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.
 CLEF also works to educate students, families, and community members about legal issues and rights. During open houses, volunteer groups of attorneys, law students, and high school students disseminate thousands of pamphlets and flyers on topics ranging from landlord tenant rights, immigration, foreclosure prevention, criminal rights, and more.
High School students have also run initiatives at the schools. For example, the Domestic Violence Initiative resulted in the training of teachers at Little Village to recognize and deal with domestic violence affecting students and families. The Undocumented Students Initiative focused on the rights and opportunities of undocumented students and families.
CLEF also does legal-oriented research projects. In 2011, CLEF researchers presented the paper "Racial Discrimination in Chicago: An Analysis of Online Racial Discrimination in Chicago's Rental Market" at the American Sociological Association Conference. The paper was also reviewed by the Attorney General's Office as well as Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky and her staff. The paper is available under Research and Publications.
CLEF is currently completing a study on undocumented youth and the Dream Act that will be available online here later this winter 2012.
Current Participating Schools: Roberto Clemente Community Academy
Farragut High School Edwin G. Foreman High School Hancock College Preparatory High School Thomas Kelly High School Kenwood Academy High School Little Village Lawndale High School Tilden Career Community Academy High School George Westinghouse College Prep CLEF is currently working and partnering with:
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
DePaul's Center for Public Interest Law Illinois Legal Aid Online The DePaul Immigration/Asylum Clinic
First Defense Legal Aid
Crossroads Fund Chicago Police Department's Juvenile Records Office
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