Center for Disability & Elder Law

Center for Disability & Elder Law

CDEL provides quality pro bono legal services to Cook County, Illinois low-income seniors and adults with disabilities.

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) was founded in 1984 with the mission of providing legal services to low-income residents of Cook County, Illinois who are elderly or have permanent disabilities. The organization addresses the significant need for legal representation in this demographic, as studies show that over 80% of low-income individuals struggle to access legal assistance, and those living in poverty are likely to encounter at least one legal problem annually.

The demand for legal services among this group has surged in the last decade and is expected to continue growing, particularly with the projected doubling of the United States' over-65 population by 2030 and the anticipated substantial increase in individuals affected by disabilities. This trend is noticeable at both the national and local levels, including in Cook County.

CDEL relies on the dedication of volunteer attorneys from prominent law firms in Chicago and across Cook County, along with paralegals, to contribute over 90% of the legal services it offers pro bono to its clients. By handling the screening, file management, initiative coordination, and volunteer training, CDEL's staff enables the attorneys to focus on delivering direct legal services. The organization also strongly encourages the involvement of newly-licensed attorneys, paralegals, law students, and interns to foster their commitment to pro bono public interest law early in their careers.

Industries: Legal Tech, Social Media

Headquarter: United States

Last Investment: N/A

Last Investment Investors: N/A