Introducing Legal Council's Interns, Part 1
July 3, 2019
Every summer, Legal Council welcomes a group of law students and interns interested in advancing health justice in Illinois. Learn more about four of our spectacular interns below. Part two is available now.
Alexis Bailey
How did you hear about Legal Council?
The career service advisor at my school had a contact working for the 
Legal Council that she connected me with when I was searching for summer internships. She knew I was interested in working in public health law and thought this organization would be a good fit.
Why did you want to intern with Legal Council?
As someone who is pursuing a career in the intersection of public health and legislative policy, I was interested in the work Legal Council does. Additionally, I appreciate how Legal Council advocates from a position of equity and justice, because they are the cornerstones of the work I hope to complete in the future.
What program are you interning with?
I am interning with the Children and Families program this summer.
What do you hope to learn this summer?
I am hoping to gain critical insight into how direct legal services and policy initiatives connect. This summer, I aspire to expand my legal analysis skills in order to better advocate for the maternal and child health issues I am passionate about.
Julie Baffoe
Why did you want to intern with Legal Council?
I wanted to intern with Legal Council, specifically to work in the Children & Families program. I’m interested in education policy and legal aid for children, and I’m
from Cook County and wanted to find an internship in Chicago. Legal Council and the Children & Families team seemed like a great opportunity to get involved in both policy and legal assistance while serving the Chicago community.
What do you hope to learn this summer?
This summer, I’m excited to learn more about how state policy and legislation work, how legal aid organizations serve their clients, and how law interacts with education and health. I’m interested in learning more about Chicago Public Schools, public benefits, and children’s and families’ rights in school. I’m looking forward to doing research and writing both for policy initiatives and for direct representation.
What is your favorite summertime activity to do in Chicago?
I’m from the Chicago area, but I haven’t lived here for a summer in four years. Honestly, now that I’m back, I’m most excited about everything I get to eat this summer! I’ve already been able to go to a few of my favorite Chicago restaurants, and I’ll be so happy when I can walk over to the Taste of Chicago for a few lunch breaks. Other than that, my favorite summertime activity in Chicago is hanging out by the lake when the weather is nice.
What is your favorite Beyoncé album?
My favorite Beyoncé album right now is the live Homecoming album! I’ve already watched the Netflix special of her performance multiple times. And yes, I will listen to the entire almost-two-hour album without skipping any songs.
Erika Kelley
How did you hear about Legal Council?
I heard about Legal Council through the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) summer internship program website.
Why did you want to intern with Legal Council?
I chose to intern with Legal Council because I felt it would be a great opportunity to apply my background in public health in a legal setting. I was excited to see the services Legal Council offered to the Chicago community and wanted to be a part of a great organization.
What program are you interning with?
I'm interning with the Homeless program.
What do you hope to learn this summer?
I plan to learn a lot about Federal Social Security and the process individuals who are homeless and living with disabilities have to go through to apply for federal disability income.
Ashley Chong
How did you hear about Legal Council?
I knew that I wanted to dedicate myself to public interest work. Consequently, before applying for law school, I looked through the Public Interest Law Initiative’s (PILI) website. I was immediately attracted to Legal Council’s work because it fit my prior experience as a Patient Advocate with Health Leads as well as my interest in the intersection of health and law.
Why did you want to intern with Legal Council?
I wanted to intern with Legal Council because of its mission and vision as a medical-legal partnership. Similarly, I aim to challenge health disparities, eliminate systemic barriers that limit access to health care, encourage immigrant access to health care, and address the social determinants of health so that all can live a healthy life. Legal Council is a perfect place to learn from passionate advocates and grow.
What do you hope to learn this summer?
I hope to improve how I creatively advocate for clients.
What is your favorite summertime activity to do in Chicago?
I love biking along Lake Shore Drive and indulging in Brambleberry Crisp and Brown Butter Almond Brittle ice cream from Jeni’s in Wicker Park.