PILI Alum Andrew Hemmer has received an Equal Justice Works Fellowship to work at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, where he did his PILI Internship in 2015. After graduating from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law this year, he will be working in the Civil Asset Forfeiture Project, helping create a program to assist those whose cars have been impounded because they were suspected of being used in a crime.
“The unjust, confusing civil asset forfeiture laws in Illinois disproportionately impact poor communities of color and have left the lives of many people—some completely innocent of any crime—in financial ruin,” Andrew said. “We plan to help as many people as possible avoid the forfeiture of their property after its been seized by police, and we hope to eventually change the unjust policies currently in place in our state.”
The Equal Justice Works Fellowship is a two-year program that funds public interest attorneys. These fellows have a lasting impact well beyond their fellowship, and more than 80% of fellows continue doing public interest work after their fellowship ends. Learn more at www.equaljusticeworks.org.
Congratulations to Andrew and all of the 2016 Equal Justice Work Fellows, including Lydia Ness, another PILI Alum! We look forward to hearing about the great work you accomplish.
Read more news about PILI Alumni »
Do you have news about a PILI Alum? Email Development & Communications Associate Lauren Harper to share it on our website.