Chicago Law and Education Foundation

CLEF mission is to operate and provide long-term support for legal clinics and legal educational initiatives in Chicago Public Schools. CLEF's long-term goal is to establish free legal clinics and relevant education programming in all Chicago Public High Schools, with access to those programs for their respective feeder elementary schools. By taking legal services to low-income communities using public schools, CLEF provides unique access to legal services to those who need them the most. 

The Chicago Law and Education Foundation was started in 2010 by teacher/attorney Dennis Kass. CLEF launched a pilot clinic at Little Village Lawndale High School during the 2009-2010 school year. The legal clinic was once a week after school. High school students helped operate the clinic, serving as initial intake, providing translation services for Spanish speaking clients, and working on the various initiatives. CLEF was formed to expand that legal program to other schools the following school year.