We’ve Moved!

GCLC Opens New and More Accessible Downtown Headquarters

In August 2021, Greater Chicago Legal Clinic (GCLC) officially moved to a new office at 17 North State Street, Chicago, Illinois.

"The move is a key part of the implementation of our strategic plan," said the Clinic's Executive Director, Adam Salzman.

In 2019, Clinic leadership conducted a strategic planning process. As a result of that work, the Clinic became Greater Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc. The addition of “Greater” to the name acknowledges a broadening geographic scope, a process which has been happening organically for several years. At the same time, multiple offices were combined into one headquarters to conserve resources and facilitate staff collaboration.

The COVID pandemic and its resulting stay-at-home orders and court closures required Clinic attorneys to quickly pivot to remote service. Although this change was initially disruptive, it provided an opportunity for Clinic leadership to study what was really needed for a physical office space.

“We realized that we can actually function better with a smaller office footprint, and at the same time, be responsible stewards of Clinic resources,” Salzman said.

GCLC's Director of Operations, Ariel Valdes, spoke to the benefits of the new location.

“[The Clinic] is much more conveniently located to public transportation. All of the major CTA train lines have a stop within a block of the office, making it accessible from all over Chicagoland. Furthermore, we are now only a few blocks away from Chicago's circuit and federal courts.”

Salzman emphasized that, while the new offices will be the headquarters for business and logistics, Clinic staff will continue to serve clients in their neighborhoods.

“We are community justice advocates at heart,” he said. “So, while it is important for us to be near the downtown courts, we are actively working on ways to increase our presence in the neighborhoods we serve.”

While the ongoing pandemic continues to keep some GCLC programs offered through remote service, we work hard to safely meet with clients in person.

These changes come as the Clinic celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

“2021 is a defining milestone in the organizations' history,” Salzman continued. “GCLC continues to evolve and grow, even as we begin our fifth decade of providing affordable, high-quality legal services for the most underserved populations in Chicagoland.”