National Volunteer Week, celebrated this year from April 19-25, 2026, 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 are spotlighting members of our Board of Directors who stand for justice by using their own time and talents to increase access to justice.
Perry Browder
Simmons Hanly Conroy
Why are you involved with PILI? I support PILI as the work that PILI performs to reach out to legal aid and to sponsor Interns throughout the state supports those that cannot afford to hire legal representation. The work of PILI ensures that one does not need to be self represented to be able to have justice in courts.
What impact has your involvement with PILI had on you or your perspective on access to justice? By being on the board, I have personally seen the work that PILI staff, Interns and Fellows, volunteers and donors are doing to build access to justice. At PILI access to justice in not just a theme but is active support for legal aid and the self-represented.
How/Why does this year’s PILI theme, “Meet the Moment: Your Action Today Shapes Justice Tomorrow“, resonate with you? The theme truly means that we can make a difference now if we act through our pro bono work, our volunteer time and our financial support of PILI now. If we take action with PILI at this moment, we can help people in crisis now while building better access to justice for those in need tomorrow and the years ahead.
Donyelle L. Gray
Cook County State Attorney’s Office
Why are you involved with PILI? I was a PILI Intern when I was a law student, which gave me an opportunity to work with excellent attorneys and expand my knowledge of public interest law. Now, as an attorney of over 25 years, with half those years spent in public service, I wanted to give back to an organization that has done so much to expand access to justice and which continues to connect law students to opportunities for professional growth and societal awareness.
How/Why does this year’s PILI theme, “Meet the Moment: Your Action Today Shapes Justice Tomorrow“, resonate with you? I was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and my own family of working-class people to become an attorney. So, PILI’s theme resonates with me because it echoes both the values I learned at home and from the justice-seekers of the Movement, which is no matter the storm swirling around you, you have to stay focused on what is right, believe in community, keep moving forward, and continue to build on the foundation of those who came before you.
Click here to see our other National Volunteer Week 2026 spotlights »