To remove barriers to the availability and quality of legal services for low-income residents, the Trust created the Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services (CAFLS) in 1982. From 1982 until 2010, CAFLS worked to address unmet legal needs, like the special needs of client groups such as homeless youth and immigrants with HIV. Its grants promoted mediation and alternative methods of resolving disputes, as well as supporting ways to increase the pro bono contributions of lawyers and law firms. In 2007, CAFLS partnered with The Chicago Bar Foundation in the Advancing Justice grant program, maximizing grant dollars available to tackle issues of common concern.

In 2010, recognizing that the shared missions of CAFLS and The Chicago Bar Foundation could create further efficiencies, the CAFLS board voted to dissolve and create the Chicago Area Fund for Legal Assistance with the assets. Through this fund, The Chicago Bar Foundation will manage grant making to nonprofits that provide legal services, working closely with the staff of the Trust.