Patricia M. Nelson

Patty is the Director of both our Chancery Court Access to Justice Program and Foreclosure Mediation Program.  Through the programs, CVLS accepts appointments from the court to represent low-income pro se litigants in danger of losing their homes.  CVLS staff and volunteers represent clients in mortgage foreclosure litigation and mediation, in Chicago Housing Authority terminations and in title fraud, mortgage fraud, and predatory lending cases.  Patty handles many of these complex housing cases herself.  She also actively recruits, trains and supports volunteers as well as arranges ongoing seminars and training workshops in these areas.  Patty has been a featured speaker on the issues of mortgage foreclosure defense and title and mortgage fraud for Metropolitan Family Services, the Illinois Paralegal Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Illinois Continuing Legal Education.  She is the author of a foreclosure defense instruction manual, and the co-author of a manual for landlords wishing to evict their tenants.  Previously, Patty spent eight years as our utility attorney.  She is experienced in real estate litigation, foreclosure litigation and mediation, probate, landlord tenant, contract disputes, adoption, DCFS administrative hearings and acting as guardian ad litem in contested custody disputes.   Patty also has experience drafting legislation, lobbying for its passage, and testifying in support of that legislation to the Illinois House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.  Currently, Patty serves on the CBA’s Legal Aid and Real Estate Law Committees and is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association.