Celebrating National Volunteer Week with PILI’s Pro Bono Volunteers

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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 want to spotlight some of our dedicated pro bono volunteers who meet the moment by using their own time and talents to increase access to justice through PILI’s pro bono opportunities.

Billie Constant

Constant, Wawrzynek & Grove LLC

Why do you do pro bono work? I do legal pro bono work because our system is a mess and the folks who often end up a part of it simply don’t understand.  Because I have the education necessary, I feel it is my responsibility to assist those who just need to understand the process a little better.

Why should others do pro bono work?  Because we have a responsibility, just as humans who live on this planet, to both improve it for ourselves and for those around us.  Helping people is a privilege.

Sheree A. Davis, Esq.

Sandifer & Associates Attorneys at Law, LLC

Why do you do pro bono work? I do pro bono legal work because my commitment to justice, my heart for underserved communities, and my values push me to use my legal skills to open doors for people who might otherwise be shut out.

Why should others do pro bono work? Others should do pro bono work because it expands access to justice while keeping you grounded in purpose and reminding you that the law is ultimately about people, not just outcomes.

 

Click here to see our other National Volunteer Week 2026 spotlights »

Celebrating National Volunteer Week with PILI’s Alumni Network Leadership Council

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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 Alumni Network Leadership Council who meet the moment by using their own time and talents to increase access to justice.

Scott Goehring

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Why are you involved with PILI? I was fortunate to be a PILI Graduate Fellow the summer between graduating from law school and beginning at my law firm, when I spent the summer with Legal Aid Chicago’s Housing Group Practice. That experience made me want to remain connected to PILI and seek out pro bono opportunities as a practicing attorney, which I have found through membership on the PILI Alumni Network Leadership Council and opportunities to help out with PILI’s Illinois Free Legal Answers, a virtual legal clinic where residents all over Illinois can seek help with their legal issues.

Natanya Pope-Sohel

Illinois Torture Inquiry & Relief Commission

Why are you involved with PILI? My involvement with PILI stems from my dedication to public interest law and my goal of paying forward the support PILI gave me throughout my law school journey.

What impact has your involvement with PILI had on you or your perspective on access to justice? PILI’s work constantly reinforces my belief that equitable access to justice is the foundation of a fair legal system, demonstrating how coordinated legal efforts can deliver meaningful help to those in need.

How/Why does this year’s PILI theme, “Meet the Moment: Your Action Today Shapes Justice Tomorrow,” resonate with you? The theme resonates deeply because we are at a critical juncture where people need more legal help; it reminds us that proactively safeguarding judicial integrity and equity today directly shapes and secures justice for tomorrow’s litigants.

Click here to see our other National Volunteer Week 2026 spotlights »

Celebrating National Volunteer Week with PILI’s Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees

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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 Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees who meet the moment by using their own time and talents to increase access to justice.

Jonathan Cantrell

Hart, Cantrell, Thompson

Why is pro bono work important in your community/circuit? It appears there are not enough attorneys in our rural community to serve all individuals who need legal services, much less those individuals who do not have the means to hire private attorneys. I feel those of us in the legal community who have the ability to provide some pro bono work (in spite of our busy schedules) should do so in order to give back to our communities and to help the legal system as a whole. I also think of it as a form of charitable work, and I have always strongly believed that the more fortunate people in life should do what they can to help the less fortunate.

What role can lawyers play in expanding access to justice locally? Donating more of their time and/or money is the short answer. Lawyers can educate themselves so they can pick-and-choose how they want to help expand access to justice by communicating with entities like PILI and Land of Lincoln, being involved in their local bar associations, being involved in community programs (e.g. “lawyer in the library”), joining local civic organizations, etc.

