Julie LaEace

Leading a dedicated team, she fosters relationships with new and existing legal aid partners, sets strategy for the pro bono program and provides guidance on policy, while developing high impact pro bono and access-to-justice initiatives and programs. 

Under her guidance, Perkins Coie rose 26 spots on The American Lawyer’s 2024 Pro Bono Scorecard, which ranks the top US law firms based on the breadth and depth of their commitment to pro bono legal service.  She focuses on making pro bono work easily accessible to all Perkins Coie lawyers by offering a wide range of opportunities, increasing communication, and simplifying policies and processes.

Julie is passionate about providing lawyers and business professionals opportunities to create positive change for individuals and communities while increasing their own career satisfaction. Drawing upon a background in pro bono, social impact, and attorney development, Julie was a contributing author to An Associate’s First Year: A Guide to Thriving at a Law Firm, and The Best Lawyer You Can Be: A Guide to Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-Being, both published in 2018.

Earlier in her career, Julie was an employment and benefits attorney at two large law firms in Chicago.  She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Notre Dame Law School and her B.S., summa cum laude, from Indiana University.

Active in her community, Julie has served on the boards of the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness and the Rebuilding Exchange.  She is a former member of the Chicago Bar Foundation Advisory Committee on Training and Professional Development in Legal Aid and is a long-time member of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel.  

Prior to joining Perkins Coie, Julie spent more than 13 years in pro bono and social impact roles at leading law firms, including at Kirkland & Ellis where she built and led an award-winning global pro bono program as pro bono counsel and global program director.