Chicago-Kent Public Interest Center

Do you have an upcoming public interest summer internship and want to know more about what to expect? Join us this Wednesday from 3-4 PM in room C40 for the panel hosted by the Chicago-Kent College of Law, Office of Career Development and Professionalism on “How to Succeed in Your Public Sector Legal Summer”! There will be Chicago-Kent alums that work in legal aid organizations, government agencies, and judicial clerkships to answer your questions, as well as explain employee expectations, how to navigate common and more complex workplace situations, and practical strategies to help you contribute effectively from the start. This panel is open to everyone, but is especially helpful for 1L’s or anyone who might be working a public interest position for the first time. Don’t take advantage of this excellent opportunity to be the best law clerk, intern, or extern you can be!

The time is almost here! Register now for our 2026 Public Interest Awards on April 22nd using the QR code or the link below. We hope to see you there!

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=PmWQ2gIeCEK2imIkiRvqY_jWMNeMDm5OpBjQfvydd4dUOUtPSElZWDRFUkZNMlFQVE9PRDZISjUwMCQlQCN0PWcu

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED‼️
Join us at our monthly Legal Aid Chicago Austin Clinic next Tuesday, 2/24 from 4:00-7:30!! Sign up is available on the QR code!

🌟 Interested in a funded public interest internship?

Join us—NEXT WEEK—on October 1st from 3:00-4:00 pm in room C20 to learn how to prepare your 2026 Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) application! PILI is a fantastic way for students to receive funding for their public interest internship.

We are thrilled to bring this event to our students, co-sponsored by the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), Chicago-Kent College of Law, Office of Career Development and Professionalism, and the Kent Justice Foundation.

This event will feature a legal aid attorney, a Chicago-Kent PILI Intern, and a Chicago-Kent PILI Fellow.

Public Service Day was amazing! We were excited to partner with 11 legal aid and non-profit organizations and to have such an enthusiastic group of incoming first-year law students ready to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. Thank you to our community partners, volunteer team leaders, and new law students for inspiring us with your commitment to make access to justice a reality. We are excited to have you at Chicago-Kent!

Welcome, First-Year Law Students!
Congratulations and a warm welcome to Chicago-Kent College of Law! Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your academic and professional journey. As you step into orientation, you’re joining a vibrant community committed to excellence, innovation, and justice.
This week is your chance to connect—meet your classmates, engage with your professors, and explore the many resources that will support you throughout law school. The Public Interest Center is so excited for all first-year students to join us during Public Service Day this week!
Ask questions, make connections, and start building the foundation for your legal career. Remember: every great lawyer started exactly where you are today—full of anticipation, curiosity, and determination. We’re thrilled to have you here and can’t wait to see what you will accomplish.
Here’s to your first day, and to the many successes ahead.
The Public Interest Center welcomes you to Chicago-Kent!

2025 Race Judicata - Sprint for Justice

Join the Chicago-Kent team at the annual 5k run/walk - Race Judicata! This fundraiser for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) includes teams of lawyers from across Chicago.

Interested in joining the Chicago-Kent team? The cost to join is $43.85 if you register by July 25th, and $49.18 if you register between July 26-August 8 - proceeds support CVLS.

Steps:
1.    Register here, select “pay for myself,” and join the Chicago-Kent College of Law Public Interest Center team.
2.    We will have Chicago-Kent T-Shirts! By July 30th, please send your t-shirt size to the Public Interest Center email, [email protected]
Questions? Ask the Public Interest Center.

We are thrilled to celebrate by awarding our very own Joseph Strom with the Vivien C. Gross Pro Bono & Public Interest Award! Thank you for all your outstanding pro bono and public interest work during your past three years at Chicago-Kent.

Please join us on Tomorrow at the 2025 Public Interest Awards to celebrate our remarkable students 🌟  

RSVP here: bit.ly/piawards2025

We are elated to celebrate the Cook County Public Defender by awarding them our signature honor: the Ronald W. Staudt Public Interest Partner Award! Thank you for being such a fantastic community partner and for providing our students with invaluable experiences.

Please join us on April 22nd at the 2025 Public Interest Awards to celebrate our excellent community partner 🌟

RSVP here: bit.ly/piawards2025

We are pleased to celebrate our students who’ve earned the prestigious Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Summer Fellowship Program & Kent Justice Foundation Summer Fellowship Program through their commitment to public interest work!

Please join us on April 22nd at the 2025 Public Interest Awards to celebrate many of our students who’ve dedicated their time to public interest and pro bono work during their time at Chicago-Kent 🌟

RSVP here: bit.ly/piawards2025

Join us on April 22nd at the 2025 Public Interest Awards to celebrate our students who’ve dedicated their time to pro bono work during their time at Chicago-Kent 🌟 The Certificate of Service, Dean’s Distinguished Public Service Award, and Dean’s Exemplary Public Service Award are some of the many fantastic awards to be celebrated!