A Practical Education

“I hope to bridge the gap between law, business, and technology by helping organizations navigate regulatory compliance while promoting ethical innovation,” says Leeandre Mahomes ’26. “Through this work, I aim to expand access to justice and ensure legal protections keep pace with technological change.”

Mahomes wants to practice law on the cutting edge, and he wants to help his future clients get to the same place. 

When he was looking at law schools, Chicago-Kent College of Law was the only law school that could meet his future-focused mindset. 

“I learned about Illinois Tech through its strong intellectual property law program and its presence in the Chicago legal market, which offered access to courts, firms, and legal organizations,” Mahomes says. “The combination of a specialized program and a major legal hub immediately stood out to me.”

Once courses started, Mahomes wasn’t content to just sit behind a desk. 

He has been involved in the Journal of Intellectual Property, the Intellectual Property Law Society, and the Black Law Students Association.

“These organizations provided community, professional development, and opportunities to engage with peers who share similar academic and personal interests,” he says.

Mahomes also sought out hands-on legal experience, which he found at Chicago-Kent.

“My academic experience at Illinois Tech has been rigorous and highly practical, with a strong emphasis on clinics and real-world application,” he says. “The program’s focus on legal writing and skill development has been especially valuable in preparing me for practice.”

During his time at Chicago-Kent, he’s worked with clients and tackled real legal conundrums. He clerked in the City of Chicago’s Law Department, then spent two semesters interning at the Estate Planning, Probate and Transactional Law Clinic that is part of Chicago-Kent’s in-house C-K Law Group. He followed those experiences with an internship at Arjo, a company that builds mobility devices, and an externship at the Circuit Court of Cook County.

“These experiences have built my confidence, strengthened my practical legal skills, and expanded my professional network,” says Mahomes. “They have also helped me better understand how my legal education translates directly into practice.”

“The most impactful experience has been seeing how much professional experience I’ve gained as a law student and how directly it connects back to what I learned in the classroom,” he continues. “Applying legal theory to real clients and real problems reinforced the value of a practice-focused education.”

Mahomes says none of this would have been possible without Chicago-Kent’s scholarship support.

“The scholarship significantly reduced my financial stress and made attending law school possible,” he says. “It also allowed me to focus more fully on academic and professional opportunities without the constant pressure of financial uncertainty.”

And Conviser Law Center’s location in downtown Chicago helped make Mahomes’ success possible.

“Attending a university in Chicago has given me access to a wide range of employment opportunities across different legal settings,” he says. “The city has also provided exceptional networking opportunities with practitioners, judges, and organizations.”

“The downtown law school campus has a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere where I’ve made lasting memories, lifelong friends, and meaningful connections with faculty mentors,” he continues. “Between courses, student organizations, and events, Chicago-Kent offers a strong sense of community where everyone can find a place to belong.”