2026 Galilee Immersion Program: Exposing First-Year Law Students to the Impact of Public Interest Law

In 1981, Notre Dame Law School launched the Galilee Immersion Program to give students a unique opportunity to learn from practicing lawyers, reflect on their future legal careers, and live out what it means to be a “different kind of lawyer.” What began as an experimental program—bringing six students and one law professor to Chicago for a hands-on introduction to public interest law—has grown into a cornerstone of the 1L experience.

Galilee helps students explore how to incorporate public interest work into their legal careers, whether through full-time roles or through pro bono service in private practice, and exposes them to a wide range of public interest and public service settings.

This year, 120 students participated in the program and traveled to 13 different cities across the United States: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, South Bend, and Tallahassee. Students were encouraged to draw on their career goals, personal interests, and ties to their selected city as they built their schedules for the week. Working in small groups, they planned visits to legal aid offices, policy advocacy organizations, judges’ chambers, government law agencies, prosecutors’ and public defenders’ offices, as well as pro bono departments at private firms and public interest organizations.

Alumni Connection

Throughout the week, across each practicing city, students were able to connect with Notre Dame alumni. A special thank you to our dedicated Notre Dame Lawyer Committees and alumni firms who foster valuable networking opportunities for our 1L students.

The Boston Galilee Experience

The Boston group visited the Federal District Court, where they gained insight into the judicial process. The group also explored regulatory and policy-focused legal work during a visit to the Boston Public Library’s Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center (KBLIC), a designated United States Patent and Trademark Office resource center that supports the public with trademark and patent assistance.

The Chicago Galilee Experience

34 students took on the Windy City for their Galilee experience. They tackled a wide range of activities from meetings with judges to hands-on service projects that highlighted the human impact of the law. Students explored private practice and public interest law through visits to Winston & Strawn, examined policy and youth advocacy with the Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, and focused on environmental and immigration law with the National Immigrant Justice Center. They also engaged with global and community-centered work through Ascend Justice, gained insight into federal oversight at the Securities and Exchange Commission, and explored civil rights and access to justice issues with the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. Together, these experiences offered students a rich and immersive view of how legal work shapes communities, policy, and individual lives.

The Dallas Galilee Experience

In Dallas, students explored how the law can serve both clients and communities. They learned about pro bono initiatives at Jackson Walker and Haynes Boone, seeing firsthand how firms dedicate resources to meaningful legal service. The group also connected with Catholic Charities, gaining insight into how legal advocacy supports low-income individuals and families. Together, these experiences highlighted the many ways lawyers can make a tangible difference beyond traditional practice.

The Washington, D.C. Galilee Experience

Washington, D.C. hosted 31 students for the week. Each group engaged in a wide variety of activities ranging from private practice and federal government work to advocacy, public defense, and community legal service. Students met with attorneys at Gibson Dunn to explore private practice, engaged with the Department of Justice’s Civil Division to better understand federal litigation, and examined national security law through a visit to the CIA’s Office of General Counsel. Later in the week, students had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Supreme Court and meet with Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Their experience also emphasized public service and policy through meetings with the American Enterprise Institute and hands-on service with organizations such as Neighborhood Legal Services.

Elizabeth Holland, a first-year law student, shared her experience in Washington, D.C: “My team and I visited the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Policy where we met with a panel of attorneys who are involved in judicial nominations and policy implementation. It was fascinating to learn more about what public service can look like in a political role. We were grateful to meet with Notre Dame Law and Galilee alum, Nicholas Schilling '14, '17 J.D., who is the supervisory official of the department.”

The Detroit Galilee Experience

One group of students made their way to Detroit, where they experienced firsthand pro bono practice, public service, and policy through a visit to Honigman to learn about pro bono work within a law firm setting. The group also engaged with the 28th District Court and Judge Mullins through the Veterans Treatment Court, gaining insight into problem-solving courts. Their experience included learning about low-income civil legal services at Lakeshore Legal Aid, engaging with policy issues through the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, and participating in a service project with Project Clean Slate.

The Kansas City Galilee Experience

The Kansas City group explored the legal system through a mix of courtroom observation, public service, and constitutional advocacy. Students observed eviction proceedings at the Jackson County Courthouse, gaining firsthand insight into housing instability and access to justice. They also met with the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri to learn about federal prosecution and the role of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The experience continued with a visit to the American Civil Liberties Union, where students examined how constitutional rights are defended through litigation and policy advocacy, and concluded with service at Harvesters Community Food Network, reinforcing the connection between legal work and community impact.

