Founder & CEO | Joan D. Clay, Esq.

Joan D. Clay, Esq., is the founder and CEO of The Village Legal and Community Project. Joan has devoted half of her legal career to public interest law, utilizing her expertise to make the legal system more accessible to those who need it most.

A Chicago native, Joan holds a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism from Loyola University Chicago and earned her J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy. Since becoming a licensed attorney in 2004, she has been in private practice, academia and nonprofit roles.



When COVID-19 hit in 2020, she took a step back to reflect on her purpose, and The Village Legal and Community Project was born. Today, The Village provides critical legal support for individuals facing issues such as evictions, sealing and expungement, parenting time, and child support. The Village also provides free programming to entrepreneurs and youth (entrepreneurship and job readiness).

Joan deeply believes in breaking cycles, creating economic opportunities, and training the next generation of attorneys who will keep the door open for those who need it most.

Paralegal | A’Janae Williams

A’Janae Williams received her B.A. from Emory University in 2020 with a major in Sociology and a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and earned her J.D. from the University of Illinois School of Law.

While in law school, A’janae worked as a Student Worker at the school’s Pro Bono Litigation Clinic. She also completed an Externship at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where she also served as a Bar Taker Assistant. Prior to attending law school, Williams worked as a legal assistant.

A’Janae is a firm believer that everyone deserves access to justice. Born and raised in Chicago, she was drawn to The Village Legal and Community Project by the opportunity to serve the community that has helped shape who she is today. She is passionate about bringing justice to the place that she calls home.

Development Coordinator  | Marley Wiemers

Marley Wiemers graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, and a minor in Anthropology. She is passionate about supporting community-based organizations and leveraging strategic communications to advance social justice.

Her experience spans mission-driven communications work with nonprofits like the Gephardt Institute and academic institutions including Washington University School of Medicine. This background, combined with her social psychology research experience and commitment to community service, has equipped her to support The Village Legal Community Project's development initiatives. With aspirations to attend law school, Marley is passionate about working at the intersection of legal access and community development.

Intake Coordinator | Chethana Deeduvanu

Chethana Deeduvanu is currently enrolled at the Crown Family School at the University of Chicago, where she is completing her master’s degree in social work in the Transforming Justice and Violence Prevention pathway. Prior to this she graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, earning a B.A. with a major in Biology: Neuroscience and minor in Psychological & Brain Sciences.

Chethana was drawn to The Village Legal and Community Project by the work being done to go beyond the individual and address systemic barriers. She brings extensive experience in human services, most recently working as an Intern with the Federal Defender Program to connect participants to community resources, promote successful reentry, and reduce recidivism. Prior to this, she also acted as a Foster Care Case Manager and an Active Trainer with a peer counseling organization.

Through these experiences, Chethana has come to recognize the importance of approaching clients with empathy, while also recognizing the broader systems that impact people's lives.