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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 14 students working in public service and public interest organizations this summer. Students worked over 5,000 hours helping these organizations provide access to the justice system and serving marginalized communities.  ​

  • Christine Follenwider   Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
  • De'Avion Hughes    Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
  • Alka Meresh       Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the General Counsel
  • Melissa Needlman  2nd District Appellate Defender in Elgin
  • Emma Soglin       Moran Center for Youth Advocacy
  • Sylvia Waz        Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
  • Joshua George     Lake County States Attorney's Office
  • Ross Leavitt      Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
  • Taylor Love       Federal Defender Program      
  • Kystal Vezzetti    Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
  • Robert Dwyer      Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
  • Haley Miller      Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
  • Alyssa White      Cook County States's Attorney's Office
  • Olivia Stinson-Smith    Shoenberger Public Interest Foundation​
Center for Public Interest Law
DePaul University College of Law
25 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
cpil@depaul.edu
(312) 362-7212