The Galilee Immersion Program, a cornerstone experience for first-year law students at Notre Dame Law School, exemplifies the Law School’s commitment to educating "a different kind of lawyer." Established in 1981, the program began with just 6 students and 1 professor traveling to Chicago to learn from practicing lawyers and reflect on their future legal careers. Over the years, it has grown into a unique, hands-on introduction to public interest law.

This year, during Christmas break, more than 100 first-year students in seventeen groups traveled to nine different cities, each offering its own unique experiences. Students had the opportunity to meet with public defenders, prosecutors, legal aid attorneys, private firm attorneys, judges, public policy advocates, and representatives from government agencies. These meetings highlighted how public interest work can shape their future careers—whether through full-time roles or pro bono work at private firms.

Students select their cities based on career goals, personal interests, or connections to their hometowns. In groups of two to seven, they plan visits to public interest organizations in their chosen city, including legal aid offices, policy advocacy groups, and pro bono departments at private firms. Activities may include court visits and meetings with judges, offering students a comprehensive view of public interest law. Each group also organizes a service activity such as assisting at a legal aid office or volunteering at shelters or soup kitchens to foster direct interaction with people in need.

This year Galilee groups visited the following cities.

• Chicago (5 Groups)

• New York (3 Groups)

• D.C. (2 Groups)

• Dallas (1 Group)

• Detroit (1 Group)

• Kansas City (1 Group)

• Indianapolis (1 Group)

• Los Angeles (2 Groups)

• Miami (1 Group)

Alumni Connection

In addition, students often connect with Notre Dame alumni throughout the week. A special thank you to our amazing Notre Dame Lawyer Committees and alumni firms who generously hosted networking opportunities for our 1L students visiting their markets during the Galilee program.

• New York - Slattery’s Midtown

• Washington, D.C. - Faegre Drinker

• Chicago - O’Callaghan’s

• Los Angeles - Far Bar

• Indianapolis - The Tap

• Dallas - Sidley Austin

• Detroit - Firebird Tavern

• Kansas City - Lew’s Grill & Bar

The Chicago Galilee Experience

Five groups traveled to Chicago for their Galilee week, each following a unique itinerary that took them across the city to various agencies and nonprofit organizations. Students explored private practice perspectives by visiting prominent firms such as Benesch, Reed Smith, Kirkland, Jones Day, and Mayer Brown.

Government and public sector engagements included meetings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - Chicago Regional Office, the Department of Justice Antitrust Division, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Regional Counsel, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.

Judicial experiences featured discussions with Judge Amy St. Eve (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit), Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois), Judge John R. Blakey ‘88, ‘92 J.D. (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois), and Judge Michele A. Gemskie (Cook County Circuit Court).

Students also gained exposure to nonprofit and public interest law at organizations including Ascend Justice, Cabrini Green Legal Aid, the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), Legal Aid Chicago, and the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

The group activities also included hands-on service projects with Deborah’s Place, Cradles to Crayons, and refugee resettlement efforts, emphasizing participants’ commitment to pro bono work and community service.

First-year student Ellie Kallgren reflected on her group's time: “Each member of our group agreed that it was an incredibly special experience. For many of us with no attorneys in our family, it was so eye opening to see the diversity of practice that our law degree can hold. It was also inspiring to see how many of the attorneys, all if not most, loved their jobs! We all agreed that our Galilee experience persuaded us to pursue public interest work for our 1L summer jobs and perhaps even after graduation. It is undoubtable that Galilee will continue to have a formative effect on our career trajectory and legal journey throughout Notre Dame Law School.”

Photos provided by Ellie Kallgren

The New York Galilee Experience

In New York City, students engaged with a diverse range of law firms, government offices, policy organizations, nonprofits, and service projects. They visited top law firms, including White & Case, Sidley, Latham, Jones Day, Skadden, and A&O Shearman. Their government exposure included meetings with the New York Attorney General’s Office, the Manhattan and Staten Island District Attorney’s Offices, and the NYPD Special Victims Units (SVU) units in both boroughs.

Judicial experiences featured discussions with Judge Paul A. Crotty ‘62 (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York), Judge James L. Garrity (United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York), Judge Margaret Garnett ‘92 (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York), Judge Margaret Kolbe ‘96 J.D. (Immigration Judge, Department of Justice), and Judge Valerie E. Caproni (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York).

