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Give the Gift of Justice this Holiday Season
At PILI, we talk a lot about increasing access to justice, but what do we mean by justice?
If veterans fight for our country, but can’t get legal help when they need it, that’s not justice. That’s why PILI connects veterans with pro bono lawyers through the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network to help with benefits and other civil legal issues.
If a small business or nonprofit doesn’t have a fair chance to get its start, that’s not justice. That’s why PILI places Graduate Fellows at nonprofit organizations like those that help new businesses and nonprofits work through the legal barriers to get started.
If a child with a learning disability doesn’t receive a good education, that’s not justice. That’s why PILI funds Law Student Interns to provide legal assistance such as helping make sure children are given an equitable education experience.
If someone loses their home because they don’t understand eviction court and can’t afford a lawyers, that’s not justice. That’s why PILI manages the Illinois Free Legal Answers website where people in need of legal assistance can ask lawyers questions online.
Justice means not leaving people behind. Justice means opportunity. Justice means equity. Justice means having a safe and stable place to call home. Your support will ensure that PILI continues its work to advance justice. Give the gift of justice this holiday season.
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2019 Distinguished Intern Alumni Award: Candace Moore
Candace Moore is a 2013 graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She was a PILI Intern at BPI and also interned at the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights where she then worked as a staff attorney. While there, she helped to establish the organization’s Education Equity Project to protect and promote access to education by addressing the individual and systematic barriers that disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities. Earlier this year, Candace was named the first Chief Equity Office for the City of Chicago. She is now responsible for building up the Office of Equity and Racial Justice which seeks to support and build capacity for advancing equity in the city’s service delivery, decision-making, and resource allocations.
“Candace is brilliant, dynamic, strategic, and deeply passionate about racial equity, especially on behalf of children of color in our city and state. Candace is not only a rising star in Chicago but increasingly recognized nationally as a leading voice for racial equity in government and across sectors.”
– Bonnie Allen, Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights
View all PILI’s 2019 Award Recipients »
2019 Distinguished Fellow Alumni Award: Kyle Palazzolo
Kyle Palazzolo is a 2007 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and was a PILI Fellow at the Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU. He then joined Jenner & Block, where he pursued a wide range of pro bono matters before makingthe jump into civil rights work full time and joining Lambda Legal in Chicago. There, he worked on cases involving marriage equality, discrimination against people living with HIV, and anti-LGBT laws and policies around the country. He then moved to Salvatore Prescott & Porter, where he worked on issues involving employment discrimination, the protections of Title IX and much more. Most recently, Kyle joined the American Medical Association, where he works on litigation involving issues of public health such access to care, health equity, reproductive health rights, and other items that impact physicians and their patients. He previously served on the PILI Alumni Network Leadership Council and as an Advisor for current PILI Interns & Fellows.
“Kyle gives without limit, he lends a hand without needing to be asked, and he is one of the people we can call on at a moment’s notice to come alongside us in support.”
– Emily Ellermann, Chicago Scholars
View all PILI’s 2019 Award Recipients »
2019 Pro Bono Initiative Award: State Farm Legal Department
State Farm’s business is built on the idea of helping people and pro bono work is a key part of the State Farm Law Department’s commitment to helping their communities. State Farm partners with Prairie State Legal Services, PILI and the McLean County Bar Association to expand the availability of legal services for people, families and communities in need by organizing and volunteering at bi-annual Legal Advice Fairs. Additionally, State Farm works with Prairie State on Saturday Volunteer Lawyer Program Expungement Clinics and also partners with the Immigration Project, ILAO, and the Veterans Consortium. In 2018, the Law Department Pro Bono Committee reviewed and approved over 200 pro bono requests resulting in over 750 hours of pro bono service being provided to their local communities.
“State Farm has a long history of supporting equal justice and of accepting pro bono cases. State Farm Law Department staff are providing life changing services to low-income clients and improving the community.
