Milton and Yeny enjoyed a nice life in Guatemala City until Milton witnessed a gang execution on his way home from work. He didn’t want to be a witness. He was caught in the middle of the street as a group of men harassed a 15-year-old boy. Suddenly, before Milton could turn around, one man pulled out a gun and shot the boy in the head. Milton recognized the man as the leader of a feared gang. That man and a few of his followers ran up to Milton and threatened to kill him too. They let him go with a warning. “You didn’t see anything.”

Each year at Law & Disorder CVLS honors the volunteers who make our good work possible. Our volunteers spend nights and weekends working with clients and they take time out of their busy workday to help someone who cannot afford a lawyer obtain access to justice. Every year thousands of attorneys help low income Chicagoans resolve their legal problems, for free, because they believe it is the right thing to do.

When families face legal issues children are the ones most negatively affected, and this is especially true for those in low-income families. Enter CVLS’ Child Rep Program! Through this venture, CVLS works to connect pro bono attorneys to children in need of representation. Integral to this process is Child Rep Coordinator, Miriam Araya.

Congratulations to Kim Halvorsen, of Clifford Law Offices, Eddie Houlihan, of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, Steve Raminiak, of Law Offices of Steve Raminiak, P.C. Dan Spira, of Sidley Austin LLP, Joe Tylutki of KEW Group and Bryan Webster of Reed Smith. Each were reelected for another three-year term on CVLS’ Board of Directors. Thank you to retiring board members Heidi Rowe and Jon Theobald for their board service.