PILI is excited to welcome Aleathea Williams and Paris Mayfield to our Board of Directors as the 2021 Intern and Fellow Alumni Representatives. Each year, PILI appoints one Law Student Intern and one Graduate Fellow from the most recent class to serve on the board for a two-year term. Aleathea is a 2L at Chicago-Kent College of Law and Interned for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Paris is a first-year associate at Duane Morris and completed her Fellowship with the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy.
Aleathea Williams
2L, Chicago-Kent College of Law
2021 Law Student Intern
What have you been up to since your PILI Internship concluded?
Since interning through PILI, I have been primarily focused on school and my extracurricular involvement. I am a Themis Rep, serving as the Secretary of Chicago-Kent’s Black Law Students Association and am serving on the NextGen Leadership Council of the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights. The mission of BLSA is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. We do this through various events and mentorship.
What was your favorite thing about being a PILI Intern?
I loved working for the Chicago Lawyers Committee as a PILI Intern. My favorite thing about being an intern was my organization’s progressive take on lawyering. They truly value community lawyering and taught me a lot within this realm, that would allow me to make a positive impact while empowering those I serve.
How has your commitment to service played a role in your life and career?
My commitment to service has shaped my life and career in the sense that I am grateful for the opportunities I have that many do not. Additionally, I am able to be a well rounded advocate because I have served communities experiencing varying social justice issues.
Paris Mayfield
Associate, Duane Morris LLP
2021 Graduate Fellow
What have you been up to since your PILI Fellowship concluded?
Since my PILI fellowship concluded, I began working as a Trial Associate at Duane Morris here in Chicago. I started in September shortly after I wrapped up my fellowship in Mid-August.
What was your favorite thing about being a PILI Fellow?
My favorite thing about being a PILI Fellow was knowing that I spent my summer doing really meaningful work that actually helped people instead of just getting caught up in studying for the bar.
How has your commitment to service played a role in your life and career?
I believe that I have always held service in high regard and as a priority in my life. In high school, undergrad, and law school I made sure to join volunteer organizations or find ways to donate my time in ways that were important to me – for instance, coaching a local mock trial team in South Bend. Now, after being a PILI Fellow, I have real connections in the Chicago area and am aware of the needs so I know how I can make an impact and use my legal degree to provide service here as well.