Judge Bryan Chapman

Circuit Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit

Why is pro bono work important in your community/circuit? I’m involved with PILI because I believe in meaningful access to the courts for all individuals.  Our circuit’s Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee furthers this goal by ensuring that pro bono organizations throughout DuPage County are in constant contact, identifying unmet needs and further opportunities for pro bono services.  Being involved with this Committee serves as a reminder that there is a lot of good going on around us, and the best way to learn about it is to get involved!

Click here to see our other National Volunteer Week 2026 spotlights »

Celebrating National Volunteer Week with PILI’s Board of Directors

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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 »

Arcade for Legal Aid Raises Nearly $35,000 to Support Access to Justice Across Illinois

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PILI’s Young Professionals Board welcomed supporters from across the legal community to Arcade for Legal Aid on April 8th at HQ Beercade in Chicago for an evening that was energetic, well-attended, and deeply aligned with PILI’s mission.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, attendees, and new supporters, this year’s event raised a total of $34,465 to help expand access to justice across Illinois through public interest law and pro bono service.

This year’s fundraising total included:

  • $26,500 in corporate and firm sponsorships
  • $4,300 from Honorary Host Committee and Individual Sponsors
  • $3,665 in ticket and raffle sales

What stood out most throughout the evening was the energy in the room over just over 100 attendees. Arcade for Legal Aid is not simply a fundraiser—it is a space for connection. Guests spent the evening building relationships, reconnecting with colleagues, meeting new supporters, and engaging with PILI’s mission in a way that felt welcoming, fun, and purposeful.

Just as notably, support through Honorary Host Committee and Individual Sponsorships increased by 28.4% over last year, an encouraging sign of growing investment in both the event and PILI’s work. That growth, paired with strong sponsorship support and attendee participation, helped make this year’s event one of meaningful momentum.

That is exactly what this event is meant to do: create an opportunity for people to come together, strengthen connections across the legal community, and raise critical support for PILI’s work. This year’s event succeeded on all fronts.

PILI is especially grateful to our Young Professionals Board for their leadership, creativity, and commitment in bringing this event to life.

We also extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the evening possible—from those who sponsored the event, joined the Honorary Host Committee or or Individual Sponsors, purchased tickets, participated in the raffle, donated prizes, or helped spread the word. Their support made a tangible difference.

View and download photos from the event here.

PILI Receives its First-Ever Grant from Rossotti Family Foundation to Support Access to Justice

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PILI is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Rossotti Family Foundation — marking the first time PILI has received funding from the Foundation.

The Rossotti Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that supports nonprofit organizations focused on: (1) access to justice in Chicago and Washington, DC; (2) positive youth development and academic programs for students in underserved areas of Chicago and Washington, DC; and (3) vocal music performance and education across the United States.

This grant will directly support PILI’s work to expand access to justice for low-income individuals and families in Chicago and across Illinois through targeted investments in both legal services and the public interest law pipeline.

Of the total award, $6,500 will fully fund the summer stipend for one PILI Law Student Intern placed at a public interest law organization serving clients in Chicago. By removing financial barriers to participation, this support enables law students to gain hands-on legal experience while helping legal aid organizations expand their capacity to serve individuals facing critical civil legal issues.

The remaining $3,500 will support Illinois Free Legal Answers workshops in Chicago. These workshops provide training and engagement opportunities for volunteer attorneys, some of whom are introduced to pro bono service through this model, while delivering real-time legal assistance to individuals who cannot afford an attorney.

Together, these investments strengthen both immediate service delivery and the long-term infrastructure of access to justice. PILI’s programs address a wide range of civil legal needs—including housing stability, family law, public benefits, and immigration—while mobilizing law students, attorneys, and legal professionals across Illinois to meet those needs where they are greatest.

“We are honored to receive this support from the Rossotti Family Foundation,” said Executive Director, Michael G. Bergmann. “This investment allows us to both meet the current demand for critical legal services today and build a stronger, more sustainable pipeline of public interest attorneys and pro bono volunteers for the future.”

