Susan B. Shulman
Executive Director
Susan B. Shulman has spent her career advancing access to justice through leadership roles in public interest law, private practice, and the business sector. As Executive Director of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC), she has led the organization's growth into a leading provider of free legal services for low-income and at-risk individuals and families throughout Lake County and north suburban Cook County.
Under Susan's leadership, NSLAC has expanded its reach, services, and impact while building a multidisciplinary team of attorneys, social workers, and professional staff dedicated to providing trauma-informed legal representation in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration law. She is recognized for her strategic vision, commitment to innovation, and dedication to expanding access to justice for underserved communities.
Before joining NSLAC, Susan served as General Counsel and Director of Operations at Metrist Partners. Prior to that, she was Pro Bono Initiative Director at the Public Interest Law Initiative, where she partnered with more than 70 law firms and corporations to increase participation in pro bono legal services. Her leadership resulted in significant growth in pro bono engagement and helped establish Chicago's first pro bono partnerships between law firms and in-house legal departments, creating new pathways to serve individuals with unmet legal needs.
A lifelong advocate for equity, Susan has dedicated much of her career to advancing opportunities for women in the legal profession and expanding access to justice for underserved communities. In recognition of her leadership and impact, she received the Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women Founder's Award.
Susan earned her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and holds a B.A. in Economics from Brandeis University.
Richard Hillsberg
General Counsel
Richard Hillsberg is Of Counsel at Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit and concentrates his practice in commercial litigation, mechanics lien foreclosures, bankruptcy, and insolvency solutions. Prior to settling in the Chicagoland area, Richard served as an Army Judge Advocate officer at 5th Army Headquarters, where among other duties he was a Military Judge and the 5th Army Legal Assistance Officer (1967-1971). Richard has been a partner with the law firm of Zissman and Hillsberg (1977-1983), a partner with the law firm of Tishler and Wald (1983-1995), and a principal of Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit (1995-2009). He also served as an interim trustee in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois (1980-1986). Richard earned a BS in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Georgetown University Law School. Richard has received an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell; their highest peer rating for ethical standards and professional ability. He served for over five years on the Highland Park Lake Front Commission, including two years as its Chairman. Richard served on the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic’s Board of Directors from 2015 to 2022 and has volunteered to be the NSLAC’s General Counsel, a position he has held since 2022.
Sally Pissetzky
Director of Domestic Violence Law Practice
Working in both private practice and public service, Sally Pissetzky has spent much of her legal career serving clients, and managing, connecting, and fostering growth for individuals and organizations that assist underserved communities, with a focus on victims of domestic violence.
Sally has experience in family law, domestic violence law, criminal law, and other areas of law, both privately and through pro bono work. Her role as the Director of the Domestic Violence Law Practice was the next natural path in her career, fitting ideally with her passion to help victims of domestic violence, apply her knowledge in the field of domestic relations, and expand her commitment to leadership of others in legal services. Sally is an Adjunct Professor at her Alma Matter, the UIC School of Law (formerly the John Marshall Law School), teaching lawyering skills to first year law students.
Sally received her J.D. from University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly John Marshall Law School) and her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received a certificate in Divorce Mediation from the Northwestern University School of Professional Studies. She is a mom of two young boys who inspire her to be humble, kind, work hard, and better the world.
Nareen Kim
Director of Housing Law Practice and Managing Attorney
Nareen Kim is the Director of Housing Law Practice and Managing Attorney at North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC). With more than two decades of legal experience, Nareen leads the NSLAC's Housing Law Practice while providing organizational leadership and support across all practice areas.
Nareen focuses on all aspects of housing law, including private and subsidized eviction defense, housing choice voucher terminations, reasonable accommodations, and habitability and conditions issues. A steadfast advocate for individuals and families facing housing instability, she has been instrumental in expanding access to legal representation and protecting housing stability for low-income residents throughout the community.
As Managing Attorney, Nareen oversees attorney supervision, supports professional development, and helps ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services across the organization. She has played a key role in strengthening NSLAC's legal programs and advancing the the organization's mission of providing equal access to justice.
Prior to joining NSLAC, Nareen was a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services, where she represented low-income tenants facing eviction and the loss of housing subsidies. She also served as a staff attorney at Legal Aid Chicago, representing clients in family law, housing, employment, and consumer matters. Earlier in her career, Nareen worked as a criminal defense attorney with both the Lake County Public Defender's Office and the Evanston Community Defender Office.