– Adrian Barr, Prairie State Legal Services
View all PILI’s 2019 Award Recipients »
2019 Distinguished Public Service Award: Allen C. Schwartz
Allen C. Schwartz has served as the Executive Director of CARPLS since 2003. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law before moving to Chicago in 1991 upon completing his clerkship with Judge Gerald E. Rosen, U.S. Court, Eastern District of Michigan, and worked in private practice before joining CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) as a program director. In 1993, Al was hired as CARPLS’ first staff attorney and answered the first hotline phone call. CARPLS was the first legal aid hotline in the country and through Al’s leadership and innovation has become the largest and most cost effective.Al pioneered software that equips CARPLS attorneys to deliver high-quality, fast-paced and customized brief services through more than 60,000 legal consultations annually on any type of legal matter.CARPLS services enable litigants to navigate the justice system much more smoothly and efficiently.
“In his 26-years with CARPLS, Al has championed CARPLS’ staff, volunteers, and board members to do the inspiring work that has helped so many. Al never loses sight of what’s most important: advocating for our clients.”
– David B. H. Williams, CARPLS Board President
View all PILI’s 2019 Award Recipients »
PILI Elects Christopher Wells to PILI Board of Directors
At their October 2019 meeting, the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) board elected Christopher Wells of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to its Board of Directors.
Chris is currently the Chief of the Public Interest Division at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. He joined the Attorney General’s Office in November 2015 and has worked on negotiating the consent decree to reform the Chicago Police Department, combating discrimination and wage theft in the restaurant industry, and enforcing state ethics laws. Prior to his work at the Attorney General’s Office, Chris was an attorney at Jenner & Block for four years where he had an active pro bono practice assisting immigrants in criminal matters as well as asylum cases. He also won the firm’s Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award as part of a team of attorneys that obtained their client’s release after 27 years in custody. Chris received his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School and his undergraduate degree in history from Yale University.
“I have admired PILI’s mission and work since law school, and I am thrilled to join the board of this outstanding organization,” said Chris.
We look forward to be working with Chris and looking forward to having his input in the coming years!
PILI Receives Renewed Funding from Retirement Research Foundation
The Retirement Research Foundation (RRF) has awarded PILI a grant that will fund a Summer 2020 Law Student Intern. RFF’s mission is to improve the quality of life for older people in America, and RRF is one of the first private foundations devoted exclusively to aging and retirement issues. RRF initially provided funding for an Intern in Summer 2019 at the Center for Disability & Elder Law, where the Summer 2020 Intern will also work.
PILI’s application system for the 2020 Spring Semester and Summer is now open.
PILI is extremely grateful to the Retirement Research Foundation for their support of our work.
Kirkland & Ellis Assists Clients at November PILI Clinic
Thank you to attorneys from Kirkland & Ellis who volunteered at PILI’s Legal Prep Community Law Clinic in November! Four attorneys assisted three clients with legal problems including guardianship, eviction and other landlord/tenant issues.
PILI’s Alumni Network Leadership Council collaborates with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) and Legal Prep Charter Academies to host a monthly community-based clinic for the student families and neighbors of Legal Prep in the Garfield Park neighborhood.
PILI coordinates this monthly clinic, typically held on the first Tuesday of each month. If you are interested in hosting or your firm is interested in adopting a clinic date, please contact PILI Program Manager Brent Page by email or by phone at 312-832-5128.
Learn more about the Legal Prep Community Law Clinic »
Dates Set for 2020 Pro Bono Roundtables
Each year, PILI holds several Pro Bono Forums and Roundtables to bring together pro bono leaders from law firms, corporations, legal service agencies and law schools. Attendees discuss timely pro bono issues, challenges and best practices and develop strategies to expand and enhance pro bono in Illinois. The Pro Bono Roundtables allow for unique constituent group-specific conversations, while the Forums are for everyone and give attendees an opportunity for in-depth discussion among a cross-section of the legal profession.
PILI has now set the dates for its 2020 Pro Bono Roundtables:
- Corporate Roundtable: Wednesday, February 26th from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Charles River Associates
- Legal Services Agency Roundtable: Thursday, March 26th from 12:00 to 1:30 at Drinker Biddle & Reath
- Law Firm Roundtable: Wednesday, April 15th from 12:00 to 2:00 at Chapman and Cutler LLP
- Law School Roundtable: Wednesday, July 29th from 12:00 to 1:30 at Brinks Gilson & Lione
For more information about PILI’s pro bono programming, please contact PILI Senior Managing Attorney Brent Page by email or by phone at 312-832-5128.