Michelle Vodenik has dedicated her entire legal career to advancing public interest law through a variety of roles at Chicago-Kent College of Law and has made a real mark on our profession and our community in the process.
Michelle’s many impactful roles at the law school set the stage for her current role as the Director of the Public Interest Center at Chicago-Kent College of Law, a position she took on after establishing the center in 2022. In just a few short years, she has significantly reshaped the public interest law environment at the law school and within the broader Chicago legal community. Under her leadership, the Public Interest Center has grown into a dynamic hub of pro bono engagement, community collaboration, and professional development for law students who are committed to serving the public good. The Center provides a robust, one-stop-shop for students pursuing public interest law careers while expanding access to justice in the community through a variety of pro bono projects.
Over the last 20 years as an advisor and director, Michelle has shepherded hundreds, if not thousands, of students at Chicago-Kent College of Law into public interest careers as she personally has volunteered for a variety of pro bono, bar association, and nonprofit initiatives during that time. Michelle’s depth and breadth of knowledge about the public interest legal landscape, from all levels of government and the courts to legal aid, is invaluable to the students she serves. She conducts programming throughout the school year to inform students of various opportunities and career paths and is deeply admired for the care she brings to her individual advising relationships with students.
Michelle’s leadership has brought increased visibility and institutional support to public interest work at Chicago-Kent, showcasing the incredible work of students, alumni, and community partners. Her ability to build bridges between the academy and the broader legal aid ecosystem is a testament to her collaborative spirit and deep-rooted dedication to justice. Her work embodies the very spirit of this honor making her an ideal recipient of this year’s Leonard J. Schrager Award of Excellence.