We said goodbye to Staff Attorney Will Ruffing in January. Will was a tremendous team member and vital in our quick response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We sat down with him to hear more about his time at LCBH and his advice for new attorneys interested in legal aid.
How long were you at LCBH, and in what roles?
I started at LCBH in September of 2020. I was a staff attorney throughout that time.
How did you connect with LCBH?
LCBH is an organization that prides itself on serving others and stepping up when people need them most; I always connected with LCBH on those values. So, when a job opened a few months after COVID began, it seemed like a great opportunity to help others in our community in need during a difficult time.
What does housing justice mean to you?
Housing that is safe, affordable, stable, and free of any discrimination or harassment.
Do you have any stories from your time at LCBH that resonate with you?
I really enjoyed meeting one of our former clients at our 40th Anniversary Celebration. We’ve been working remotely during my time at LCBH, and it was so inspiring to actually talk to and meet a client we were able to help out. More recently, we helped a Japanese-speaking tenant reach a settlement in the Early Resolution Program. The language barriers made negotiating and communication difficult at first, but the tenant went above and beyond to help make it all work, and eventually, the eviction was dismissed.
Do you have a favorite memory with the staff?
The 40th Anniversary Celebration this past year. It was the first major event during COVID, and we had most of our staff there. It was a great opportunity and time to connect with colleagues at LCBH and meet others involved throughout LCBH’s history.
What would you tell someone considering working with LCBH on staff, or as a volunteer or intern?
You should do it and you won’t regret it. You’ll be working side by side with others who care passionately about helping to better your community every day. The things you learn here, you’ll take with you everywhere else you go in life.
Will now serves as legal counsel at the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund. Congrats, Will!