PILI is excited to introduce eight spring Law Student Interns who are working 200 hours during the semester at legal service agencies throughout Chicago. Read more about their backgrounds and diverse Internship experiences below.
Vanessa Aceves
Vanessa is a 2L at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and an Intern at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF).
“I am proud to work with MALDEF because their work has large-scale impacts, advancing the rights of the Latinx community. So far, I’ve worked on research involving the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, race-based redistricting, and discriminatory tax policies.”
Montana Birringer
Montana is a 2L at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and the Baker McKenzie Named Intern at Cabrini Green Legal Aid.
“My favorite part of my Internship so far has been working at the Daley Center Help Desk interacting with clients. It is amazing to learn their stories and to help them move on with their lives. My work at CGLA has deepened my understanding of the long lasting impacts the criminal (in)justice system has on people and highlighted even more the overwhelming need for reform.”
MariaCarolina Gomez
MariaCarolina is a 3L at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and the Russo Named Intern at ACLU of Illinois. MariaCarolina is a “Double PILI” having also done a PILI Internship in the Spring of 2021.
“Working as a PILI Intern at the ACLU has allowed me to delve into important issues involving racial justice, reproductive health, and government overreach. I am excited to continue learning about different areas of the law that I am passionate about while at the same time working with an amazing team.”
Emma Knight
Emma is a 3L at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and the Brad & Teri Lane Named Intern at CARPLS.
“I believe it’s important to work with the client population at CARPLS because access to legal services can be scarce, especially for low-income communities. CARPLS commitment to providing legal advice and assistance for free helps ensure that all people have access to and understanding of the legal system.”
Benjamin McAdams
Ben McAdams is a 2L at DePaul University’s College of Law and the LAGBAC Named Intern at the National Immigrant Justice Center’s LGBTQ Project.
“Prior to coming to law school, I was a community organizer. I want my work as a lawyer to reflect my commitment to improving people’s lives, similar to my experience as an organizer. Working at NIJC this semester has given me the opportunity to work one-on-one with clients who are desperately in need of help. Hearing the traumatic stories of clients, such as asylum cases, makes me feel connected to them and motivates me to work harder on their behalf.”
Gabe Spellberg
Gabe is a 2L at Chicago-Kent College of Law and the Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) Named Intern at Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to Intern at Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, an organization that believes that housing is a human right and actively advocates for the rights of tenants.”
Nura Zaki
Nura is a 2L at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and Intern at Legal Aid Chicago. Nura is a “Double PILI” having also done a PILI Internship this past fall.
“The attorneys at Legal Aid Chicago encourage their interns to meaningfully contribute to the needs of the many clients they serve by conducting intake meetings and appearing in court with a Rule 711 license. It’s important for me to be a legal professional who honors the stories and difficult circumstances of our clients seeking relief. The Children and Families practice group has connected me with attorneys who embody this conviction with great dedication and joy.”
We are also excited to welcome Anthony Eugenis, a 3L at DePaul University College of Law and an Intern at Greater Chicago Legal Clinic (GCLC).