National Volunteer Week, celebrated this year from April 21 through April 25, 2025 , is an opportunity for PILI to recognize and acknowledge our own outstanding and dedicated volunteers. Without our vast network of volunteers throughout Illinois, PILI would not be where it is today. Today, we want to spotlight some of our dedicated pro bono volunteers who stand for justice by using their own time and talents to increase access to justice through PILI’s pro bono opportunities.
Dillon Borri
MillerKing LLC
Alton
For Dillon, the inspiration to begin doing pro bono work was simple but powerful: giving back. Motivated by a desire to support people who can’t afford an attorney, Dillon views his role as not just a lawyer, but as a community member committed to uplifting others through access to justice. Through his volunteer work with PILI’s Conflict of Interest Pro Bono Referral Panel, Dillon hopes to provide meaningful support and guidance to those facing legal challenges without the resources to navigate them alone. This panel provides a referral source for participating legal aid agencies to send potential clients who have been denied service due to a conflict of interest. “I hope to better position people who are in need of help and guidance,” he says, emphasizing how even small acts of service can lead to big changes in someone’s life.
One of the most rewarding aspects of his volunteer experience has been witnessing the gratitude of the people he helps. “There is always a feeling of fulfillment when people are grateful for your services,” Dillon reflects. That sense of connection and impact continues to fuel his dedication. Equal access to justice is a personal issue for Dillon. He knows firsthand how many people in his own community could not afford legal representation. “Providing them with access to legal expertise and guidance,” he says, “ultimately benefits our communities as a whole.”
To attorneys hesitant about starting pro bono work, Dillon offers a simple, practical challenge, for volunteers to try handling one case a quarter. Dillion is sure volunteers will see how rewarding it can be. With his grounded approach and passion for service, Dillon is a reminder that meaningful impact often starts with just one case—and one person willing to help.
Kaylan Huber
Huber & Mudd, LLC
Danville
Kaylan is a dedicated volunteer, often working on Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN) cases. For her, pro bono work isn’t just a professional responsibility—it’s a chance to change lives. Among her most rewarding experiences as a volunteer attorney have been pro bono adoptions. “Adoptions are amazing experiences regardless of if you are getting paid or not,” Kaylan shares. “Being able to provide permanency and a sense of completeness to families is pretty awesome.”
That sense of purpose fuels her dedication to equal access to justice. Kaylan strongly believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, regardless of income. Kaylan believes that someone’s lack of income does not mean that their claims are not valid, that their arguments are not worth hearing, or that their losses—whether monetary or otherwise—matter less. As an attorney, she sees providing pro bono services as a civic duty and a way to support the communities to which she belongs.
When speaking to fellow attorneys who haven’t yet taken the leap into pro bono work, Kaylan is quick to address a common misconception: the time commitment. “All it takes is reaching out and asking if someone needs help,” she says. “There is such a wide array of legal matters that someone can tackle in the pro bono realm. I think the first thing someone should do is to call our partners like the Public Interest Law Initiative and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid to see what needs there are and choose one that fits your schedule, your practice area, and your interests.”
Through her work, Kaylan demonstrates how even a small gesture of legal support can create life-changing outcomes—and how pro bono service strengthens not only individuals, but entire communities.
Karen Kapela
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Bloomington
For Karen, a regular volunteer on Illinois Free Legal Answers, pro bono work has always been a part of her legal journey, but it was the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic that reignited her commitment in a powerful new way. With traditional, in-person volunteer opportunities temporarily on hold, a simple internal email during Pro Bono Week prompted her to set a new goal: to answer one legal question a day for a year on Illinois Free Legal Answers. And she has stuck with it.
Karen’s journey in public interest law actually began during law school, when she took part in the Civil Practice Clinic—providing free legal assistance to individuals who couldn’t otherwise afford an attorney. Guided by a professor who deeply valued pro bono work, Karen was inspired to carry that spirit into her own career. Her goal through volunteering is simple yet powerful: to help people when they need it most. Whether it’s answering a question online or offering a few words of reassurance, Karen strives to ensure people feel seen, heard, and supported during difficult times. “I would love for one day to open the site and have no question waiting to be answered,” she says with hope.
One of her most memorable experiences came from an ongoing exchange with a client on the platform—something not typical for Illinois Free Legal Answers. After several messages back and forth, the client returned to share the outcome of her hearing. That moment of connection and impact was deeply rewarding for Karen and reinforced the importance of her efforts.
Equal access to justice is personal for Karen. “We all face challenges in life and have moments when we need help,” she reflects. “I like that I’m giving back to others, just like others did for me.” To those who feel unsure about starting pro bono work, Karen offers encouraging advice: “At first, I was worried about helping people with really personal issues but realized we all have life experiences, and I would encourage someone to just try to answer one question, just one and then another.”