A Shout-Out to Marquette Members of the Annual AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll

The Association of American Law Schools (AALS), through its Pro Bono & Access to Justice Section, will soon release its fourth annual Pro Bono Honor Roll. This national recognition celebrates law students, staff, and faculty for their outstanding contributions to pro bono legal services.

This year, Marquette University Law School is proud to recognize Karli Ring, a second-year law student, Mindy Schroeder, program assistant to the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinics (MVLC), and Bruce Boyden, associate professor of law. A word of two about their pro bono efforts will help illustrate the broader efforts of the Marquette Law School community.

Karli Ring, a second-year law student, is a reliable presence at the MVLC, often stepping in at the last minute when other students have been unable to cover a shift. This fall, she committed to a standing weekly  shift at the United Community Center, where she helps lead operations. Karli takes on a wide range of responsibilities—setting up clinic space, prescreening clients, identifying legal issues, matching clients with volunteer teams, and making referrals as needed. A U.S. Army veteran (she served as a paratrooper), Karli brings discipline and a deep commitment to public service. She is inclined toward litigation after law school. In the meantime, she remains an essential member of the MVLC team.

Mindy Schroeder is at the heart of the United Community Center branch of the MVLC, one of the busiest clinic sites. Each week, this two-hour clinic serves dozens of clients, nearly half of whom are monolingual Spanish-speakers, and offers help with immigration matters as well as family and civil issues. Mindy oversees the entire operation—coordinating volunteers, managing client flow, and ensuring that every person who walks through the door feels welcome and supported. Her bilingual skills allow her to connect directly with Spanish-speaking clients, while her care for both clients and volunteers creates a positive, professional, and highly efficient environment. Thanks to Mindy’s steady leadership and top-notch style, this fast-paced clinic runs smoothly and remains a trusted resource for the community.

Bruce Boyden has championed the pro bono involvement of both lawyers and law students through his work on the Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee. As part of this effort, law students assist the committee by reviewing Section 1983 cases, filed by incarcerated individuals, that the court has designated as cases that would especially benefit from the assistance of an attorney. Students review pleadings and discovery and then draft memos summarizing the cases. This work helps committee members evaluate cases as they seek to secure pro bono representation for each such plaintiff.

We extend our sincere congratulations and gratitude to Karli Ring, Mindy Schroeder, and Professor Boyden, along with all members of the Marquette community who seek to “Be The Difference” through pro bono efforts.

Read about past awardees here (2022), here (2023), and here (2024).

Continue ReadingA Shout-Out to Marquette Members of the Annual AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll

PILS Fellows: A Summer of Service and Impact

Law School LogoPublic Interest Law Society (PILS) fellowships are more than summer jobs—they are immersive experiences that place students directly in the heart of legal practice and community need. PILS Fellows gain hands-on exposure to the challenges and responsibilities of lawyering, developing practical skills while also deepening their understanding of justice, equity, and advocacy. This experiential learning, even outside the curriculum, transforms classroom lessons into lived realities, shaping students into future lawyers who are both capable and committed to serving the public good.

The summer of 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary for Marquette Law School’s Public Interest Law Society Fellows. Nineteen students devoted more than 6,650 hours of service across 12 public interest organizations and agencies. At a time when the need for public interest lawyers has never been greater, our Fellows stepped into the justice gaps—delivering life-changing legal help while also becoming the kind of justice-driven advocates our communities urgently need.

Continue ReadingPILS Fellows: A Summer of Service and Impact

Marquette Members of the Third Annual AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll

The Association of American Law Schools (AALS), through its Pro Bono & Access to Justice Section, will soon release its third annual Pro Bono Honor Roll. This initiative recognizes students, staff, and faculty at law schools across the nation for their exceptional contributions to pro bono legal services.

It is my privilege to announce this year’s selectees for Marquette University Law School: Diego Romero, a second-year law student, Maggie Klatt, program assistant to the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinics (MVLC), and Anne Berleman Kearney, director of clinical education and clinical professor of law. Each has been selected for outstanding dedication to pro bono service:

  • Diego Romero, 2L, has become a key figure at the MVLC’s United Community Center (UCC) clinic. Over the summer and into the fall, he has committed to a weekly shift, where he has demonstrated both reliability and leadership. Diego handles a variety of essential tasks, including prescreening clients, determining the legal issues presented, and serving as a Spanish-English interpreter when needed. His dedication and skills make him an invaluable member of the MVLC team at the UCC.
  • Maggie Klatt plays a critical role in the daily operations of the MVLC, ensuring that the program runs smoothly and effectively. As program assistant, Maggie coordinates the schedules of hundreds of volunteer attorneys and law students, facilitates clear communication, and ensures that any number of accounts or systems are properly managed. She offers direct support to clients by coordinating clinics at the Veterans Service Office and the Milwaukee Justice Center, as well as providing referrals to legal aid organizations. Maggie’s responsiveness and dedication ensure that both volunteers and clients receive the support they need.
  • Anne Berleman Kearney has distinguished herself in two respects. One is her consistent advocacy for pro bono work as an integral part of students’ professional development and her commitment to educating students on the importance of such service. The other is her direct engagement in the work. Anne regularly volunteers for pro bono work herself. This fall, for example, she is supervising an adult guardianship forms clinic at the Milwaukee Justice Center, demonstrating her hands-on commitment to fostering access to justice—and helping people. She also serves as the vice chair of the Milwaukee County Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations and deepest gratitude to Professor Kearney, Maggie, Diego, and all members of the Marquette community who embody the spirit of “Be The Difference” through their pro bono and public service efforts.

Read about past awardees here (2022) and here (2023).

Continue ReadingMarquette Members of the Third Annual AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll
Older Posts