The Los Angeles Galilee Experience

In Los Angeles, Galilee students immersed themselves in the diverse world of legal work, from nonprofit advocacy to government service. They engaged with organizations supporting low-income and immigrant communities, including the Los Angeles Foundation for Legal Aid, Basta Inc., and the Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, as well as the California Women’s Law Center, gaining firsthand insight into how legal advocacy addresses systemic inequities. Another group explored government and public law through visits to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Orange County Superior Court, and the Public Law Center, highlighting the intersections of litigation, policy, and community impact in the region. Together, these experiences offered a dynamic view of the law in action across both nonprofit and government sectors.

The Philadelphia Galilee Experience

In Philadelphia, students explored the law through the lenses of public service, advocacy, and the judiciary. They connected with the Defender Association of Philadelphia to see how legal services support low-income clients, gaining insight into the challenges and impact of public defense. The group also met with Judge Gerald Pappert '88 J.D. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, learning about the role of judges in shaping justice at the federal level. Their experience included engagement with HIAS, a nonprofit organization advocating for immigrants and refugees, providing students with a deeper understanding of how legal work can advance human rights and social justice.

The New York Galilee Experience

Three groups explored New York City through engaging with the law across service, advocacy, government, and private practice. One group took part in a service project with Bowery Mission and conversations with attorneys at Her Justice, gaining insight into legal advocacy for vulnerable communities. Another group encountered the realities of criminal justice and public service through visits with the Brooklyn Defenders and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. The third group explored the intersection of the Southern District of New York and service with NYC Love the Kitchen.

Reflecting on the experience, first-year law student Xander Kane described the trip as transformative. “My trip was an extremely impactful experience that I know will stick with me for the rest of my law school journey and beyond. Everyone in my group was inspired by talking to individuals who were not only successful but also passionate and invested in meaningful work," he said. "As someone with limited knowledge about the legal landscape, the diversity of people we spoke with helped me gain meaningful perspective on the path I want to pursue. Among my favorite stops was with Judge Margaret Garnett '92 of SDNY and the Manhattan DA’s office, which opened my eyes to a potential future in prosecution. It is undeniable that Galilee was a transformative experience that has already impacted and will continue to impact my views on the law and the type of lawyer I want to become.”

The Phoenix Galilee Experience

Students engaged with the Maricopa County Office of the Legal Advocate, learning how attorneys provide representation to indigent criminal defendants and ensure access to justice for those facing the criminal justice system. The group also met with the Diocese of Phoenix General Counsel to understand how legal professionals navigate complex policy and organizational issues. These experiences offered students a deeper appreciation for the diverse roles lawyers play in supporting both individuals and institutions.

The Pittsburgh Galilee Experience

Students observed proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and learned from the Federal Public Defender’s Office about providing high-quality legal representation to individuals who cannot afford counsel in federal cases. The group also engaged with Neighborhood Legal Services, gaining firsthand insight into how civil legal support helps low-income and vulnerable members of the community navigate complex legal challenges. These experiences highlighted the diverse ways legal professionals can advance justice and serve the public.

The South Bend Galilee Experience

In South Bend, Galilee students explored the law through a mix of public service, private practice, and the judiciary. They connected with Indiana Legal Services to learn how civil legal aid supports low-income and vulnerable residents in areas such as housing, family law, and access to public benefits. The group also visited Barnes & Thornburg to see how private firms approach legal practice and client service, and met with Circuit Court Judge Mark Telloyan '98 J.D. to gain insight into the judicial perspective. These experiences provided students with a well-rounded view of how lawyers and judges serve communities and uphold justice across different sectors.

The Tallahassee Galilee Experience

The Tallahassee group immersed themselves in the realities of the justice system through experiences that spanned the courtroom, public defense, and community advocacy. Students met with Judge Adam Tanenbaum to gain insight into judicial decision-making and observed how the courts function from the bench. They also engaged with attorneys from the Federal Public Defender’s Office and North Florida Legal Aid, deepening their understanding of defense work and access to justice. Students also met with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a unique opportunity to learn directly from the head of a state government. The experience was grounded in service through time spent with the Innocence Project of Florida and at Joseph House, highlighting the profound human impact of legal advocacy on vulnerable populations.