2027 Law Firm Request for Support
In 2027, PILI will celebrate 50 years of engaging, inspiring and empowering the Illinois legal community to advance equal access to justice. This monumental anniversary honors five decades of service while calling us to meet the needs of this moment—because the actions we take today will shape justice tomorrow.
Each year, PILI chooses an annual theme to express our work and impact. Our 2026 theme, Meet the Moment: Your Action Today Shapes Justice Tomorrow, recognizes that equal access to justice requires action now. Law students, lawyers and legal professionals meet the moment by contributing their time, talent and resources to serve those who need legal help. With access to the right tools, information and representation, clients are better equipped to advocate for themselves and assert their rights.
For nearly 50 years, the generosity and partnership of law firms like yours have enabled PILI to expand access to legal assistance and close justice gaps throughout Illinois. Together, we meet the moment. The materials that follow provide an overview of our work and the ways your firm can commemorate this milestone—honoring PILI’s legacy, strengthening our programs today and helping build a more just and equitable future.
Learn about our Mission, Vision and Values here »
Our Programs
PILI's Law Student Internship and Graduate Fellowship Programs place law students and recent law school graduates at public interest law organizations, with PILI providing funding for their work as well as supplemental educational, networking and mentoring opportunities. Our Alumni Network builds and maintains the connection between past PILI Interns and Fellows and the public interest law community through educational, networking, leadership, and service opportunities. Our Pro Bono Program works to increase the availability of pro bono legal help for those who cannot afford an attorney in Illinois by developing innovative pro bono opportunities, offering pro bono programming and resources, cultivating best practices, and celebrating the life-changing pro bono performed throughout the state.
Ways to Support PILI
Make an Annual Charitable Gift
General charitable gifts provide PILI with the greatest flexibility to put money towards wherever we need it most. These gifts are 100 percent tax deductible as permitted by law.
Sponsor a PILI Event
PILI hosts 3 fundraising events each year and offers a variety of sponsorship levels:
YPB Arcade for Legal Aid on April 8, 2027
Hosted by PILI’s Young Professionals Board, the Arcade for Legal Aid typically brings together over 100 other young professionals, PILI board members, sponsors and other members of the legal community for a fun evening. Money raised at this event will support PILI to expand the availability of legal services in Illinois for people, families and communities in need through public interest law and pro bono service.
Annual Pro Bono Reception on June 23, 2027
PILI’s Annual Pro Bono Reception celebrates the inspiring and life-changing pro bono work being done in Illinois through effective pro bono programs, innovative partnerships, and the unwavering dedication of individual attorneys and legal professionals. PILI unveils its Pro Bono Recognition Roster and its Pro Bono Volunteer Honor Roll annually at this event.
50th Anniversary Awards Gala on December 8, 2027
n 2027, PILI will mark a milestone 50 years in a special way, bringing together members of Illinois’ legal community for our 50th Anniversary Annual Awards Gala. Held as a gala in milestone anniversary years, this signature celebration will honor five decades of service, collaboration and commitment to public interest law and pro bono across Illinois. As PILI’s largest annual fundraiser, the Gala will recognize those who champion access to justice while supporting the programs that will carry PILI’s mission into its next 50 years.
Fund a Named or Honorary PILI Intern
Your law firm can make a lasting difference in the lives of law students, as well as the clients and communities they serve. PILI's Law Student Internship Program places law students from across the country at public interest law agencies in Illinois, with PILI ensuring quality supervision by experienced attorneys and providing a living stipend and extra educational, networking and advising opportunities. Law firms can sponsor a PILI Intern for $3,850 for a semester or $7,150 for a summer, which can be named in recognition of the law firm, or in honor or memory of an individual of your choosing. Learn more here »
Other Opportunities for Engagement
In addition to sponsorship opportunities, PILI offers several volunteer opportunities and ways to engage your law firm in pro bono service.
Sponsor PILI Graduate Fellows
PILI's Graduate Fellowship Program places new associates from Chicago law firms at public interest law agencies in Illinois, where they are paid by their hiring firm to work for 300 hours between graduation and joining the firm. They develop lawyering skills, build professional networks, and gain real world experience outside of law school, giving them a competitive edge when they start at their firms. PILI ensures quality supervision by experienced attorneys and providing extra educational, networking and advising opportunities. Sponsoring firms also take an active role in encouraging their incoming associates to develop long-term interest in pro bono practice.
Host an Illinois Free Legal Answers Workshop
Illinois Free Legal Answers is a secure website where lower income Illinois residents can ask a lawyer for help with a legal issue. Qualified users post questions about civil legal problems then volunteer lawyers log onto the site and select questions to answer. It's a virtual walk-in legal clinic. Host a workshop for PILI to teach your attorneys how to use the site and answer 1-2 questions for those in need through this discrete pro bono opportunity. Learn more here »
Volunteer Through the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network
IL-AFLAN is a statewide network that provides civil legal services across Illinois to veterans, active duty military and their spouses and dependents. As an IL-AFLAN member, PILI refers pro bono matters in the 101 counties outside of Cook County. Learn more here »
Attend PILI’s Annual Pro Bono Programming
Attend PILI’s annual pro bono programming—from Forums and Roundtables to PILI’s Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series and other trainings. Learn practical skills, connect with peers across the state, and discover ways to expand access to justice. Learn more here »
Designate PILI as a Recipient of a Cy Pres Award
PILI is eligible to receive cy pres and residual fund awards. Please consider designating PILI as a recipient of cy pres or residual funds in any class action settlement or judgment with which you are involved.
Questions?
For more information about supporting PILI, please contact PILI's Executive Director Michael Bergmann by email or by phone at 312-832-5129.
For more information about PILI's programming, please contact PILI Program Director and Senior Managing Attorney Jessica Schneider by email or by phone at 312-832-5125.