The Pro Bono & Community Service Initiative (PBCSI) held its annual service awards reception on April 12, 2017. This year, 74 law students earned a service award for reporting at least 50 hours of pro bono or community service work while at DePaul. This includes students who reported upwards of 100 and 200 hours of service.
The College of Law recognized 32 students with the Benjamin Hooks Distinguished Public Service Award, which is given to graduating students who report 200 or more service hours. In total, law students reported nearly 11,000 hours of service in the 2016 – 2017 academic year!
PBCSI also presented the 2017 Pro Bono Alumni Award to alumnus Joseph W. Pieper (JD ’88). Mr. Pieper currently runs his own practice, focusing his area of expertise in Probate, involving the administration and litigation of adult disabled estates, decedent’s estates, and minor’s estates, but still remains committed to pro bono work. Mr. Pieper has been involved with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) for the past 20 years. In 2002, he received the Distinguished Service Award from CVLS in recognition of the pro bono work that he has done for the organization. Mr. Pieper was also one of the attorneys featured in the September, 2011 issue of Chicago Lawyer in the magazine’s issue on pro bono work which was being done by Chicago area attorneys. He truly exemplifies the outstanding commitment and dedication to pro bono work that the Pro Bono Alumni Award recognizes.
Dean Jennifer Rosato-Perea addressed the students in attendance and emphasized the need for pro bono and community service work. She talked about how lawyers can make an impact, more now than ever, and encouraged students to continue their volunteer efforts while at DePaul and as they go on to becoming practicing attorneys.