Chicago, IL (Law Firm Newswire) February 20, 2019 - The Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) Board of Directors and staff welcomed their new Executive Director, Elizabeth Evans, to the organization on January 14, 2019.

Elizabeth is a seasoned and savvy nonprofit executive and an experienced lawyer. Elizabeth served in the Enforcement Division of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for eight years, was a staff attorney in the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, and worked as a policy analyst in Washington, D.C., before attending law school.

ILAO is an award-winning nonprofit that uses technology to lower barriers to the law so that people can understand their legal options, make informed decisions, and represent themselves in court when they cannot afford a lawyer. “ILAO is going to undertake significant growth based on advances in machine learning, AI , and other technology,” said Paul Seeman, Board Chairperson. “We will seize the opportunity to lead another transformation in access to justice and extend the capacity of legal services. We’re delighted to have Elizabeth lead our drive toward increasing access to justice for low and moderate income people and families.”

Elizabeth has successfully launched numerous social enterprises and led innumerable policy campaigns on topics that make our country better, fairer, and more just. She previously served as the Executive Director of Bluestem Communications, The VIVA Project (a teacher leadership network working on K-12 education policy), and the Illinois Network of Charter Schools. She established and ran the government relations and nonprofit resource center for the IFF and worked at the Child Welfare League of America in Washington, D.C.

“I am delighted to join the team and entirely impressed with the groundbreaking work ILAO has done to expand legal services’ capacity. I am anxious to join our colleagues in helping improve outcomes and access to the civil justice system,” said Ms. Evans.

About Illinois Legal Aid Online

Since 2001, ILAO has improved the lives of millions of people by connecting them to the resources they need to resolve their legal problems. ILAO puts the law within reach for all Illinois residents, regardless of their location, income, and education, by simplifying our complex legal system and connecting people to legal information and assistance on ILAO’s innovative statewide website, IllinoisLegalAid.org.