Volunteering for Change: Northwestern Pritzker Law’s Day of Service Highlights Commitment to Justice

On August 24, 2024, more than 200 Northwestern Pritzker School of Law students stepped out of the classroom and gathered at Chicago-area nonprofits, parks, schools, and beaches. Wearing purple and grey law school tees, they participated in pro bono activities around the city, cleaning up bird sanctuaries, conducting legal aid client intake, and packing children’s school supplies as part of the Public Interest Center’s Orientation Day of Service.

The students, representing the JD, LLM, and MSL programs, volunteered more than 580 hours in a single day for 10 different organizations, including the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Metropolitan Family Services, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Legal Prep Charter School, and Cradles to Crayons.

Leah Gould, Assistant Dean of Public Interest, kicked off the day on campus with a jokey icebreaker, reciting the Rule Against Perpetuities. “Exciting, right? Isn’t that why you came to law school?” she asked. “Wait, that’s not why you came to law school?” In her remarks, Gould highlighted the significance of pro bono activities. “These experiences allow you to engage directly with real-world issues and clients who benefit from legal assistance — and reinforce our commitment as a country to justice and the rule of law.”

Before breaking off to engage in their chosen service projects led by 2 and 3Ls, the students listened to speakers representing available pro bono opportunities who provided overviews of their organizations, including Ascend Justice, Women’s Justice Institute, Seigle Immigration Clinic for Immigrant Youth and Families, Center on Disability and Elder Law, International Refugee Assistance Project, the Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness, and the Center on Wrongful Convictions.

At Cabrini Green Legal Aid, students reviewed opportunities to seal or expunge potential clients’ criminal history records. They followed up accordingly if they were eligible. The Public Interest Center has also recently partnered with Legal Aid Chicago to provide free legal advice to individuals in the North Lawndale community, where demand for free or low-cost legal services outweighs the limited resources of the legal aid community. There, Northwestern Pritzker Law students partner with Winston Strawn attorneys to conduct intake interviews and present the information to attorneys from Legal Aid Chicago (Interested students can sign up for upcoming clinics in November and December here).

Afterwards, the students anonymously provided feedback on their service projects, many expressing appreciation for the dynamic, informal way to get to know their classmates during orientation and the early introduction to organizations for which they intended to work during law school. An LLM student especially appreciated the chance to volunteer for the Center on Wrongful Convictions, which gave them greater insight into the US justice system.

Northwestern Pritzker Law’s Public Interest Center oversees the pro bono program, provides career advising to JD students who pursue public interest opportunities, and administers financial programs to make those opportunities more feasible for everyone. “Public interest attorneys frequently handle a broad practice that can include litigation, policy advocacy, and community education,” Gould said in her opening remarks. “This breadth of experience offers a comprehensive understanding of the legal and social issues at hand, fostering skills in legal strategy, client counseling, and grassroots mobilization. Such exposure equips attorneys with practical knowledge and a versatile skill set that is more dynamic and contextually rich than the strict hierarchical structure found in law firms allows.”

She closed by reminding students how working in public interest law can foster a deep sense of personal fulfillment. “The tangible impact of helping individuals and communities navigate legal challenges and improve their circumstances often results in a gratifying career experience that goes beyond financial rewards. When you’re bogged down learning the Rule Against Perpetuities, writing legal memoranda or briefs, or studying for exams, staying connected with the Public Interest Center through pro bono or public service projects will help you remember why you’re here.”