PILI Recognizes the Best of the Legal Profession at its 2009 Annual Awards Luncheon
On Thursday, December 3rd, over 400 members of the legal community gathered to celebrate the best aspects of the profession at the Public Interest Law Initiative's Annual Awards Luncheon. The recipients of this year's awards are:

• Distinguished Public Service Award: Thomas F. Geraghty, Associate Dean for Clinical Education at Northwestern University School of Law;
• Distinguished Alumni Awards:Jesus Perez of Jesus Perez & Associates and Elizabeth Gibbons Lewis of McDermott Will & Emery LLP; and
• the Pro Bono Initiative Award: Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Professor Thomas Geraghty of Northwestern University School of Law was recognized with PILI's Distinguished Public Service Award.  In addition to his teaching, fund-raising, and administrative responsibilities, Professor Geraghty maintains an active caseload at Northwestern University School of Law's Bluhm Legal Clinic, where he also serves as the Clinic's Director.  His case work concentrates primarily in criminal and juvenile defense, death penalty appeals, and child-centered projects that deal with the representation of children and with much-needed juvenile court reform.

Read on in this newsletter for information about the other award recipients.  Click here for more information about the event, our sponsors, and the award recipients.

Photo: Northwestern University School of Law Professor, Thomas F. Geraghty, PILI's Distinguished Public Service Award recipient delivers remarks at the 2009 Annual Awards Luncheon. 

PILI Hires New Development Associate
Alex Kliner has been hired as PILI's new Development Associate.  Alex is a recent transplant to Chicago from Washington, DC. Most recently, Alex worked as Development and Awards Associate at the American Society of Hematology. Alex holds a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from Towson University. A member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Alex is currently pursuing a CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation. Alex is an ardent supporter of the arts and frequently volunteers with small arts organizations to steer their fundraising efforts.

PILI Goes Web 2.0!
PILI has joined the online professional and social networking world and invites you to connect with us.  This is a great way to stay in touch with PILI and supporters of PILI and its mission.  We have established a group on Martindale-Hubbell Connected.  PILI has also established a group on LinkedIn with a special subgroup for PILI Alumni.  PILI has also created a fan page on Facebook.  Show your support for PILI by joining our groups.  Follow the links in the right sidebar of this newsletter.

PILI Interns (first or second year law students) and PILI Fellows (recent law school graduates) work in and learn about public interest law, and begin what PILI hopes is a lifelong commitment to public interest law and pro bono work. Below is the latest news about PILI's Internship and Fellowship Programs.  Visit PILI's website to learn more about the Internship and Fellowship Programs.


PILI Spring and Summer 2010 Law Student Internship Application Process Now Open
The Spring and Summer 2010 application process is open for PILI's Internship Program.  The Spring application process opened on November 1, 2009 and will close on December 31st.  The  Summer application period opened on December 1, 2009 and will be open through March 31st, or until every eligible agency has completed its hiring. Applications are accepted online for both Spring and Summer Internships.  Read more...

Today, over 3,000 law students and graduates have participated in PILI's Internship and Fellowship Programs. The Alumni Program maintains the connection between these public interest lawyers, PILI and the public interest law community. Below is the latest news about PILI's Alumni Program.  Visit PILI's website to learn more about its Alumni Program.


Final PILI Alumni Program and Reception of 2009 A Succcess
On Wednesday, November 18th, PILI held its third alumni programming event of the year, which was hosted by PILI Alumni and Board Member, Patrick Gallagher's firm, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP.  The program, entitled "Lawyer to Leader: Volunteer Management Skills for the Public Interest Law Attorney," featured Ann Rich, Executive Director of Chicago Life Opportunities Initiative.  The program was followed by an informal networking reception.  The Alumni Programming Team is now planning for 2010, so stay tuned for information about future alumni programming.

PILI Alumni in the News: Justin Heather
PILI Alumni and Co-Chair of PILI's Programming Team, Justin L. Heather, is to be recognized by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division with their National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.  Justin is an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where he is an extremely committed pro bono attorney.  He is also active in the American, Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations and serves on the boards of several other legal aid organizations.  Congratulations Justin!

Get Involved in PILI's Alumni Program and Join an Alumni Project Team
PILI is always looking for former Interns and Fellows to work with us on our Alumni Program.  In addition to the Alumni Circle, the program's leadership group, there are also several project teams on which we would welcome your involvement.  Our current teams include, Mentoring, Programming and Development.  Read more...

Alumni Spotlight:  2006 PILI Fellow, Elizabeth Gibbons Lewis
After graduating from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2006, Elizabeth served as a PILI Graduate Fellow at Loyola's ChildLaw Clinic, sponsored by the law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery.  Since her Fellowship's conclusion, she has remained extremely dedicated to public interest work and community service and serves as a member of McDermott's Pro Bono and Community Service Committee and as the liaison and coordinator in Chicago for McDermott's Kids First Initiative. Read more...

Alumni Spotlight:  1992 PILI Intern, Jesus Perez
A 1992 PILI Intern at Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS), today Jesus Perez runs his own law firm in the Brighton Park neighborhood of Chicago. Ever since his Internship's conclusion, he has remained extremely dedicated to serving his community and actively involved with the agency at which he did his Internship.  The youngest of eight children born to Mexican immigrants, Jesus overcame many obstacles to achieve his goal of becoming an attorney. Read more...

Pro Bono Spotlight: Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Contributing to organizations that support local communities has always been a top priority at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Now more than ever, with the recent economic downturn, Kirkland - recognizing that the need for civil legal services is particularly acute- has refocused and reenergized its pro bono program, encouraging greater numbers of Kirkland attorneys and staff to serve more pro bono clients.  In recognition of the many significant contributions that the firm has made, PILI presented its Pro Bono Initiaitve Award to Kirkland & Ellis at its 2009 Annual Awards Luncheon.  Read more...

Photo: (L to R) Partner, Terrence J. Dee, received the 2009 PILI Pro Bono Initiative on behalf of Kirkland & Ellis LLP from the Honorable Ruben Castillo, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Extended Placement Update
In Illinois, there have been approximately 50 extended public interest law placements.  These individuals come from law firms around the country and have had their start date deferred, their employment offer revoked, been laid-off, or opted to participate in their firm's sabbatical program.  Information for candidates, law firms and agencies is available on our website.  Read more...