Page 11 - Katten 2018 Pro Bono Annual Review
P. 11
Speaking of Chicago...
“ Katten’s grassroots method positively
affects pro bono work on several levels.
“ First, it is an excellent way to incentivize
attorneys to get involved in pro bono
projects, stick with them to completion
and come back again when the next
self-selected opportunity arises. Having
a personal investment in the work also
PROTECTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE motivates attorneys to bring their best
thinking and practice skills to the project.
Literally millions of Americans—men, women and chil- And not least, it is an excellent way for
dren—are victims of domestic abuse each year in the young attorneys to develop a sense of
United States. So, when one female victim prepared to control over their practice, which will
appear in domestic violence court this year, Commercial serve them well as seasoned attorneys
Finance associate Ian Todd saw his opportunity to help trying to shape their practice to be as
make a difference. They were introduced through the productive and impactful as it can be.
Domestic Violence Legal Clinic’s Pro Bono Project, “ The community of pro bono consumers
where Katten plays a signifi cant role in representing can only benefi t from the added enthusi-
victims of domestic violence in obtaining emergency orders asm and commitment displayed by the
of protection against their abusers. In this case, the attorneys when the projects refl ect the
woman and her three young children were under a serious attorneys’ personal interests
threat from the father. He was set to move the children and passions.”
to Indiana, three hours away. The mother was convinced
she would never see her children again and feared they
were at risk for abuse. Milton Wakschlag
Partner
After fi nding the father had supplied her with a false Chicago Pro Bono Chair
address, and that his cell phone was shut off and emails
were bouncing back as undeliverable, Ian fi led an emer-
gency motion, as concealment of minors is a recognized
form of abuse under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act.
With an order of protection in hand, Ian asked the local
sheriff if there were any homeless shelters in the Indiana
county to which the father had allegedly moved. Thank-
fully there was, and the sheriff was able to serve the
father, take custody of the children and reunite them
safely with their mother.
2018 PRO BONO ANNUAL REVIEW 9
