55+ Years
of Pro Bono Civil Legal Aid
With more than 58 years of experience, CVLS is the first and pre-eminent pro bono civil legal aid provider in Chicago. Thanks to over 2,300 volunteer attorneys CVLS provides the most comprehensive, efficient and cost-effective civil legal aid in Chicago.
History
Founded June 2, 1964
CVLS was founded in 1964 by a group of young attorneys who recognized that access to justice was a far cry away for many Chicagoans. For more than 58 years CVLS has remained the first and pre-eminent pro bono civil legal aid provider in Chicago. Thanks to more than 2,300 volunteer attorneys and a low per-case cost, CVLS provides the most comprehensive and cost-effective civil legal aid in Chicago.
FOUNDER
John Ferren
“I hope you will feel free to refer to us clients who need legal advice and do not appear able to afford legal counsel. Perhaps through such referral, you can help us bring some measure of justice to situations in which the poor man otherwise would have no resource.”