Join us at PILI's Alumni Reception at The Gage from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 10th. All of PILI's supporters and friends are welcome to join us to welcome the newest class of Interns and Fellows to our Alumni Network at this event. Get your tickets today and join us in celebration!

PILI’s Law Student Internship and Graduate Fellowship Programs remain at the center of our work and provide a start for a new generation of lawyers to learn about and commit to public interest law and pro bono service while remaining connected to PILI and the public interest law community through our Alumni Network. Through our Pro Bono Program, we continue to increase the availability of pro bono legal help across Illinois for those who cannot afford an attorney. In short, we strive to build and support A Community of Service across Illinois. None of this would be possible without you – our community of supporters. Will you help our Community of Service thrive by making a donation today?

We are also planning CLE programs, pro bono clinics and our Intern & Fellow Summer Educational Seminar Series. Details are below and you can always find a list of upcoming events on our website. We hope to see you over the next month!

Sincerely,

The Staff at PILI

News & Updates

• Volunteers needed for Bloomington Legal Advice Fair. Join us at the Mid Central Community Action in Bloomington on Saturday September 23rd from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to answer questions and provide advice to those with legal needs who cannot afford a lawyer. Breakfast will be provided. Learn more and sign up to volunteer here »

• Join us for the Law Firm Pro Bono Roundtable. The Law Firm Pro Bono Roundtable brings together law firm pro bono leaders to discuss pro bono opportunities and challenges and to share best practices and strategies for successful pro bono programs. Learn more and register here »

• PILI Announces its Summer 2023 Honorary, Memorial and Named Interns. This summer, 27 Law Student Interns hold Honorary, Memorial or Named Internship positions. These Internship positions are created and funded by those dedicated to public interest law service to help communities in need. Learn more about our Summer 2023 Honorary, Memorial and Named Interns here »

• PILI has received renewed funding from several funders. These funders included the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, Francis Beidler Foundation, Illinois Access to Justice, Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network, and the Jerome Mirza Foundation. We would like to thank them and are so grateful for their continued support of PILI. Read more here »

• PILI's Educational Seminar Series is Open to All Public Interest Law Interns/Externs/Volunteers! These weekly lunchtime seminars focus on substantive legal topics, career development strategies and skill building relevant to public interest law. Programs for the rest of the summer will be offered only virtually. Learn more and sign up to receive reminders for individual seminars here »

• July 19th - Summer Educational Seminar Series: Post-Grad Fellowships: From Pipe Dream to Project in Action
• July 27th - Summer Educational Seminar Series: PILI- funded Intern Evaluation Session
• August 2nd - American Constitution Society's Annual Supreme Court Term in Review
• August 3rd - Summer Educational Seminar Series: Hot Topics in Legal Aid
• August 8th - Summer Educational Seminar Series: Incorporating Pro Bono Into Your Career
• August 10th - PILI Alumni Reception: Welcoming the Newest Class of Interns & Fellows
• September 12th - Law Firm Pro Bono Roundtable
• September 23rd - Eleventh Judicial Circuit Legal Advice Fair – Volunteers Needed
• October 18th - Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Week Dinner
• October 23rd - Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
• October 24th - Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon
• December 6th - Annual Awards Luncheon

At PILI, we believe that equal access to justice is a fundamental right. The legal community - law students, lawyers, judges and other legal professionals - have an ethical obligation to ensure this right is accessible for people with unmet legal needs. And we all know that we work best when we work together. That's why PILI’s theme for 2023 is A Community of Service. Check out our new video about this theme.