PILI engages, inspires and empowers those advancing equal access to justice. We introduced this new mission statement at the Annual Pro Bono Reception to encapsulate all PILI has been doing over the last 42 years. So who is PILI currently engaging, inspiring and empowering and how?
First, there are PILI Interns and Fellows. This year, 66 law students and 78 recent graduates will give nearly 50,000 hours of service to those in need of legal help through PILI’s Internship and Fellowship Programs. PILI has inspired and empowered these emerging lawyers to enter their careers engaged in public interest law and pro bono service. PILI connects them with over 60 agencies fighting for justice in Illinois and prepares them to become these agencies’ associates, allies, leaders and supporters.
Second, there are the pro bono volunteers and pro bono leaders. In the past year, PILI’s Pro Bono Program has engaged over 250 pro bono volunteers to serve over 400 clients statewide. It has empowered over 400 CLE attendees with the skills they need to serve people who need legal help. It has connected over 100 pro bono leaders across Illinois with the opportunities to enhance and promote pro bono service through pro bono roundtables, forums and committees. And PILI has inspired over 300 participants of its pro bono events to recognize pro bono service as an important value for the legal profession.
Third, there is you. By supporting PILI, you advance equal access to justice. You engage the next generation of lawyers in public interest law and pro bono practice. You inspire a culture of service in every legal profession across every stage of a legal career. And, you empower PILI to serve as the hub through which the legal community can collaborate to increase access to justice for those who most need it in Illinois.
PILI is where many discover and preserve a passion for pro bono. PILI is also where you find community with others who advance equal access to justice. Please make a donation today so that, together, we can fulfill our vision of making equal access to justice a reality for all.
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