Certification Open for the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition Roster

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PILI is now accepting self-certifications for the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition Roster, which honors law firms and corporations that have demonstrated meaningful commitments to pro bono service across Illinois. These organizations play an important role in helping ensure that individuals, families, and communities in need have access to legal assistance.

Those named to the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition Roster will be recognized at PILI’s Annual Pro Bono Reception, taking place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at the Ivy Room in Chicago. The event celebrates the inspiring and life-changing pro bono work happening across the state through dedicated attorneys, innovative partnerships, and impactful pro bono programs.

The self-certification process is open through May 15.

For questions, please contact Andrea Schrader by email or at 217-606-7644.

PILI Launches Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee to Expand Access to Justice in Lake County

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PILI is excited to announce the formation of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, a collaborative effort dedicated to strengthening pro bono engagement and expanding access to justice in Lake County. This will be PILI’s twelfth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee.

Comprised of judges, attorneys, and legal professionals from across the circuit, the Committee will work to identify community needs, promote pro bono opportunities, and help connect volunteer attorneys with individuals who need legal assistance but cannot afford representation. The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit is located in the Second Appellate District and is led by Chief Judge Daniel B. Shanes.

The Committee will be chaired by the Honorable Patricia L. Cornell of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, with Jennifer J. Howe of Lesser Lutrey Pasquesi & Howe, LLP serving as Vice Chair. Together with fellow members of the bench and bar, they will help guide the Committee’s efforts to strengthen pro bono service throughout the region.

As PILI continues to support pro bono efforts across Illinois, the launch of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee represents an important step in expanding the network of legal professionals working to ensure that everyone—regardless of income—has access to legal help.

Below, Chair Judge Patricia L. Cornell and Vice Chair Jennifer J. Howe share reflections on what inspired their involvement with the Committee and their hopes for its impact in the Nineteenth Circuit.

Honorable Patricia L. Cornell

What excites you the most about launching the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee at this moment?

The most exciting part of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee are the members. Each of the selected committee members brings a unique perspective and a plethora of knowledge. This will ensure that the Pro Bono Committee will be able to determine not only the needs but a solution for the people of Lake County.

What does pro bono service mean to you personally?

My grandmother was very active in the AMVETS Auxiliary for my entire life because of my grandfather’s service in the U.S. Navy.  My grandmother brought me to the Great Lakes Naval Base to volunteer, and we often shopped and created care packages to ship to military servicemembers overseas—these are only two of the many things we did annually. I took several cases pro bono cases every year as a practicing attorney. Giving back to the community was stressed to me as a child and it remains an important aspect of my life both personally and professionally.

How do you hope this Committee will inspire attorneys in the region to get involved?

Sometimes it just takes one action to get people involved. My hope is that the committee members will themselves get inspired and communicate with their fellow bar members which will allow others to learn how they can get involved and, hopefully, a sense of obligation to get involved.

Jennifer Howe

What excites you the most about launching the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee at this moment?  

Especially now, lawyers and the legal process are constantly in the public eye and subject to criticism. That’s why it’s important in this context, to take action demonstrating our circuit’s collective dedication to make the legal process more accessible and helpful to all members of the community.

Why is strengthening pro bono engagement in your region especially important right now?  

Many lawyers in our community are dedicated in some way to public service, but don’t often know how to connect with those in need. One of the important goals of the Committee will be to connect lawyers who want to help with those who need their help.

What does pro bono service mean to you personally?

It is a win-win. Practicing law can be challenging and mentally exhausting, even on the best days. However, when I am doing work for those in need, those who really appreciate what I do and how I can help, it makes me feel refreshed and invigorated as a lawyer. It reminds me of why I went to law school in the first place. The result is that I receive just as much, or even more, than I could ever give as a pro bono lawyer.

How do you hope this Committee will inspire attorneys in the region to get involved?   

I hope that with the creation of this committee, we remind our community of lawyers that they are needed and that they can make a difference, not only for clients in need, but for their own practices and lives.