In 2026, generous donors made this possible:
Join the PILS Giving Challenge: Make a Gift
The Public Interest Law Society (PILS) is a student organization that works to support law students interested in exploring careers in public interest law. Fellows are supported by the annual PILS Giving Challenge Days donors.
The Students and Organizations Your Gift Supports
 | Noah Anders My summer with the Office of the State Appellate Defender showed me firsthand how important appellate advocacy is in protecting constitutional rights and ensuring fairness in the criminal justice system. Through legal research, brief writing, oral argument preparation, and direct client communication, I gained invaluable experience while helping ensure that individuals were provided their Sixth Amendment right to counsel. |
 | Sophia Bern As a PILS Fellow with the Public Defender’s Office, I met with clients daily, collaborated with attorneys, and helped provide strong representation regardless of a client’s ability to pay. I learned the importance of candid legal advice, thorough and zealous representation, and showing the court that a client is more than the charge against them. |
 | Jaydon Bott Working with Legal Action of Wisconsin’s Eviction Defense Project showed me how meaningful access to legal information and advocacy can be, especially for people facing the loss of their homes. It was amazing to help tenants remain in their homes and, in some cases, recover damages from their landlords. |
 | Makenzie Branch I am so thankful to have spent my summer with the Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office. I focused on employment matters, gained exposure to administrative law proceedings, and saw immense growth in my legal writing while knowing that my work product was valued. |
 | Kelsey Cahill My PILS Fellowship with the Wisconsin Department of Justice provided invaluable, real-time courtroom experience that strengthened my advocacy for victims of gun violence. I learned to trust my preparation, think on my feet, and speak with confidence, further motivating me to pursue a career in public interest law. |
 | Madeline Charles My work in the housing unit at Legal Action of Wisconsin had an immediate and tangible impact on the lives of Milwaukee residents. Representing tenants in court and helping prevent evictions transformed me from a law student into a lifelong advocate for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. |
 | Abigail Drake Legal Action of Wisconsin’s commitment to providing civil legal services to those who need them most makes a difference in countless lives. I am grateful that my PILS Fellowship allowed me to further that mission, gain invaluable experience in several areas of law, and witness firsthand the impact of bridging the justice gap. |
 | Sara Erickson My summer with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office was extremely fulfilling and gave me a realistic glimpse into the work I hope to pursue. I witnessed how the criminal justice system operates, gained a deeper appreciation for the roles that support fairness and public safety, and learned from the different approaches of many Assistant District Attorneys. |
 | Amanda Eve My summer with Legal Action of Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Housing Unit was nothing short of incredible. Representing clients in court strengthened my negotiation and advocacy skills while allowing me to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of people across Milwaukee County. |
 | Ben Fox My time at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office strengthened my confidence and understanding of criminal prosecution as I prepared to begin my second year of law school. The attorneys helped me develop my legal research and writing skills and better understand how prosecution can contribute to a safer community. |
 | Molly Fraser At Kids Matter Inc., I participated in each step of minor guardianship proceedings, attended home visits, and coordinated donations for families. The experience gave me tangible skills that will help me contribute to my community through both legal and humanitarian work, and it would not have been possible without PILS funding. |
 | Sydney Geboy My experience with Colorado’s 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office was incredibly informative and rewarding. Through research, writing, and assisting Deputy District Attorneys, I gained valuable skills and a deeper understanding of the complexities of prosecution, the criminal justice system, and how justice can look different in every case. |
 | Vanessa Hurtado During my summer with Esperanza, I helped people apply for many different forms of immigration relief, from asylum to visas. I gained hands-on experience, learned from amazing attorneys, and was able to make a positive difference in people’s lives while strengthening my commitment to advocating for immigrants. |
 | Jack Kapsner At the Barron County District Attorney’s Office, I gained practical experience in the criminal justice system and saw how the attorney shortage in rural Wisconsin affects access to justice for both victims and defendants. The dedication of the staff and attorneys inspired me and cemented my desire to pursue rural prosecution. |
 | Olivia Lillegard My experience with Legal Action of Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Housing Unit and Eviction Defense Project was immensely rewarding. I was able to make a real difference for tenants by identifying defenses, understanding clients’ goals, and representing them in court, and I have continued volunteering with the project since my fellowship ended. |
 | Eva Markey Working at the Wisconsin Department of Justice allowed me to address nuanced legal questions involving criminal law and see how my work assisted attorneys. I also contributed to a comprehensive prosecutorial misconduct manual that will help prosecutors across Wisconsin understand what conduct is permitted. |