Participants also explored policy and international law through organizations including the United Nations, the National Center for Children in Poverty, the Manhattan Institute, the Innocence Project, the New York International Arbitration Center, and the American Arbitration Association. Public interest and legal service organizations like the Legal Aid Society, Catholic Charities, Brooklyn Defenders, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, and the Urban Justice Center provided valuable insights into advocacy and pro bono work.

The New York groups did service projects at City Harvest, Open Hands, CAMBA, YMCA, Brooklyn Cat Café, and God's Love We Deliver which further reinforced the group’s commitment to community impact. Stephanie Athanas, a first-year student, shared their experiences. “We observed various judges presiding over cases in New York County Family Court, attended a sentencing in the Southern District of New York, and learned about the work of the Urban Justice Center, Center for Family Representation, Sanctuary for Families, and Jones Day's pro bono program.”

Photos provided by Stephanie Athanas

The Miami Galilee Experience

The Miami Galilee group visited Sidley Austin to explore private practice perspectives and met with Judge Federico A. Moreno '74 (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida), to gain insights into the judiciary. Their commitment to public interest work was strengthened through visits with the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) Pro Bono and Legal Services of Greater Miami, both of which provide critical legal aid to low-income individuals. Additionally, they participated in a service project at Bill Sadowski Nature Center. These experiences provided a well-rounded understanding of legal practice, public service, and community impact in Miami.

First-year student Pete Law reflected on his team's experience, highlighting how this trip shaped his team's view of public interest work, "Participating in the Galilee Program was an incredibly enriching experience. It provided us with the opportunity to explore Miami's public interest legal landscape, while fostering collaboration and friendship among fellow students. The program helped us reflect on the role of lawyers in promoting social justice and provided valuable insights into public service and pro bono work. The lessons learned will stay with me throughout my legal career and beyond."

The Dallas Galilee Experience

The Galilee Dallas group kicked off their week with a service project at Crossroads, an organization focused on increasing the number of food-stable homes across the city. They visited Bradley’s national law firm office in Dallas to explore private practice perspectives and met with Judge James C. Ho (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit), who shared valuable insights into the judiciary. The group also met with the Dallas County District Attorney Judge John Creuzot, who gave the group wonderful insight on public interest work. They also visited the Fort Worth City Attorney’s Office to learn about policy and municipal law. One of the most impactful experiences was a visit to the Austin Street Center, one of Dallas' largest homeless shelters, which highlighted the importance of public interest work.

First-year student Stephen Hasse shared his insight about his group's experience, "During our Galilee immersion in Dallas we witnessed public interest lawyers passionately advocating for social change, particularly for individuals facing the challenges of addiction, mental illness, and poverty. We quickly realized that public interest lawyering demands a deep commitment to justice, and this admirable commitment can lead to extraordinary results in our society."

The Los Angeles Galilee Experience

From private firms to the courtroom, the Los Angeles Galilee groups gained firsthand insights into a variety of public service careers. They met with federal and state judges, including Judge John D. Early ‘90 (U.S. District Court for the Central District of California), Judge Theresa McGonigle ‘87 J.D. (Superior Court of Los Angeles County), and Judge Bryan Clavecilla (Orange County Superior Court).

Visits to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and Sidley Austin LLP provided perspective on prosecution and private practice. The program also emphasized public interest work, with students connecting with organizations such as Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles, Public Counsel’s policy division, Community Legal Aid, and the Orange County Rescue Mission. A visit to South Los Angeles Cafe underscored the intersection of law, policy, and grassroots advocacy.

Amanda Flores, a first year student, reflected upon her group's time in Los Angeles. “Our group gained exposure to the disparities that have resulted from long standing injustice and institutionalized inequality within the Los Angeles area. We learned how non-profit law firms who specialize in areas of the law that disproportionately impact low-income people, including affordable housing and eviction defense, use the powerful tool of advocacy to advance social change."

Photos provided by Amanda Flores

The Kansas City Galilee Experience

The Kansas City group visited representatives from the Polsinelli Law Firm at the Jackson County Courthouse and engaged in pro bono discussions at the law firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon. They also met with representatives from Legal Aid of Western Missouri to explore public interest law. A visit to the Federal Defender’s Office provided insights into criminal defense, while meetings with the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office and Judge Holly Teeter (U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas) offered first hand exposure to prosecution. Additionally, students participated in a Martin Luther King Jr. service project.

Originally published by Annika Johnson at law.nd.edu on February 05, 2025.