Meet Hillary Chutter-Ames, BPI’s Newest Skadden Fellow

Hometown: South Hero, VT

Education: JD 2019, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, BA in Russian and Political Science, Middlebury College

Areas of Interest: The legal issues that interest me most concern civil rights, particularly in the context of criminal justice reform, housing, and voting rights. I’m also interested in public policy as a tool to combat poverty, particularly in the realm of education, community development, and health care.

Why BPI: I entered law school from a community development background and from the beginning wanted to find ways to use my legal skills to support community-driven social change. I was excited that BPI’s police accountability work partners directly with community organizations to provide legal and policy support––it’s an incredible opportunity to learn how to put my legal training to work in service of change driven and directed by communities, particularly in relation to criminal justice reform and civil rights. Plus, I interned at BPI during law school and knew I’d be joining a team of brilliant and dedicated humans with great senses of humor!

What she’s working on: Legal and policy issues related to the ordinance BPI is working on that would create a community-based civilian commission for public safety and accountability. I’m only a few weeks in, but I’m already grateful for the chance to learn from GAPA coalition members and from the BPI team.

What’s up next: After my BPI fellowship, I will be clerking for two years in New York.

Book on her nightstand: Washington Black, by Esi Edugyan; Golden Gulag, by Ruth Wilson Gilmore; Trick Mirror, by Jia Tolentino

Hobbies: Playing soccer or running along the lake, reading or trying out new podcasts, and exploring (ahem, eating) my way through Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Fun fact: I’ve grown vegetables on three continents.