Law School Celebrates Class of 2025 Pro Bono Service Contributions
The Law School held its annual Pro Bono Recognition Ceremony on May 7, 2025, honoring eighty-seven members of this year’s graduating class who contributed more than 14,000 pro bono hours throughout their time at the Law School. In addition, seventy-four members of the Class of 2025 completed the Pledge to work at least 50 pro bono hours, and twenty-two of those students completed more than 250 hours, earning Pro Bono Honors recognition.
Emily Buss, the Mark and Barbara Fried Professor of Law, delivered welcome remarks to the students, faculty, and staff in attendance. She shared inspiring words on the importance of pro bono work and thanked the students for their service and for giving back to their communities through their incredible contributions.
Abigail Gabrieli, ’25, earned the Pro Bono Award of Excellence, logging more than 1,000 hours throughout her time in Law School. Abigail shared poignant words about our ability to multiply our strengths through collaborative pro bono work, and the importance of tackling impactful work even when it feels daunting.
Elise Tincher, associate director of Public Service and Pro Bono, presented additional public interest awards. Rosie Gruen, ’25, was honored with the James C. Hormel Public Service Award, and Hannah State, ’26, earned the 2L Public Service Award.
Jason Krigel, ’09, the chief public safety legal counsel and agency ethics officer for the Illinois Department of Corrections, delivered a keynote address prior to students receiving their awards. Jason highlighted the importance of making pro bono work a part of your practice, encouraged students to engage in pro bono work throughout their careers, and shared a story about an impactful pro bono case he did while he was a litigator at Jenner & Block that resulted in a client being freed from prison.
