Dentons has a long and proud tradition of serving the community. With approximately 2,600 lawyers and professionals in more than 75 locations in over 50 countries across the globe, Dentons serves the public interest through pro bono legal services, partnerships with nonprofit organizations, community volunteerism, environmental sustainability projects and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
PILI Alumni Spotlight: Kyle Shires, 2014 PILI Fellow
“The PILI Fellowship was an amazing learning experience for me,” he states. “I wanted to help ensure that future Fellows had an experience similar to mine. I couldn’t think of a better way to stay involved than service as the Fellow Representative.”
PILI Alumni Spotlight: Militza Pagán, 2014 Intern
During her PILI Internship at BPI last summer, Militza worked primarily in their Public Housing and Political Reform departments. “I enjoyed the type of work that I did and the opportunities to learn about ways that lawyers can play a role in developing anti-poverty policies,” she said.
Board Member Spotlight: Dick O’Malley
Dick has been a Director on PILI’s Board since 1999, when his former partner Tom Morsch, whom Dick calls “one of the stalwarts of the Chicago pro bono community,” encouraged him to join.
Pro Bono Spotlight: Southern Illinois University School of Law
Beginning this fall, students at the Southern Illinois University School of Law will be required to complete 35 hours of pro bono work prior to graduation. This requirement is the first of its kind for a law school in Illinois.
PILI Alumni Spotlight: Stephanie Dykeman, 2004 Fellow
“Not only was it an incredible experience for me as a lawyer, as I was able to do a direct examination and the closing argument, it was also incredibly personally rewarding to assist a family in turmoil with such a difficult matter.”
PILI Alumni Spotlight: Kathy Clark, 1997 Intern
At our 2011 Annual Awards Luncheon PILI presented a Distinguished Alumni Award to Kathleen K. Clark, Executive Director of Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, who served as a PILI Intern in the spring and fall of 1997 at the Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU and at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
PILI Alumni Spotlight: Nichole Cain, 2005 PILI Intern
“My PILI Internship solidified my inclinations that I ultimately wanted to be a public interest attorney. It was my first experience actually interacting with clients, researching issues for public interest legislation, and witnessing a large class action.”