Foundation Welcomes
37th Class
We're thrilled to introduce our 2025 Skadden Fellows. Hailing from 18 law schools across the country, these 28 individuals will begin their public interest careers by addressing a broad range of civil legal issues affecting people living in poverty throughout the United States.
2025
Swords to Plowshares, San Francisco, CA
Caity Lynch
Expand access to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, including housing, health care and disability compensation for veterans with less than honorable discharges who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness by applying new regulations that recognize trauma and discrimination as a cause of unjust dismissal from service and subsequent VA ineligibility.
Taking care of each other is what I love and miss most about serving in the military. When we have access to the services we need to heal, veterans can thrive.
2025
New York Civil Liberties Union, New York, NY
Malik Sammons
Ensure housing security exists for New Yorkers through impact representation, public education and systemic advocacy to enforce tenants’ rights, specifically for voucher recipients and rent-stabilized tenants, where government agencies are failing to effectively administer programs and their enforcement mechanisms.
One of the most pressing issues in New York is housing affordability. After spending the past few years partnering with the communities most affected by this crisis, it is an honor to join alongside community advocates, tenants, and attorneys to ensure people’s ability to stay in their homes is protected.
2025
Disability Rights Michigan, Lansing, MI
Sophie Towle
Provide direct representation to children and youth to facilitate access to community-based mental and behavioral health Medicaid services. Identify and mitigate systemic barriers preventing eligible children and youth from accessing these Medicaid services.
Under Medicaid, children and youth are entitled to community-based mental health and behavioral health services, but many children in Michigan do not receive them. My project was developed and designed to address this critical gap in services and the many negative outcomes that occur when children don’t receive the care they need.
2025
MacArthur Justice Center, Chicago, IL
Chisato Kimura-Kleiböhmer
Utilize systemic advocacy, community education, and strategic litigation to enforce state laws meant to protect immigrants against abuses by local and state police and empower immigrant communities.
My inspiration to work with immigrant communities in Illinois is rooted in my experience growing up in an immigrant household and attempting to navigate the immigration process for my family. I am invested in ensuring that everyone feels safe in their communities regardless of immigration status and working towards dismantling the dehumanizing immigration system.