Chicago-Kent College of Law held its fourth annual Public Service Day as part of 1L Orientation Week, offering incoming students the chance to volunteer with local organizations and engage with the city. The event is organized by the college’s Public Interest Center, which aims to expand pro bono and community service opportunities for students and support careers in public interest law.
During the event, Assistant Teaching Professor Alexander Rabanal addressed first-year students, stating, “I would bet that most of you came to law school wanting to make the world a better place.” Students volunteered at 11 partner organizations, including the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness and the Center for Disability and Elder Law. Morgan Lewis ’28 participated at the Pilsen Food Pantry and remarked, “It feels like the law school has a greater purpose. Being a law student is being part of your community, and Public Service Day is a great avenue to explore that.”
Before heading out to their assignments, students were invited to take the Pro Bono Pledge—a commitment to complete 50 hours of community service during their time at Chicago-Kent. This year saw a record 83 percent of attending students sign up for the pledge, an increase from 75 percent in 2024.
Michelle Vodenik, director of the Public Interest Center, set an ambitious goal for this academic year: for Chicago-Kent students to perform 10,000 hours of community service. At Public Service Day alone, 227 first-year students and 20 upper-division volunteers contributed a total of 741 volunteer hours. Vodenik told attendees, “Law students are uniquely positioned to help people. Being a lawyer is a privilege and an opportunity.”