Meet Our 2017 Summer Interns

Michael Walker, Anna Jirschele and Jared Jones

Three fabulous interns joined our office at the end of May, and a fourth will arrive soon! Law school students Anna Jirschele, Jared Jones and Michael Walker arrived just in time to pitch in with all the last-minute tasks that helped make our 2017 Annual Dinner a success. They’re now hard at work assisting our program staff in areas related to justice reform, housing, and early childhood education. We’re thrilled to have them on board!  University of Chicago undergraduate student Nushrat Jahan will arrive soon to join them.


Nushrat Jahan, Chicago

Education: University of Chicago Class of 2018

Why BPI? I’ve been debating between whether or not I want my career to be on the legal or policy side of things. BPI is a great way for me to experience what policy research looks like while also working closely with attorneys, especially in areas of public policy that I am particularly passionate about.

Areas of interest: Urban policy in general, with a particular focus on education, immigration, and juvenile justice

Career aspirations: I am considering going to law school once I graduate from college, and am interested in working in the human rights arena.

Book on her nightstand: Rain of Gold by Victor Villaseñor

What excites her about summer in Chicago? This is the first summer where both my high school and college friends will be in the city, and I’m excited to be able to spend time with all the people I care about. I’m also looking forward to food festivals, concerts, thrift store adventures, and plenty of weekend trips with family and friends.

Hobbies: Spoken word poetry and working through my restaurant bucket list.

Fun Fact: I own a maroon-colored version of every article of clothing imaginable!


Anna Jirschele, South Barrington, IL

Education:  Chicago-Kent College of Law Class of 2018
BA Political Science and Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Why BPI: I wanted to be involved in public interest work locally. BPI seemed to be active in many important areas of public interest from housing to justice reform, so I knew I would have a well-rounded experience. It was also recommended by Chicago-Kent and past interns (whom Adam Gross tells me were bribed!).

Areas of interest: Criminal justice and—from what I have learned thus far at BPI—early childhood learning.

Career aspirations: A work in progress, but generally helping to effect change in my community via law and policy.

Book on her nightstandA Wild Justice: The Death and Resurrection of Capital Punishment in America by Evan J. Mandery

What excites her about summer in Chicago?  Exploring the city’s museums and restaurants (recommendations welcome!), and being near a body of water.

Hobbies: Meditation

Fun Fact:  I have a twin brother! And it runs in the family – my mother has a twin brother, too.


Jared Jones, Denton, TX

Education:  Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Class of 2019
BA Political Science,  University of North Texas 

Why BPIThe issues that BPI works on have had my attention for many years. And while I’ve gone on no small number of Facebook rants in that time, I’ve recently felt compelled to put my money where my mouth is and do something that will (hopefully) have a concrete, positive impact.

Areas of interest: Police accountability and criminal justice reform, particularly with respect to drug policy.

Career aspirations:  I’m still trying to decide exactly what I want to be when I grow up. I’ve been drawn to big-picture policy work since I returned to school in 2012, but in the year that I’ve been in law school, I’ve developed a strong interest in plaintiff-side litigation. I’m hoping my experience with BPI will go a long way toward helping me choose a career path.

Book on his nightstandI just finished Jonathan Harr’s A Civil Action and am now reading On the Road by Jack Kerouac.

What excites him about summer in Chicago? I had never been to Chicago until I moved here shortly before the start of my first year of law school. With that now behind me, I’m looking forward to finally having time to explore the city and experience everything that I’ve been hearing about for the last nine months!

Hobbies: I love to read and watch movies. I play tennis and volleyball when the weather cooperates. I also play chess, video games, and a little piano.

Fun fact: For three of my more embarrassing teenage years I sang in a barbershop quartet called 3 Men and a Tenor. Thankfully, I wasn’t the tenor.


Michael Walker, Binghamton, NY

Education:  University of California, Irvine School of Law, Class of 2019
MA Literature, University of Chicago
BA Literature, Pennsylvania State University

Why BPII worked as a tenant advocate for three years in Albany Park and I admire the transformative work of the entire BPI housing staff.  On a personal note, I am madly in love with my partner Jessica, who lives in Chicago, and I am interested in doing whatever work I can to invest in the city, because we plan to live here after I graduate from law school.

Areas of interest: Police reform

Career aspirations:  I intend to remain dedicated to serving the public interest, as I was before law school.  I plan to practice civil law, and I am especially interested in litigation, but that’s all I know right now.

Book on his nightstandNumbers in the Dark by Italo Calvino, and The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation by Natalie Y. Moore.

What excites him about summer in Chicago? After surviving the first of three years in a long-distance relationship, I am most excited to be reunited with Jessica and living in East Pilsen.

Hobbies: I love bike riding, and I am currently training for a five day, 300-mile ride in Washington State in early August.  The ride is to raise money and awareness about climate change, and is organized by Food & Water Watch, an NGO and consumer rights group focusing on corporate and government accountability.

Fun fact: In my early 20s, I worked as a tour guide at the Vatican Museum in Rome.

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