Meet Michelle
Patterson, our
new Director of Development!
Michelle has worked in nonprofit development and communications for more than 15 years.
Starting at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago in 2006, Michelle has grown her skills at many organizations, including Casa Central, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and Heartland Alliance Health.
Most recently, Michelle served as the Development Director at Deborah’s Place, a position she held for more than six years. As the new Director of Development at CARPLS, she brings more than 10 years’ experience in building strong development teams, growing individual giving, working with Board members and volunteers, event planning and producing effective fundraising communications.
What interests you about legal aid?
I actually have a background in legal services going back to my dad. He was an attorney, and he loved practicing law. He had his own practice and chose the kinds of cases and projects he wanted to work on. Late in his career, he focused on elder law because he saw how many elderly people were taken advantage of by their families. He wanted to protect them. Even though I didn’t go into law myself, I worked with him even as a kid, helping him prepare for seminars, drafting documents and generating his billing. This work prepared me for many years spent as a legal secretary. While that wasn’t my calling, I still have a great respect for the law and believe everyone is entitled to competent legal representation.
