Chicago-Kent College of Law

What does it look like to lead with purpose while excelling in law school?
For Sahil Bathija ’27, it means staying in the top 1 percent of his class while mentoring fellow students, serving in leadership roles, and completing more than 100 hours of community service. Drawn to Chicago-Kent College of Law by its supportive faculty and strong community, Sahil has already gained experience through public interest work, immigration advocacy, and international legal studies in Germany.
His goal is to help break down barriers to the legal profession and create greater opportunities for future generations of lawyers.
Read more about Sahil’s journey and impact: https://kentlaw.iit.edu/law/student-experience/student-alumni-stories/leading-while-learning

Spending your summer at a legal internship or externship? We’d love to feature you!
Chicago-Kent College of Law students have worked hard to secure meaningful summer placements, and we want to celebrate that dedication.
If you're currently interning this summer and would like to be highlighted in our 2026 Summer Internship Spotlight Series, send us a message for more info.
Let’s recognize your accomplishments and inspire others in the Chicago-Kent community!

Rachel Lehmann (LAW ’26) did not expect bankruptcy law to become her path, but curiosity, mentorship, and hands-on experience quickly turned an introduction to the field into a passion.
That journey recently earned her recognition as the 2026 Seventh Circuit Distinguished Student by the American College of Bankruptcy, an honor that celebrates future leaders in the insolvency and bankruptcy profession.
Through moot court, legal research, student leadership, and externship experiences, Rachel has embraced opportunities to deepen her understanding of bankruptcy and restructuring law while helping connect fellow students with leaders in the field. Her experiences have helped shape both her professional goals and her future in practice.
Read more about Rachel’s story: https://kentlaw.iit.edu/law/news-media/news/law-student-honored-american-college-bankruptcy

Service, advocacy, and community were at the center of the 2026 Public Interest Awards.
This year, students logged more than 6,000 volunteer hours, and the Class of 2026 contributed more than 10,000 hours of service during their time at Chicago-Kent College of Law. The evening celebrated students, alumni, and community partners dedicated to advancing public interest law and supporting those in need.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients and honorees, and thank you to our public interest community and partners for continuing to create meaningful opportunities for service and impact.
Read the full story: https://kentlaw.iit.edu/law/news-media/news/help-those-people-chicago-kent-celebrates-public-interest-19th-annual-awards

Jill Webb, Attorney at Law, PLLC ’96 has built her legal career on a principle she believes is essential to the profession: civility.
As founder of the Law Office of Jill M. Webb, she has secured more than $250 million in verdicts and settlements while earning respect as a leader, mentor, and advocate for professionalism in the legal field. Her leadership within the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Society of Trial Lawyers also made her the first female plaintiff-side attorney to serve as president of both organizations.
Alongside her work in the courtroom, Webb remains committed to mentoring students and supporting future attorneys as they find their place in the profession.
Read more about Jill’s story: https://bit.ly/4vjsKpz

Daniel Kassl ’27 once viewed law school as out of reach. Today, he is building a future grounded in advocacy, leadership, and practical legal experience.
As a first-generation law student and member of Chicago-Kent College of Law’s Honors Scholars program, Kassl has embraced opportunities that connect classroom learning with real legal practice. His experience has included legal writing, leadership roles, and hands-on work through internships and externships within Chicago’s legal system.
With a passion for public service and a deep connection to the city, Kassl is preparing to make a meaningful impact in Chicago’s legal community while carrying forward the values that shaped his journey.
Read more about Kassl’s story and experiences at Chicago-Kent:https://bit.ly/4nXI48U

Congratulations to David A. Sklansky, winner of Chicago-Kent’s 2026 Roy C. Palmer Prize on Democracy, Civil Liberties, and the Rule of Law for his book, "Criminal Justice in a Divided America: Police, Punishment, and the Future of Our Democracy."

The Palmer Prize honors scholarship that examines threats to, or support of, the liberal democratic constitutional order and encourages meaningful public dialogue around issues shaping individual rights and government responsibility.

Sklansky’s submission stood out for its exploration of how political polarization and failures in criminal justice are deeply connected, and why addressing one may require confronting the other.

Read the full article to learn more: https://kentlaw.iit.edu/law/news-media/news/polarization-and-punishment-stanford-professor-awarded-2026-palmer-prize

Celebrating the graduates, the memories, and everything that led to this moment 🎓