Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Institute of Technology has received a $1.5 million donation from alumnus Bryce Hensley, a founding partner at Gould Grieco & Hensley. The contribution is intended to strengthen the law school’s Advocacy Program, which is currently ranked 12th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Hensley, who graduated magna cum laude in 2017 and previously captained the Trial Advocacy team, explained his motivation for the gift: “Chicago-Kent provided me with the foundation to advocate for others at the highest level,” said Hensley. “Whether I am at trial or working up to trial, I find myself still utilizing the skills I learned at Chicago-Kent to achieve life-changing results for my clients and their families. Through the Advocacy Program, I learned invaluable lessons—both inside and outside the courtroom—from dozens of volunteer lawyers and judges that devoted their time and energy to ensuring I had the confidence to walk into a courtroom right out of law school and hold my own with and against some of the top lawyers around the country. Kent’s Trial Team equipped me for my career better than I could have ever imagined, and I’m eager to pay that forward, ensuring that the next generation of trial lawyers and advocates has access to the same transformative opportunities that I did.”
At age 34, Hensley has built a national reputation through work on cases involving toxic exposures, institutional sexual abuse, personal injury litigation, and other high-profile matters such as representing clients from the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting and various environmental lawsuits in Illinois. He has secured more than $670 million in recoveries for clients.
Jason J. Czarnezki, dean of Chicago-Kent College of Law, commented on Hensley's contribution: “Bryce embodies the best of Chicago-Kent: excellence in advocacy, leadership in the profession, and a dedication to finding justice for his clients,” said Czarnezki. “His extraordinary generosity will enhance our ability to provide hands-on experiential training that prepares our students not just to compete, but to lead in the courtroom and beyond.”
Judge David A. Erickson serves as director of Chicago-Kent’s Trial Advocacy Program and was recognized by Hensley as an influential mentor during his education. Judge Erickson remarked: “Bryce was an excellent student whose talent and relentless passion for mentoring others on the trial team exemplified the mission of Chicago-Kent's advocacy program,” said Erickson. “It’s not surprising to see his dedication pay off as a leader in the profession. His generosity will have a lasting impact on our program and on generations of Chicago-Kent trial lawyers.”
The Advocacy Program includes participation in national competitions for trial advocacy; appellate advocacy teams ranked 21st nationally by Kurth Moot Court Rankings (2024–25); mediation; arbitration; and sports law competitions. In recent years—including 2024–25—Chicago-Kent teams have achieved multiple championships such as sweeping Midwest Regionals en route to sending two teams to National Trial Competition finals, winning both National Medical-Legal Trial Competition and Queens County Mock Trial Competition.
“Advocacy is at the heart of what it means to be a lawyer,” adds Hensley. “It’s about standing up for others, using the law to create change, and giving a voice to those who might not otherwise be heard. Chicago-Kent made this all possible for me, and I’m proud to contribute to the effort to make it possible for others.”
Illinois Institute of Technology is recognized as Chicago’s only technology-focused university offering degrees across engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science/human sciences—and law—while providing students with practical experiences through its Elevate program.
Chicago-Kent remains notable as one of few law schools affiliated with a tech university—a relationship that allows graduates exposure both academically and professionally within rapidly changing technological fields.