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Center for Public Interest Law

​​​Founded in 2006, the Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) has become a fixture at DePaul University College of Law. The center offers a broad array of programs that continue to mark DePaul as a leading institution in both public interest curriculum and programs. At DePaul, public interest and public service are at the heart of the law school experience, which is what truly distinguishes CPIL from other public interest law programs.

Public interest lawyers work for legal service organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies that focus their mission and practice on helping low-income, marginalized, or vulnerable populations.  Public interest law is tremendously broad covering a wide variety of social justice issues, including civil rights, immigration, domestic violence, racial equality, and more.

For more information: What_is_Public_Interest_Law.pdf (equaljusticeworks.org)​

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Public Interest Summer Success

The Center for Public Interest Law, the Cudahy Fund, the Division of Mission & Ministry, the Public Interest Law Association and Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea supported 28 students working in public service and public interest organizations this summer. Students worked over 8,000 hours helping these organizations provide access to the justice system and serving marginalized communities.  ​

Olivia Ajero - Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

Maureen Andersen - Office of the Cook County Public Guardian

Michelle Barrera -Valenzuela - Environmental Law Center

Nell Brennan - Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

Alexandra Colon - Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender

Mariya Driscoll - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

James Fleming - Agents of Hope

Joshua George - Navy JAG Corps

Gabrielle Giangrande - Center for Disability and Elder Law

Claire Harmening - Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender

Madeline Hudson - Shriver National Center on Poverty Law

Daniel Jackson - Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender

Heidi Job - Office of the State Appellate Defender

Jay Kasperbauer - Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

Daniel Kinstedt - Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender

Madalynne Kowalik - Grand Rapids Public Defender's Office

Grace Lundy - The James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy

Haley Miller - State's Attorney's Office of Criminal Appeals Division

Alison Morales - Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

Melissa Needleman - Access Living

Sarah Pitre - Women's Justice Institute, Ascend Justice

Lashae Prins - Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

Kianni Robinson - First Defense Legal Aid

John Schloegel - Lake County Assistant State's Attorney's Office

Ariana Thao - Office of the Illinois Attorney General

Erica Thomas - Office of the Cook County Public Guardian

Krystal Vezzetti - Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender

Alyssa White - Cook County State's Attorney's Office in Domestic Violence Court

David White - First Defense Legal Aid

Center for Public Interest Law
DePaul University College of Law
25 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
cpil@depaul.edu
(312) 362-7212