During her PILI Internship, Susan DeCostanza worked at Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS). In
this role, Susan worked with clients on family law matters including both adoption and dissolution of marriage, representing the best interests of children in probate court, completing intake interviews and working with CVLS attorneys on housing law cases. After graduating from law school, Susan worked with a civil rights law firm and spent time directing the Pro Bono and Community Service Initiative at DePaul. Currently, Susan is a Career Counselor in Chicago-Kent’s Career Services Office, where Susan addresses career and professional development issues with students and alumni who are interested in pursuing a career in the public service/public interest community. Susan noted that “my fondest memory from participation in the PILI programs is generally the relationships that I built. It was inspiring to work with dedicated attorneys and I have also kept in touch with the other law students with whom I interned.” From her experience as a PILI Intern, Susan believes that “the greatest skills that CVLS helped me develop were practical skills in client interactions and client service, navigating the court system and generally learning to stand up and represent a client in court. These are skills that I was not taught in law school and my PILI internship really helped me both feel confident in my ability to lead clients through a case as well as become a conscientious attorney.”
Originally published Apr 2010 Read more PILI Alumni Spotlights »