Nareen earned her Juris Doctor from Northwestern University and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Lia Kim-Yi
Director of Immigration Law Practice
Lia Hyunji Kim-Yi is the Director of Immigration Law Practice at North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC), where she leads one of the region's largest nonprofit immigration legal teams. Since joining NSLAC in 2017, Lia has transformed and expanded the practice from two staff members to a multidisciplinary team of attorneys, Department of Justice accredited representatives, paralegals, and support staff dedicated to serving low-income immigrants and their families.
With nearly two decades of immigration law experience, Lia previously practiced immigration and nationality law for almost ten years at a Chicago-based immigration law firm. She has successfully represented clients before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and has argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Under Lia's leadership, NSLAC has significantly expanded access to immigration legal services through innovative community partnerships and outreach initiatives. She has established numerous off-site legal clinics in collaboration with community organizations, educational institutions, and local governments, bringing critical legal services directly into underserved communities. Lia has also led rapid-response efforts during times of crisis, including providing legal assistance related to humanitarian programs for Afghan, Ukrainian, Venezuelan, and other immigrant communities.
Beyond direct client representation, Lia has strengthened the broader immigration legal services network by spearheading NSLAC's participation in regional collaborations and developing mentoring and capacity-building initiatives that support other nonprofit immigration legal service providers.
Lia is an active leader in the legal community. She previously served as President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Korean American Bar Association and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She also regularly volunteers with the HANA Center Pro Bono Legal Clinic.
Lia earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly The John Marshall Law School) and her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Greg Davenport
Director of Development and Finance
Greg Davenport has dedicated his career to strengthening nonprofit organizations and expanding opportunities for the communities they serve. As Director of Development and Finance at the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC), Greg oversees the organization's fundraising, financial management, grant reporting, budgeting, and strategic development initiatives.
Since joining NSLAC in 2022, Greg has worked closely with the organization's leadership team, Board of Directors, donors, foundations, and government partners to strengthen the resources and infrastructure that support NSLAC's mission. His expertise in nonprofit management, financial stewardship, and relationship building has helped position the organization for continued growth and sustainability while expanding access to free legal services for low-income and at-risk individuals and families throughout Lake County and north suburban Cook County.
Prior to joining NSLAC, Greg served as Executive Director for the Gateway Region YMCA, where he spent seven years leading programs and operations that supported communities throughout the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. His nonprofit leadership experience also includes work in childcare, entrepreneurship education, and programs serving individuals with diverse abilities. Throughout his career, Greg has been driven by a commitment to building strong communities and creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive.
Greg earned a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Fontbonne University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from Rockhurst University.
Alyssa Knobel
Director of Communications and Government Relations
Alyssa Knobel is a communications and public affairs professional with more than 30 years of experience in strategic communications, marketing, government relations, public policy, and community engagement. She serves as Director of Communications and Government Relations for North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC), where she has played a key role in the organization's growth since its founding. Alyssa helped open the doors of NSLAC in 2015 as a volunteer and continues to lead the organization's communications, government relations, and advocacy efforts.
In addition to her work with NSLAC, Alyssa provides strategic communications consulting to government agencies and nonprofit organizations, with particular expertise in crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, and community relations. She has provided communications counsel during major community crises, including the Highland Park shooting.
Alyssa began her career in advertising at McCann-Erickson in New York City and BBDO Chicago before transitioning into public affairs and strategic communications. Throughout her career, she has worked with elected officials, government entities, and nonprofit organizations to advance public policy initiatives, strengthen community engagement, and build public trust.
A committed civic leader and volunteer, Alyssa served two terms on the Highland Park City Council and previously chaired the City's Business and Economic Development Commission. She co-founded the Highland Park Career Exploration Program, co-launched the Highland Park Business Summit, and created the Art at City Hall Program. She currently serves on the boards of the Highland Park Community Foundation and Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter and remains actively involved in numerous civic and philanthropic initiatives throughout the region.
In recognition of her decades of civic leadership and service, Alyssa received the Key to the City of Highland Park. She has also been honored with the Jack Blane Community Service Award from the Highland Park Community Foundation and was named a Director for Life by Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS).
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Boston University.