Joseph Ludmir, ’21, seeks to build understanding and promote empathy at the law school and in legal services.

By Faith Laken, ’20

Joseph Ludmir always enjoyed public speaking, but it was ultimately his desire to connect with clients one on one that led him to the law school. In undergrad, he served as a crisis counselor for survivors of sexual assault in the community. He appreciated his ability to connect with people in that setting, but wanted to be able to provide clients with legal resources to address their needs as well.

For Ludmir, public interest and direct legal aid felt like a natural fit. “I want to be able to make the biggest, most tangible impact on people,” he described. “You can really see the impact of your work when there’s a client sitting in front of you who feels supported because of your work. There’s a sense of accomplishment and feeling of fulfillment being on the front lines.”

During his 1L spring break, Ludmir participated in a pro bono service trip to St. Louis where he externed at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, a nonprofit legal aid organization that provides free legal help to low income individuals and families on civil issues including housing, public benefits, special education, and domestic violence. There, Ludmir worked on a study of the relationship between court proceedings and incidents of domestic violence and assault on clients. He explained how attorneys should be aware of the role that various stressors, including those stemming from the legal system, play in the cycle of violence and should pay careful attention to the needs of their clients during those times.

At the law school, Ludmir has his eye on the effects of stressors on the student body. He serves as the Vice President of Mental Wellness in the Law School’s student government and is dedicated to making the law school community more aware of mental health concerns and available resources. He also started a “Secret Pal” program to encourage more bonding and positivity at the school. Participating students get assigned another student who they leave little notes or small gifts for anonymously until a reveal later in the year. Students might leave each other compliments, words of encouragement, or candy. Ludmir hopes activities like these remind students to take time to check in with themselves, relax, and bond with their classmates.

Ludmir hopes to continue to find innovative ways to connect with classmates and clients during the remainder of his time at the law school and to bring his empathic approach into his future legal career.

Ellen Goff, ’21, values meaningful client interaction and experiences beyond the legal classroom.

By Carly Owens, ‘20

Ellen Goff, JD ’21, has found pro bono work an effective and meaningful way to extend her legal education beyond the classroom, especially during her 1L year. “I prioritized short pro bono work throughout the school year and more immersive experiences on breaks because it reminded me of the reasons I became interested in law and gave me meaningful client service experiences. Looking back on my first year of law school, I realize these experiences were invaluable in expanding my legal horizons.”

After Ellen’s first quarter, she participated in Ascend Justice’s Winter Immersion Program. There, she aided survivors of domestic violence in petitioning the court for emergency orders of protection. Alongside other law students, Ellen interviewed clients, then used that information to draft affidavits and petitions, which were reviewed by the client and attorney and submitted to the court. “This experience taught me how to ask thorough questions while being mindful of the traumatic experiences I was discussing with clients. It emphasized the human aspect of legal practice, something not often discussed in the classroom.”

Ellen also used her spring break to engage in pro bono work. During this time, she volunteered at the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center along with other University of Chicago law students. Through this position, she gained experience in a new area of law – criminal defense. The Louisiana Capital Assistance Center provides defense to low-income individuals charged with capital crimes, which carry the potential of a death sentence. “This experience helped me realize how much I value direct client interaction and has helped guide me in seeking out future pro bono opportunities.”

During the quarter, Ellen enjoys participating in the monthly general service Woodlawn clinic run by Legal Aid Chicago. “I love seeing so many different kinds of cases and working with experienced attorneys to issue-spot real life situations,” she says.  Madeline Franke, the Community Legal Clinics Coordinator at Legal Aid Chicago, appreciates working with Ellen and was particularly grateful for Ellen’s participation in the Woodlawn Clinic in August, noting that “[w]e had one of our biggest client turn outs at that clinic, and with Ellen’s help, we were able to serve over 30 clients during that clinic. She was calm, efficient, and kind to all of her clients and to the other volunteers at the clinic.  We would not have been able to see and advise all of those people without her.”

Ellen has continued volunteering with the Woodlawn Clinic this year in addition to applying her passion for client service through the Police Accountability Clinic at the Law School. In this position, she conducts research, client and witness interviews, and writes memoranda pertaining to torture claims against the police.

Ellen looks forward to continuing to explore her legal interests through pro bono work in law school and is confident that she will carry her passion for public interest with her wherever she works. She believes that no other experiences are quite as intellectually stimulating and rewarding.