Chicago-Kent College of Law

Welcome to the Chicago-Kent School of Law, part of our new Professional Futures College at Illinois Tech.

This new chapter integrates legal education with technology, ethics, policy, and advocacy to address the legal landscapes of tomorrow. You’ll cultivate practical courtroom and regulatory skills to protect rights, guide legal policy, and navigate complex challenges at the intersection of law and technology.

The name is new, but our commitment to preparing students for what’s next is stronger than ever.

Learn more about the future of Illinois Tech at iit.edu/futures

Every road project tells a bigger story.

For Joseph V. Healy '05, every construction project represents the thousands of union workers building stronger communities across Chicago. As Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Laborers' District Council, LiUNA, Healy advocates for more than 20,000 laborers whose work keeps critical infrastructure running and improves everyday life for families throughout the region.

After earning his Labor and Employment Certificate at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Healy built a career dedicated to serving others through legislative work, personal injury law, private practice, and labor advocacy. Today, he helps negotiate contracts, protect fair wages, improve workplace safety, and advance opportunities for workers across the Chicago area.

Chicago-Kent's nationally recognized labor and employment program helped prepare Healy for a career focused on creating meaningful change, while its strong alumni network continues to shape the future of the labor movement.

Read Healy's story here: https://bit.ly/4vCdIe9

Finding your purpose can shape the kind of lawyer you become. For Casey Ciulla '26, that purpose is advocating for domestic violence survivors and vulnerable families. Through a semester-long externship with Life Span, hands-on learning opportunities, and a rigorous legal education, Ciulla is building the skills and experience to pursue a career in family law.
Along the way, she's found a supportive community, meaningful mentorship, and opportunities to grow both inside and outside the classroom.
Read more about Casey's journey: https://bit.ly/4ywgZyo

Not every career path is linear, and that's what makes the journey interesting. Before founding The Prinz Law Firm, Kristen Prinz '06 worked in marketing and the startup industry before discovering a passion for law.
Her story highlights how embracing unexpected opportunities, finding your niche, and building meaningful connections can shape a fulfilling career.
Discover more about Kristen's story: https://bit.ly/4pwArqC

You never know where one opportunity can lead you. Lauren Shelton '27 is discovering new possibilities in law through hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities that are helping shape her future career.
During the academic term, Shelton clerks at Bond & Botes Law Offices, where she works on bankruptcy matters and federal criminal defense cases, two areas of law she never expected to explore.
Through working with real clients, guidance from professors, and practical legal experiences, Shelton is gaining a deeper understanding of different areas of law while building the skills and confidence to create a career path that reflects her interests.
Read more about Shelton’s journey in law: https://bit.ly/4fy9gZ5

Cierra Potter’26 is building her legal career around one focus: advocating for survivors of domestic violence.
Drawn to Chicago-Kent College of Law for its trial advocacy reputation, she has since competed in national trial competitions and earned Best Advocate in the Fall 2024 Trial Advocacy Intensive. Through the Civil Litigation Clinic, she gained early hands-on experience in drafting motions, discovery, and client intake, setting the foundation for her legal work.
That experience led to an internship with Life Span, a Chicago legal aid organization supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, followed by a fall externship that deepened her commitment to family law. She now looks ahead to a career advocating for survivors and shaping domestic violence policy.
Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4fa0O0O

What happens when the Supreme Court reshapes the rules of democracy?
In her latest SCOTUSblog column, Professor Carolyn Shapiro, Co-Director of the Institute on the Supreme Court of the United States, examines the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais and its impact on voting rights, redistricting, and democratic representation. Shapiro argues that the ruling significantly weakens protections under the Voting Rights Act and explores how the Constitution's Guarantee Clause could provide lawmakers with another tool to protect representative democracy.
Read Professor Shapiro's full analysis: https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/05/fighting-back-after-the-gutting-of-the-voting-rights-act-/

The Spring 2026 edition of Chicago-Kent Magazine is here!
This issue spotlights alumni making an impact across labor and employment law. Whether they're advocating for workers, advising employers, negotiating labor agreements, or shaping workplace policy, Chicago-Kent graduates are helping define the future of work.

Check out the full issue: https://issuu.com/illinois_tech/docs/chicago-kent_magazine_spring_2026