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Robert B. Acton, Executive Director
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 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.
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Darryl Apperton, Staff Attorney, Family Law
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.
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John Benson, Staff Attorney, Criminal Defense
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.
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Marissa Claxon, Staff Attorney, Criminal Defense
Marissa Claxon joined CGLA in September 2007 after graduating from the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law. She also holds a 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 Audry 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.
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Andy Dougherty, Staff Attorney, Housing Law
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.
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Paul Haidle, Staff Attorney, Expungement, Sealing & Clemency
Paul Haidle began working at CGLA in January of 2007 while a law student at Chicago Kent College of Law. In 2008, Paul transitioned to a full-time staff attorney at CGLA, working in the Expungement, Sealing & Clemency program . Paul handles criminal records hearings, executive clemency petitions, and oversees the Expungement Help Desk at the Daley Center in Chicago. Last year, the Expungement Help Desk advised over 4,000 people on expunging and sealing their records. Paul graduated cum laude from Wheaton College in 2002 with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences.
Prior to law school, Paul worked in the environmental field. His research on global warming was published in the Journal of Climate and was even cited by Judge Posner. Paul is active in the Lawyers in the Classroom program, teaching Chicago Public Schools students about the law and legal careers. Paul enjoys nature and spends many weekends searching for the perfect fly-fishing spot.
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JaShawn Hill, Office Manager
JaShawn Hill joined the CGLA family in August of 2007 as CGLA's receptionist. In 2008, with hard work and dedication to CGLA, she became our Office Manager. JaShawn comes to CGLA through The Cara Program, a job training and placement program. JaShawn has experience working in customer service in both Iowa and Chicago, and is eager to bring that experience to her position at CGLA. Most recently, JaShawn has enrolled in Harold Washington College to pursue a degree in Social Work. The inspiration to advance her education came from the vision of our organization. Our vision states that we want clients to leave us stronger than they came, and JaShawn is anxious to become an advocate for those who desire needs outside of their legal problems.
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Robert Hurley, Legal Director
Robert Hurley brings over 25 years of legal experience to his role as Legal Director of CGLA, the position to which he was appointed in February of 2009. He received his B.A. in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1977. Prior to entering law school, he was a community organizer in South Dakota and Arkansas. While attending the Columbia Law School in New York City, he was an intern at the Legal Aid Society in its housing law program. After receiving his degree from Columbia in 1981, Robert was a tenant union organizer for FHA Tenants United in Chicago before serving as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Public Interest Bureau of the Cook County State's Attorney’s Office for five years, where he handled child support and consumer fraud cases. Before joining CGLA, Robert was in private practice, concentrating in criminal defense and family law. He is admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, Ohio and New York, as well as the Federal Trial Bar (Northern District of Illinois). As Legal Director, Robert hopes to help lead CGLA in a new era of growth so that the organization may serve ever increasing numbers of individuals well into the 21st century and beyond.
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Beth Johnson, Staff Attorney, Expungement, Sealing & Clemency
Beth Johnson serves as the director of CGLA’s Expungement, Sealing & 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.
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Dierdre Johnson, Client Specialist/Executive Assistant
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.
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Kevin Krainz, Development and Operations Associate
Kevin re-joined the CGLA staff in January 2010 after a year of volunteer work in Northern Peru . As an Amate House Volunteer in 2008, he served as CGLA’s Volunteer Coordinator. A graduate of St. Norbert College (WI) with a B.A. in Philosophy, Kevin brings analytical skills and a fresh perspective to the development team. Kevin greatly admires the CGLA attorneys’ legal expertise and commitment to public service, and he plans to attend law school and follow a similar career path. In his free time, Kevin enjoys playing and coaching baseball.
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Shannon Murphy, Criminal Defense Attorney Fellow
Shannon Murphy joined Cabrini Green in November of 2009 as a Criminal Defense Attorney Fellow. Her primary focus is juvenile criminal defense work. Shannon graduated with High Honors from The University of Chicago Law School in June 2009 where she represented adolescents as part of the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic’s Juvenile Justice Project. Additionally, she assisted on various criminal matters as a summer associate at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago . Shannon graduated magna cum laude from Duke University in 2006 with a B.A. in History.
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Victoria Piehowski, Volunteer Coordinator
Originally from St. Paul, MN, Victoria came to CGLA in 2009 as a full-time volunteer from Amate House, a community organization which places college graduates at various non-profits in the Chicago area. Victoria took on the Volunteer Coordinator position after graduating from the College of St. Benedict with a double major in English Literature and Hispanic Studies. She is excited to enter the non-profit world and commit herself to CGLA’s guiding principles of compassion and service to the community. In her free time, Victoria dedicates herself to reading satire, writing, and participating in the community life that the Amate House organization offers.
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Kate Sharkey, Staff Attorney, Family Law
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. In addition to her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Kate graduated from Marquette University with a double major in Social Work and Spanish Language and Literature. Her background enhances CGLA's ability to serve our Spanish-speaking clients, while offering expertise in our unique model of client care. 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.
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Sarah Song, Housing Attorney Fellow
Sarah Song joined CGLA in September 2009 after graduating from Columbia Law School in New York City. Deferring her employment at Latham & Watkins, Sarah is joining the CGLA staff as an attorney fellow in the Housing Law Program. During law school, Sarah advocated for adolescents in the Child Advocacy Clinic and worked on housing issues at BPI (Business and Professional People for the Public Interest) and the Fair Housing Justice Center in New York City. Sarah graduated from Northwestern University in 2006 with a bachelor of arts in Economics and Psychology.
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Tim Wallace, Director of Development
Tim came to CGLA through his involvement with the ministries of LaSalle Street Church. Hired part-time to do fundraising in 2004, Tim was promoted to Director of Development in November of 2006. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in English (rhetoric) and a minor in Philosophy, Tim is fascinated by language and persuasion. He is thrilled to be able to use his skills in the service of justice and mercy and is deeply committed to CGLA’s mission and vision.
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Laura Zumdahl, Associate Executive Director
Laura Zumdahl began as CGLA's first Associate Executive Director in October 2007. She came to CGLA from working in social work education at Trinity Christian College, and she previously worked in child welfare at Bethany Christian Services in Wisconsin in both administrative and clinical roles. Since coming to CGLA Laura has worked to develop and implement new metrics to measure outcomes in CGLA's law and social work programs. Laura serves as a volunteer with Big Sisters, the United Way, and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Cook County. She is an adjunct faculty member at Trinity Christian College and a member of LaSalle Street Church. Laura earned her B.A. in sociology from Trinity Christian College and M.A. in social work with a concentration in nonprofit management from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in leadership at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. You'll frequently find her studying in coffee shops around the city.
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