding reports, create updated outreach materials, and launch a quarterly newsletter

Chicago

- Provided expert specialized legal assistance for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in civil matters, primarily focused on health and administrative law but encompassing many areas of civil practice including litigation- Staffed a twice weekly walk-in legal help desk within the Cook County CORE Center, partnering with the infectious disease medical team to coordinate patient/client directed services, addressing legal and medical emergencies together to improve outcomes - Conducted all aspects intake and representation for a 50+ client caseload, with approximately a quarter of clients communicating in Spanish - Excelled at conducting legal trainings for clients and community partners, leading to recurring invitations from multiple support groups, medical teams, and services providers - Supervised non-attorney advocates and law students with their own case loads

Joliet, Illinois

- Proudly represented low-income families, people with disabilities and Spanish speaking survivors of domestic violence in civil matters- Litigation practice included domestic relations, orders of protection, residential evictions, SSI/SSDI eligibility, and public benefits appeals

Wheaton, Il

Champaign, Il

Chicago, Il

Oakland, Ca

J.D.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), History And English