211 Launches in Chicago, with firm’s pro bono support
News
February 10, 2023
A free new service is available for Chicagoans in need of social and health services. Jenner & Block’s pro bono partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago, including Andrew Vail’s role as pro bono General Counsel, assisted United Way’s collaboration and partnership with the City of Chicago and Cook County to bring 211 Metro Chicago to Chicagoland.
2-1-1, which connects individuals in need of assistance with guidance via phone, text, web chat, and online database search, is available 24/7 for all Cook County residents. 2-1-1 can help residents connect with a variety of resources such as food, housing, utility payment assistance, and other free-to-low-cost health and social services.
A team of lawyers from multiple practices has provided hundreds of hours of specialized work to assist United Way on issues including corporate formation and structure, government contracts, employment considerations, data/privacy counseling, vendor agreements, and governance, among other matters. And the work continues.
The team’s work is led by Partner Pete Rosenbaum, who has been working with Andrew and the United Way team for over a year on legal and related strategy in connection with the partnership to launch 211. That work has included significant contributions from Co-Managing Partner Randy Mehrberg (who also serves on the United Way Board); Partners Jeremy Casper, Kevin Collins, Shoba Pillay, David Robbins, Emma Sullivan, Anna Meresidis, Rob Rawn, and Sheila Kailus; Of Counsel Don Resnick; and Associates Abe Salander, Bill Erlain, Tyler Westrich, Solana Gillis, Jensen Troup, and Allyssa Milam. Senior Paralegal Mike Hughes supported the effort along with all of the firm’s United Way work.
211 Metro Chicago was launched on January 27, 2023, at a special press conference featuring Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, United Way of Metro Chicago President & CEO Sean Garrett, and attended by Andrew. The press conference was covered by Chicago local media.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
February 10, 2023
A free new service is available for Chicagoans in need of social and health services. Jenner & Block’s pro bono partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago, including Andrew Vail’s role as pro bono General Counsel, assisted United Way’s collaboration and partnership with the City of Chicago and Cook County to bring 211 Metro Chicago to Chicagoland.
2-1-1, which connects individuals in need of assistance with guidance via phone, text, web chat, and online database search, is available 24/7 for all Cook County residents. 2-1-1 can help residents connect with a variety of resources such as food, housing, utility payment assistance, and other free-to-low-cost health and social services.
A team of lawyers from multiple practices has provided hundreds of hours of specialized work to assist United Way on issues including corporate formation and structure, government contracts, employment considerations, data/privacy counseling, vendor agreements, and governance, among other matters. And the work continues.
The team’s work is led by Partner Pete Rosenbaum, who has been working with Andrew and the United Way team for over a year on legal and related strategy in connection with the partnership to launch 211. That work has included significant contributions from Co-Managing Partner Randy Mehrberg (who also serves on the United Way Board); Partners Jeremy Casper, Kevin Collins, Shoba Pillay, David Robbins, Emma Sullivan, Anna Meresidis, Rob Rawn, and Sheila Kailus; Of Counsel Don Resnick; and Associates Abe Salander, Bill Erlain, Tyler Westrich, Solana Gillis, Jensen Troup, and Allyssa Milam. Senior Paralegal Mike Hughes supported the effort along with all of the firm’s United Way work.
211 Metro Chicago was launched on January 27, 2023, at a special press conference featuring Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, United Way of Metro Chicago President & CEO Sean Garrett, and attended by Andrew. The press conference was covered by Chicago local media.
Related Lawyers
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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