Hello!

Fall is on the horizon — which means it’s nearly time to Celebrate Pro Bono! Coordinated by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Pro Bono Week is intended to inspire even greater pro bono participation by lawyers across the country. In 2025, Pro Bono Week will be celebrated from October 19th to October 25th and PILI is organizing a variety of events across Illinois around and during that week through our Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees.  We hope you’ll join us to celebrate! Learn more about what we’re planning »

And what better way to celebrate pro bono than to do some pro bono! We also have several pro bono opportunities through which you can contribute your time and talent. Whether you’re seasoned in pro bono work or looking to get involved for the first time, there’s something for everyone!

In addition to our Pro Bono Week festivities, we also have other upcoming events, programming and clinics. 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

• PILI Welcomes New Members to its Board of Directors
  We are excited to welcome four distinguished leaders to our Board of Directors: Barbara Bertini of Legal Aid Chicago, Julian Dibbell of Mayer Brown LLP, Brandon Peck of Peck Ritchey, LLC, and Elise Tincher of the University of Chicago Law School. Each brings unique expertise and a deep commitment to advancing equal access to justice. Read more »

• Introducing the New Chair of PILI’s Young Professionals Board
  With the start of the new fiscal year, Anthony M. Lewis of Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit has stepped into the role of Chair of PILI’s Young Professionals Board (YPB). He is joined by Brandon Knop of Molson Coors as Chair-Elect and Cara Lawson of Steptoe LLP as Vice Chair. Together, they will continue to grow PILI’s YPB and strengthen its impact through events and community engagement. Read more »

• Alumni Network Leadership Council Welcomes New Chair
  Kimberly Mills of the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender has been named Chair of PILI’s Alumni Network Leadership Council for 2025-2026. Along with Chair-Elect Casey Nelson and Vice Chair McKenna Deutsch, Kim looks forward to engaging PILI Alumni and fostering meaningful connections that support PILI’s mission. Read more »

• Funding 80 Law Student Interns in 2025-2026
  This year, PILI will provide $442,000 in grants to fund 80 Law Student Interns at 33 public interest law agencies across Illinois. These Interns will gain invaluable experience while expanding access to justice for underserved communities. PILI remains proud to support the next generation of public interest leaders through this program. Read more »

• Welcoming Joshua Blubaugh-Perez to PILI 
  We are delighted to introduce Joshua Blubaugh-Perez as PILI’s new External Relations Manager. Joshua brings a wealth of experience in public service, nonprofit leadership, and external engagement. In this role, he will oversee fundraising, development, and communications to further advance PILI’s mission. Read more »

• Meet PILI’s Fall Semester 2025 Law Student Interns 
  This fall, 11 PILI Law Student Interns will provide over 2,200 hours of legal services at agencies across Illinois. In addition to their hands-on work, Interns will benefit from supplemental educational and networking opportunities. We are excited to see the impact this talented group will make during their semester of service. Read more »

• Join us for PILI's Illinois Forum on Pro Bono
  Join us on November 12th from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the CBA for PILI’s annual Illinois Forum on Pro Bono at the Chicago Bar Association. This complimentary in-person program brings together a cross-section of pro bono leaders and offers Illinois MCLE credit, with a networking reception to follow. Learn more and register here »

• Calling All Law Students Interested in Public Interest Law
  Join us for Explore the Possibilities: Public Interest Law Program for Law Students in St. Louis on September 27th and Chicago on October 18th. This free program is for law students who are interested in learning more about opportunities as volunteers, interns, externs, fellows or staff in the public interest law sector. Learn more and register here »

Other Upcoming Programs & Events

• September 19th - Fall Intern Seminar: Connecting Empathetically and Effectively with Clients
• September 26th - Volunteer Opportunity: Peoria Expungement Clinic
• September 27th - Explore the Possibilities: Public Interest Law Program for Law Students – St. Louis
• October 15th - Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
• October 16th - NIU Illinois Free Legal Answers Clinic & Happy Hour
• October 17th: Fall Intern Seminar: Big Beautiful Bill: Assessing the Impact on our Client Communities
• October 18th - Explore the Possibilities: Public Interest Law Program for Law Students, Chicago
• October 20th - Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
• October 21st - Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon
• October 22nd - Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
• October 23rd - Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
• October 30th - Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Happy Hour
• November 4th - First Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Happy Hour
• November 12th - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Negotiation Training for Legal Aid and Pro Bono Attorneys, Part 2
• November 12th - PILI Illinois Forum on Pro Bono
• November 13th - Second Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Dinner
• November 14th - Client Sign Up: Free Wills & Power of Attorney Legal Clinic for Veterans & Seniors in Granite City
• November 14th - Volunteer Sign Up: Wills & Power of Attorney Legal Clinic for Veterans & Seniors in Granite City
• December 10th - Annual Awards Luncheon