PILI is excited to welcome Ivana Bailey-Muñoz and Claire Ramsey to our Alumni Network Leadership Council as the 2024 Intern and Fellow Alumni Representatives. Each year, PILI selects representatives from the most recent class of Interns and Fellows to serve on the Council for a two-year term.
Ivana is currently a 2L at Chicago-Kent College of Law and served as a 2024 PILI Law Student Intern at the ACLU of Illinois. Claire is an Associate at Sidley Austin LLP and was a PILI Graduate Fellow in 2024 at Ascend Justice.
Ivana Bailey-Muñoz
2L, Chicago-Kent College of Law
2024 Law Student Intern
What have you been up to since your PILI Law Student Internship concluded?
Since concluding my PILI Internship, I have had the honor of serving as a Torts Teaching Assistant for Professor Smith-Drelich. In this role, I mentor and provide academic support to approximately 70 first-year law students as they embark on their legal journey. Additionally, I am privileged to serve the Chicago-Kent student body as Secretary of the Student Bar Association. This May, I will begin my role as a Summer Associate at Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP. Lastly, I serve as a member of the PILI Alumni Network Leadership Council, where I contribute to the Alumni Engagement Team.
What was your favorite thing about being a PILI Law Student Intern?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a PILI Intern. My time at the ACLU of Illinois was both empowering and fulfilling, as I had the opportunity to engage in meaningful work and collaborate with passionate, talented individuals. The experience was truly unforgettable. Beyond my impactful summer at the ACLU, one of the highlights of being a PILI Law Student Intern was joining the extraordinary PILI Alumni Network. I connected with many inspiring professionals who have supported my professional growth and opened doors for continued development.
How has your commitment to service played a role in your life and career?
Giving back has always been a guiding principle in my life and career choices. Before attending law school, I worked as a teacher because I believed education was a powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty, as it had been in my experience. Now, as an aspiring attorney, I am committed to being a resource for my family and individuals from similar backgrounds. My ultimate professional goal is to use my skills and future resources to support organizations and programs that empower students facing the challenges I experienced growing up. Service is not just a value I hold—it’s the foundation of my aspirations and the driving force behind my professional journey.
Claire Ramsey
Sidley Austin LLP
2024 Graduate Fellow
What have you been up to since your PILI Graduate Fellowship concluded?
I recently started working in the Financial Institutions group at Sidley Austin.
What was your favorite thing about being a PILI Graduate Fellow?
My favorite part of being a PILI Fellow was the opportunity to work directly with clients and provide them with the legal support they needed to be able to protect themselves and their loved ones. It was incredibly fulfilling to see the tangible impact of my work, knowing that I was helping the community. The experience deepened my passion for domestic violence work and reinforced my commitment to advocating for those in need.
How has your commitment to service played a role in your life and career?
My commitment to service has been a cornerstone of both my personal and professional life, shaping my approach to law and the way I connect with others. It has made me a better lawyer by enhancing my ability to empathize with all clients, communicate effectively, and advocate on their behalf. It also led me to choose my firm, Sidley Austin, based on their demonstrated, genuine emphasis on pro bono work and being “of” the community, not “in” the community.