 | Vanessa Morales My experience at LOTUS Legal Clinic reinforced my passion for public interest law and the importance of approaching every client with compassion and dignity. It was incredibly meaningful to use my Spanish-language skills to assist clients with immigration matters and support survivors pursuing stability and a path forward. |
 | Noah Mualem As a PILS Fellow with the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, I drafted litigation materials and worked directly with clients facing eviction. The experience underscored the importance of expanding access to legal assistance for people navigating housing crises and gave me invaluable, hands-on insight into real-world dispute resolution. |
 | Nash Pallen At Legal Action of Wisconsin, I worked with the Volunteer Lawyers Project on consumer debt defense and bankruptcy matters. Whether I was communicating with clients, drafting motions, or conducting research, I felt that I was helping people in the Milwaukee community in a meaningful way. |
 | Jack Parkos My work in the Domestic Violence Unit provided practical legal experience while reminding me why I felt called to the law: to pursue justice and help people in my community. I especially learned the importance of approaching victims and witnesses with empathy and explaining the legal process to those encountering it during extremely difficult circumstances. |
 | William Restis My time with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office provided invaluable courtroom experience and the opportunity to sharpen my legal research and writing skills. By preparing and prosecuting cases, questioning witnesses, and appearing on the record, I gained hands-on experience advocating for victims and helping ensure that justice was served. |
 | Katie Rickert-Kauffman I was deeply grateful to return to Legal Action of Wisconsin and support both the Victim Services Project and its free legal clinics, helping neighbors overcome barriers to housing and employment. The Public Interest Law Society Fellowship allowed me to continue this advocacy, dive more deeply into cases, and expand my community outreach. |
 | Carlos Sanchez As a PILS Fellow with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, I experienced everything I could have wished for and more. I was able to have a positive impact on the community through my work, and that made the entire summer worthwhile. |
 | Aidan Shannon At Friends of the San Juans, I gained a deeper understanding of local government and the role nonprofit organizations can play in educating, organizing, and empowering people. I used my legal skills to translate local zoning regulations into meaningful conversations about affordable housing and community character. |
 | Jayla Simon This summer, I had the privilege of working with Detroit’s felony public defender office, where I helped protect constitutional rights and support equal justice regardless of a person’s ability to pay. I am incredibly grateful to have strengthened my advocacy and problem-solving skills in the inspiring environment fostered by Neighborhood Defender Service and the city of Detroit. |
 | Tait Szabo Working at Legal Action of Wisconsin gave me the opportunity to help people facing barriers to basic needs such as housing and employment. Serving people in need was incredibly rewarding and helped me appreciate the impact legal advocacy can have in helping people overcome significant challenges in their daily lives. |
 | Annie Schauer At the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, I helped advocate for victims who are among the most vulnerable in our society and whose voices are often silenced. Walking alongside victims through difficult court proceedings showed me how much it matters to listen and give people space to tell their stories. |
 | Joshua Trembly My summer with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office provided an incredible opportunity to learn courtroom practice, appear on the record, and represent the State of Wisconsin. Working in the Drug Unit, I gained hands-on litigation experience while helping ensure accountability, protect defendants’ rights, and contribute to the fair administration of justice. |
 | Olivia Villarreal At the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, I worked with the Family Court Guardian ad Litem team to advocate for children and support decisions made in their best interests. The PILS Fellowship allowed me to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in a field dedicated to helping children. |
 | Rhea Waghray My time at Legal Action of Wisconsin was both educational and extremely rewarding. I gained a deeper understanding of how challenging the legal system can be for people seeking financial and housing stability, while working directly with clients and playing a small role in helping them move forward. |
 | Henry Wehrs At Legal Action of Wisconsin, I worked primarily on bankruptcy and consumer defense cases, with many opportunities to work one-on-one with clients and strengthen my writing and research skills. With the excellent mentorship of my supervisors, I helped secure positive outcomes for clients and learned from attorneys and staff who modeled diligent advocacy. |
 | Allison Wiederin It was an honor to work in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office Felony Trial Division, where I had the opportunity to contribute to cases, learn from dedicated and zealous advocates, and see firsthand the importance of thoughtful representation. Through legal research, motion drafting, investigations, and client-focused work, I gained invaluable experience in criminal defense. |
 | Brittany Wieland At Centro Legal, I gained courtroom experience and strengthened my oral advocacy skills while learning what it truly means to advocate for a client. It was life-changing to help survivors of domestic violence obtain legal protections, leave abusive marriages, or secure custody of their children. |