PILI Executive Director, Michael Bergmann, welcomes Interns and Fellows to orientation and wishes them success throughout their summer experience.
On Tuesday, June 2, PILI welcomed the class of 2026 PILI Law Student Interns and Graduate Fellows and kicked off its Summer Educational Seminar Series with a daylong orientation with record-breaking attendance. More than ever before, Interns and Fellows joined us both in person and virtually to begin a summer dedicated to advancing access to justice through public interest law and pro bono service. The orientation and weekly educational sessions are generously hosted by DePaul University College of Law.
The day began with a welcome and program overview led by PILI Executive Director Michael Bergmann and Program Associate Alex Schumacher, who introduced Interns and Fellows to PILI’s mission, summer programming, and the important role they will play in expanding access to justice throughout Illinois. PILI’s Interns and Fellows will collectively generate an additional 39,700 hours of legal assistance. As PILI Executive Director Michael Bergmann stated when addressing the Interns and Fellows, “You are the future leaders of our noble profession. Today, you pick up the torch from those who came before you. You join them in the fight to make our nation’s guarantee of equal justice under law a reality for all.”
PILI Executive Director speaks to attendees at one of the breakout sessions, A View from the Bench, with panelists Judge Chang, Judge Conlon, and Judge Schneider.
Interns and Fellows then participated in a series of educational sessions designed to strengthen practical skills and prepare them for success in their summer placements. In-person participants selected from concurrent breakout sessions including A View from the Bench, Best Practices for Inclusive Client Interaction, and Getting the Most from a Hybrid Work Experience. Additional sessions throughout the day explored topics such as Elevating Legal Writing, Navigating Conflict, and Access to Justice in Illinois. These programs were made possible through the generous contributions of PILI Alumni Network members, judges, public interest attorneys, and other legal professionals who volunteered their time and expertise.
Following lunch, Interns and Fellows participated in PILI’s Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Simulation, an immersive exercise designed to help participants experience common civil legal processes from the perspective of individuals navigating the legal system without representation.
SRL Simulation participants are queued to see the Clerk.
Participants worked through scenarios involving issues such as public benefits, housing instability, and court procedures while facing the realities of poverty and limited access to legal assistance. The simulation highlighted challenges related to procedural fairness, unconscious bias, and the complexity of navigating legal systems without guidance. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting that the experience deepened their understanding of the barriers faced by self-represented litigants and would be something they carry with them throughout their summer internships and fellowships.
SRL Simulation participants queued to speak to Public Benefits and Housing.
The orientation concluded with a networking reception that brought together Interns, Fellows, advisors, and members of the PILI community. The reception provided an opportunity for advisees to connect with their advisors, many of whom serve on PILI’s Young Professionals Board (YPB) and Alumni Network Leadership Council (ANLC), while building relationships with fellow participants and legal professionals who will support them throughout the summer and beyond.
ANLC Member, Jaylin McClinton, pictured with PILI Interns and Fellows.
Of our Law Student Interns this summer, 23 will hold Honorary, Memorial or Named Internship positions, which are created and funded by individuals and groups dedicated to promoting public interest law service and supporting PILI’s Law Student Internship Program. We are grateful to the individuals and groups who make it possible for Interns to provide legal services for people, families and communities in need. Read more »
Our thanks to all who participated and contributed to the educational programming which serves as a start for our Interns and Fellows to grow from throughout the summer. We hope these sessions will better prepare our Interns and Fellows for their summer positions as well as their lifetime of public interest law and pro bono service.
Learn more about the PILI Educational Seminars »
Meet our current class of Interns and Fellows »
View past seminars on PILI’s YouTube channel »
Are you a public interest law Intern or Fellow in Illinois this summer? Sign up for updates and register for our Summer Educational Seminar Series here »
If you have questions about PILI’s Law Student Internship, Graduate Fellowship Programs or our educational programming, contact Alex Schumacher by email.