The Housing Initiative Transactional Clinic was Ilana Lewis’s first choice for a clinical experience at the Law School. Lewis, ’26, developed an interest in real estate law during her 1L summer working as a summer associate at a big law firm. Heading into her 2L year, she was excited to explore this interest and seek opportunities to get exposure to real estate transactions. In particular, she was eager to build her comfort with complex deal documents and deepen her understanding of how transactions are structured.

Led by Clinical Professor Jeff Leslie, the Housing Initiative Transactional Clinic is one of the Law School’s 15 clinics. It tackles complex real estate development projects to build affordable housing. Clients include nonprofit, community-based affordable housing developers and housing cooperatives. Students working in this clinic serve as deal lawyers—something Lewis is seriously considering for her future career.

What are you working on in the Housing clinic?

I am currently working on the Pilsen Housing Cooperative’s (PIHCO) acquisition of 1754 and 1756 21^st Place properties in Pilsen. This transaction has the unique feature of being a collaboration between PIHCO, Schrieber Philanthropy, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority.  

What is your specific role in this project? 

Throughout my time on the project, I have had the opportunity to work alongside classmates at every stage of the process, from reviewing PIHCO’s articles of incorporation and helping them file for 501c3 status to attending a meeting of stakeholders to pitch the transaction structure, reviewing the underlying transaction contracts, and later this month, attending the final closing meeting where PIHCO will officially be granted the keys to the property. 

What are you learning through this experience? 

I have acquired a range of skills during my tenure with PIHCO. Two of the most notable have been the ability to better parse through complicated transaction documents, such as loan agreements, which are often lengthy and require close reading, and people skills. The Law School does a phenomenal job teaching us how to think, but the clinics give us a real opportunity to practice. With each closing call I participated in, I learned more about how to interact with my client and other attorneys, namely those representing other parties of the transaction. 

What is your biggest takeaway from your clinic work thus far?  

One of my biggest takeaways from working with PIHCO has been that no matter how “junior” you are, whether you’re just starting in legal practice or still a student, you can make a difference in your community, and it’s never too early to start. 

Is there anything that has surprised you about this experience? 

I think the biggest surprise for me has been how prepared I have felt to be a direct value-add to the client. Coming into the clinic, I assumed the things I had been learning in my other classes would not necessarily be relevant to my client, and that a lot of my time in the clinic would be spent observing my professor. However, I have been pleasantly surprised to see just how relevant the intuitions I have been building through my other courses have been and how much they have come in handy when having to advise the client on the fly. I have felt like a valuable contributing member of the team. PIHCO often directs questions directly to me and my fellow students. It has been great to see how much my work is making an actual difference. 

How has this experience changed your view of the law, the legal system, and/or your role as an advocate? 

My experience in the clinic has primarily changed my view of my role as an advocate. I think it can be easy to view advocacy narrowly. However, throughout my time in the clinic, I have come to see just how many ways lawyers serve as advocates for their clients. I now believe my ability to be an advocate for my client extends beyond purely giving legal advice. It also includes helping my client think through business decisions, how their interactions will impact key relationships now and in the future, and much more. 

How has your clinical work influenced your career goals or sense of purpose as a future lawyer? 

My clinical work has greatly influenced my career goals. Having the opportunity to give back through my legal work has been extremely humbling. I hope to be able to continue to have an impact on my community through a robust pro bono practice as I enter into and progress through my career. 

What advice would you give a fellow student considering enrolling in a clinic? 

My advice would be to go for it! No matter what type of law you ultimately end up practicing, every opportunity to do the actual work of being a lawyer is immensely valuable. I will carry my experiences in the clinic with me for the rest of my career. 

Anything else you’d like to share? 

I would just like to share a heartfelt thank you to Jeff Leslie. Jeff has been a phenomenal guide through my clinical experience. He is an incredible professor with a lot of expertise—yet it is clear how much he cares about the work he does and the students who do it alongside him.