As we enter this season of gratitude and giving, we want to say "THANK YOU!" to all of our donors, volunteers, program participants, partners and friends. We also hope we can count on your support through two upcoming opportunities in this season of giving.

Giving Tuesday is just around the corner, coming up on December 3rd. Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Please consider donating and join us for Giving Tuesday to support PILI’s work to engage, inspire and empower 

those advancing equal access to justice in Illinois.

We are also officially counting down to PILI’s Annual Awards Luncheon on December 11th where we bring together the Illinois legal community every year to celebrate the very best aspects of the legal profession. At this event, we will honor four award recipients for their efforts and dedication to pro bono and public interest law service in their communities. We are very thankful for our generous sponsors, including our Executive Level Sponsors: Chapman and Cutler LLP, Deere & Company, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, McDermott Will & Emery, Sidley Austin LLP and Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP. Tickets are now available for purchase and we hope you will join us!

Learn more about our upcoming events and news below. You can also find a list of upcoming events on our website. We hope to see you over the next month and wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

The Staff at PILI

Join Us for PILI's Annual Awards Luncheon!

PILI’s Annual Awards Luncheon brings together the Illinois legal community every year to celebrate the very best aspects of the legal profession. This event is PILI’s largest annual fundraiser, providing critical support for our work across Illinois. At this event, we will also be honoring the recipients of PILI's Annual Awards. Join us in celebration on Wednesday, December 11th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.



Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Learn more about sponsoring the Annual Awards Luncheon here. You may also contact PILI's Executive Director Michael Bergmann by email or at 312-832-5129.Learn More

News & Updates

PILI to recognize Four Award Recipients at this year's Annual Awards Luncheon. PILI Alums Martin H. Cozzola of Impact for Equity and Priya Desai of Mayer Brown LLP, along with Barry C. Taylor formerly of Equip for Equality and Chapman and Cutler LLP will be recognized for their exemplary efforts and dedication to pro bono and public interest law service. Learn more about them here »

Thank You for a Successful Pro Bono Week 2024! Over the last month, PILI celebrated with a variety of events as well as by doing pro bono at clinics across the state. Thanks to our pro bono volunteers, more than 70 questions were answered on Illinois Free Legal Answers as part of the celebration. PILI also recognized 10 attorneys and volunteers for their outstanding pro bono service. Learn more here »

Register for the Final 2024 Installment of the Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series. Our last Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series program of the year is, "Family Law FAQ: Navigating Common Family Law Issues Through Illinois Free Legal Answers." Join us by Zoom for this free CLE program from 12:00 to 1:00 pm on November 19th. Register now »

Intern & Fellow Application System Now Open! Agencies are still hiring Law Student Interns for Spring Semester 2025. 2L and 1L law students can also now apply for Summer 2025 Law Student Internships. And those interested in Graduate Fellowships next summer can apply now as well. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all agencies have completed their hiring. Learn more here »

If you want to be involved in empowering those advancing equal access to justice in Illinois, here are a few ways that you can join us in our work:

• Support the Giving Tuesday Campaign with a donation on or before December 3rd;
• Share your own photo and quote about what PILI means to you and tag PILI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram; or
• Learn about all the ways to get involved and support PILI.

Other Upcoming Programs & Events

• November 19th - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Family Law FAQ: Navigating Common Family Law Issues Through Illinois Free Legal Answers
• December 11th - Annual Awards Luncheon
• April 16th - Arcade for Legal Aid
• June 25th - Annual Pro Bono Reception

Volunteer Spotlight

Akwei O Acquaye 

Aly Audy 

Reuben A Bernick 

Christine M Bewley 

Billie J Constant 

Mark A Drummond 

Rebecca A Fabian 

Anthony Frank

Laura Gastel 

Sara Ghadiri 

Mitch Gilfillan 

Matthew Gubernikoff 

David Gui 

Rich Haglund

Harold B Hilborn 

Douglas C Johnson

Karen L Kapela 

Jennifer Kincaid 

Carson M Klarck 

Benjamin Levine 

Steven C Lindberg

Christopher Murphy 

Barbara J O’Brien 

Kyle A Peterson

Natanya Pope-Sohel 

Maria R Rossi 

Jonah O Roth 

Maxwell Sharkey 

Angelica Wawrzynek 

David S Yen 

Thanks to all of our volunteers, over 350 civil legal questions were answered to help those in need just in the month of October.