CBA Edward J. Lewis II Lawyers in the Classroom is an initiative of the CBA Media & Civic Education Program (the educational charity affiliated with the Chicago Bar Association).

CBA Media and Civic Education undertakes activities and initiatives related to legal and constitutional principles, violence prevention, and restorative justice. Lawyers in the Classroom depends on private donations to underwrite and broaden its programs to more classrooms. Your help at any level will make CBA's meaningful civic engagement work possible in public and private elementary schools around Chicago and Cook County.

Lawyers in the Classroom utilizes 600+ attorney volunteers in 2nd-8th grade classrooms to teach students an understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the nation's legal system through the Edward J. Lewis II Constitutional Law Curriculum. These lessons encourage students to think about law as a career and instill the importance of civic engagement. For many students, Lawyers in the Classroom is their first opportunity to meet a lawyer. Each team of lawyers who volunteer in one of 60+ schools develops a partnership with teachers in every classroom.

The Edward J. Lewis II Constitutional Law Curriculum is specially developed to meet students at their age and school level. Lessons cover the First Amendment's clauses, the Fourth Amendment, jury selection, the meaning of Reasonable Doubt, the concept of the letter of the law versus the intent of the law, and various landmark court cases. Currently, the program reaches more than 5,000 students annually.

To learn more about how you can support the program or volunteer, contact Tanya Pietrkowski at tanya@chicagobar.org or call (312) 554-2060.

CBA Edward J. Lewis II Lawyers In the Classroom Support Fund