Julianna Padilla

Greater Chicago Legal Clinic attorneys are passionate, community-based advocates who are devoted to helping underrepresented families and individuals navigate the justice system. Everyone involved with the Clinic—attorneys, board members, staff members, law students, volunteers—works to realize a shared goal: that all people in the Chicago area have equal access to quality legal representation, regardless of income or background. Recognizing that most working-class families do not have sufficient resources to hire private attorneys, GCLC provides a sliding-scale fee approach that provides access to justice for disadvantaged individuals and families, even if they do not qualify for pro bono legal aid. This unique approach allows GCLC clients to resolve their legal disputes and get back to what matters most to them—regardless of their ability to pay. Our attorneys are known for their compassionate but zealous advocacy, their accessibility to clients regardless of their English-speaking proficiency, and their dedication to relentlessly pursuing successful outcomes for our clients. We are there for our clients when they need us, filling the socioeconomic and geographic gaps left by our peers. Through our efforts and outreach, GCLC has been able to assist hundreds of thousands of clients in our Chicagoland neighborhoods, restoring hope and providing stability to our most vulnerable communities.