Practice resources

These resources are written for legal professionals doing legal aid or pro bono work. If you do not have legal training, they may be difficult to understand. Visit resources from the main menu for legal information written and designed for the public. Note: IICLE resources are only available to legal aid employees.

Law Practice Resources
Working with clients
(4 resources)
Working with difficult clients
A video by Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois for attorneys with practical tips for effectively working with difficult clients.
Video
Tips for pro bono volunteers: Effective client assistance
Explore helpful tips on issues pro bono volunteers may encounter when assisting low-income clients.
Text article
Limited scope representation toolkit for attorneys
A guide for attorneys who are licensed in Illinois and seeking to offer limited scope representation as one of their service offerings to potential clients.
Link
Elements of Illinois law: Practicing ethically
Learn about the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, how to structure office procedures, and how to recognize ethical issues. 2023 edition.
IICLE
View all
Law students
(3 resources)
711 temporary license
Information on the Illinois 711 License to provide certain legal services and how a law student may obtain it.
Text article
Law student pro bono
Describes pro bono work for law students with volunteer opportunities and resources.
Text article
Public interest career opportunities for law students
Explore information on internships, fellowships, and other opportunities for law students pursuing a public interest career.
Text article
Lawyering skills
(4 resources)
Illinois civil practice
Advanced content for lawyers. Information on Illinois Civil Procedure, from filing a complaint to post-trial motions to enforcement of judgments.
Text article
Department of Justice: human trafficking prosecution
A webpage from the US Department of Justice about human trafficking prosecutions, relevant case law, and resources.
Link
Planning the substance of your case
The American College of Trial Lawyers give advice to attorneys on how to build your argument in a case so that it is most persuasive.
Video
Laying Foundations for Introducing Evidence
A lawyer resource on introducing trial evidence, including how to lay proper foundations, handle objections, preserve the record, and best practices from judges and litigators.
IICLE
View all
Pro Bono
(4 resources)
Reporting pro bono and financial contributions
Discusses Supreme Court Rule 756(f) which requires attorneys in Illinois to report their pro bono hours and financial contributions to legal aid organizations.
Text article
Pro bono for retired, inactive, and out-of-state attorneys
Learn more about how retired, inactive status, and out-of-state attorneys can apply to provide pro bono services in Illinois.
Text article
Law student pro bono
Describes pro bono work for law students with volunteer opportunities and resources.
Text article
What work is 'pro bono'?
Describes what activities are considered pro bono legal services and which ones are just charitable acts.
Text article
View all
Professional responsibility
(3 resources)
What work is 'pro bono'?
Describes what activities are considered pro bono legal services and which ones are just charitable acts.
Text article
Attorneys' legal liability
Learn about Illinois attorneys' duties to clients, malpractice insurance, client trust accounts, and Rules of Professional Conduct. 2022 Edition.
IICLE
Elements of Illinois law: Practicing ethically
Learn about the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, how to structure office procedures, and how to recognize ethical issues. 2023 edition.
IICLE
Lawyer manuals
(4 resources)
Illinois Statutory Used Car Warranty
IL law on used car warranties
Lawyer Manuals
Illinois civil practice
Advanced content for lawyers. Information on Illinois Civil Procedure, from filing a complaint to post-trial motions to enforcement of judgments.
Text article
Special education procedures and meetings
Special education procedures and meetings
Lawyer Manuals
Divorce and parental responsibilities
Advanced level content. Information on dissolution, divorce, common-law marriage, separation, child support, custody, and visitation.
Text article
View all
Forms for lawyers
(1 resources)
SNAP benefits calculator for lawyers
This Easy Form helps legal aid advocates and pro bono lawyers estimate a household's SNAP benefits (food stamps).
Easy Form
IICLE Online Library
(4 resources)
Ward on title examinations: A companion volume
Manual on title including objections to title, descriptions, boundaries, conveyances, taxes, title searches, etc.
IICLE
Adult Guardianships, Advance Directives, and Mental Health Law
Explains mental health law, considerations, powers and duties of a guardian, and terminating and modifying guardianship. 2025 edition
IICLE
Eviction Actions
Manual on statutory indications for eviction actions. 2023 edition
IICLE
Juvenile law: Pre-delinquency and delinquency
A resource for lawyers on juvenile justice in Illinois, covering services for children, status offenses, diversion, transfer of jurisdiction, trials, sentencing, appeals, post-disposition review, and federal juvenile law.
IICLE
View all