The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Housing Law Practice Attorney Kevin Sheehan and Immigration Law Practice Law Clerk Belany Contreras.
Kevin Sheehan is a staff attorney driven by community-based advocacy and seeking the best possible results for low-income clients with our housing law practice. He brings not-for-profit legal aid experience in community outreach and as a housing staff attorney. Kevin has also worked as legal counsel to the Illinois Senate President and has experience advising and crafting policies focusing on racial equity and justice. He is dedicated to helping others. He has provided pro bono services to Equip for Equality and has served on the American Cancer Society Associate Board of Ambassadors.
Kevin received his J.D. from the DePaul College of Law and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Dayton.
Belany Contreras was born in Mexico and was one of the first in her family to come to the U.S. She has always been passionate about helping the community and individuals in need. Her own immigrant experience inspired her to study law to become an immigration lawyer. She has worked as an intern and volunteer at multiple non-profit organizations including the Greater Chicago Legal Clinic and Instituto del Progreso Latino. During law school, Belany worked as a student attorney at the Community Enterprise and Solidarity Economy Clinic. While working there, she worked with immigrant entrepreneurs.
Belany received her J.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law. She received her B.A. from Lake Forest College, where she majored in Latin American Studies and double-minored in Social Justice and Legal Studies.
“There continues to be an uptick in cases in our law practice areas. The addition of highly qualified attorneys and staff supports NSLAC’s mission of providing accessible, quality, free legal services in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration to give those in need of access to justice the opportunity to live productive and secure lives,” said Executive Director Susan Shulman. “Access to justice is a human right and these talented individuals deeply understand the work that we do to provide it.”
