CGLA's Board of Directors appointed Rob Acton to serve as Executive Director in March 2004, bringing him to Chicago from New York City where he served youths from Harlem and Brooklyn for six years with Legal Outreach, Inc.  Rob also served as a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society's Juvenile Rights Division in Brooklyn, representing children and youth in child protective and juvenile delinquency proceedings.  During his tenure as Executive Director, CGLA's staff, board, donors and volunteers have pursued a bold vision for increased societal impact by expanding seven fold the number of individuals served and doubling the size of CGLA's fulltime staff.

Rob serves on the Board of Directors of Illinois Legal Aid Online and on the Advisory Board of North Park University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management.  Rob also teaches nonprofit management as an adjunct faculty member at the School of Business and Nonprofit Management at North Park University.  Rob founded and leads the Executive Directors' Roundtable, a group of 17 nonprofit CEOs who meet every other month for professional and personal support while creating a forum to share best practices. He formerly served as both Vice Chair and Legislative Liaison for the Chicago Bar Association's Legal Aid Committee and also served as Co-Chair of the 2007 Pro Bono Week for the Chicago Bar Association. He formerly served on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Spring Arbor University.

Rob earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and B.A. in Philosophy and Religion from Spring Arbor University. He attends LaSalle Street Church and is an avid listener of "This American Life" on National Public Radio.

Darryl Apperton, a seasoned family law attorney in Chicago, re-joined CGLA's staff in September of 2006 as the Director of Family Law.  Darryl served as Supervising Attorney at CGLA from 1994 to 2001, practicing in both our Housing and Family Law Programs.  In 2001, Darryl left CGLA to open a private family law practice and serve as the Clinic Director of the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic at the Northern Illinois University - College of Law.  After three years serving in that capacity and three years as a solo practitioner in family and housing law, Darryl has returned to CGLA to rededicate his talents to public interest law.

John Benson’s first experience with CGLA was as a law student intern from 1987-1989. He worked under CGLA’s long-time Executive Director and Founder, Chuck Hogren. John graduated from Northern Michigan University with a B.A. in English Literature and Philosophy in 1982 and from DePaul University College of Law in 1989. After finishing law school, John was hired in the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender and worked there for 12 years, until 2002, when he joined CGLA. As a Public Defender, John worked on traffic, misdemeanor, appellate and felony cases. When John left the Public Defender’s office he was working largely on felony cases, including murder and capital murder. John now directs CGLA's criminal defense program.

Maggie Devany began working at CGLA in August of 2005 as a full-time volunteer through the Amate House program, serving as the Volunteer Coordinator.  In September of 2006, she began her new position as CGLA's Operations Manager and Development Officer.  Maggie currently serves as the agency's Director of Operations.  She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Law and a minor in Theological Studies.

Andy Dougherty began working at CGLA in the summer of 2004 as a law student intern for Christine Farrell. In September 2005, Andy became a full-time staff attorney at CGLA, providing oversight for the Housing Law program. Andy graduated from the University of Dayton with bachelor degrees in History and English in 1999. In the spring of 2005, Andy graduated from Loyola University Chicago, School of Law. While in law school, Andy worked as a staff writer for the Public Interest Law Reporter, and wrote a number of articles on recent developments in housing and constitutional law within the public interest field.

Marissa Gonda joined CGLA in September 2007 after graduating from the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law.  She also holds bachelors degrees in psychology and political science from the University of Illinois ('04).  Marissa received the 2007 Irmas Fellowship, funded by long-time USC public interest supporters Sydney and Audrey Irmas, which provides one year's salary for a graduate embarking on a career of public service.  She also received USC's Miller Johnson Equal Justice Award, given to a graduating student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving underrepresented communities.  While in law school Marissa was an intern at both Public Counsel Law Center and the Los Angeles County Public Defender.  She was also part of USC's Post Conviction Justice Project, which gave her the opportunity to represent battered women in parole hearings and post-conviction matters.  Marissa went to law school with a passion for criminal defense work and a commitment to serving impoverished communities.  She is thankful for the opportunity to do both through her work at CGLA.

Dierdre joined CGLA’s staff in the summer of 2002. As the first person clients meet when they contact CGLA for legal assistance, Dierdre’s welcoming manner establishes the personal touch that is so highly valued within our organization. Additionally, Dierdre coordinates CGLA's satellite intakes at St. Sabina Church on Chicago's south side. Before becoming a part of the CGLA team, Dierdre worked in retail store management and the nursing home industry. She has three children and actively serves as a parent representative for the local school council.

Beth Johnson serves as the director of CGLA’s Expungement, Sealing, and Clemency program. Beth graduated from DePaul University College of Law in 2005, and received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Iowa. Beth first came to CGLA as a summer intern in 2003, working in the Criminal Records Program. While in law school, Beth was active in the Public Interest Law Association, serving as President in 2004-05. Her legal experience includes the Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues, the DePaul Community Development Clinic, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Beth was recognized in 2005 at DePaul for her public interest work, and was the DePaul recipient of the ISBA Young Law Division Public Service Award and the National Association of Women Lawyers Award. In 2007, Beth received one of six Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) awards from DePaul University in recognition of her dedication to providing legal services to low-income and underserved individuals.   

Joyce Lucas joined CGLA in March of 2006 as its first full-time social worker. She is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University, and has experience working with many different populations. Joyce has managed a real estate law office, done bookkeeping for several organizations and, before joining CGLA, served at the Cook County Bureau of Health Services connecting newly identified and former HIV/AIDS patients to medical care. Joyce came to CGLA because of the commitment to providing not only legal services, but the dedication to see a positive change in all areas of their clients’ lives. She is also especially fond of the area in which CGLA is located, having grown up in Cabrini Green and currently serving as a ministry leader of Living Faith Church in the community.

Kate Sharkey joined CGLA's family law program in March 2007.  Prior to law school, she worked for three years as a full-time child welfare specialist with Catholic Charities in Chicago. Kate was also a legal intern at the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian and a social work intern at Legal Aid Society in Milwaukee. Since joining CGLA, Kate has won two contested custody trials and has achieved positive outcomes through pretrial litigation and settlement for many clients.

Kate is a member of the Chicago Bar Association (Domestic Relations Committee) and the Illinois State Bar Association (Family Law Section).  She is a mentor to a local high school student through the Young Lawyers’ Section of the Chicago Bar Association.  In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time outdoors with her family.
 

Tim came to CGLA through his involvement at the ministries of LaSalle Street Church.  Hired part-time late in 2005, Tim came on board full-time as the Director of Development in November of 2006.  A graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy, Tim sees his job as finding that sweet spot where the work of CGLA and the compassion of the community come together to promote justice in the lives of the most vulnerable among us.