Julie LaEace

Julie LaEace leads the firm’s pro bono program and social responsibility efforts. 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.    

Julie focuses on making pro bono work accessible to all the firm’s lawyers by broadening available opportunities, increasing communication, and streamlining policies and processes. Under her leadership, Ashurst Perkins Coie rose 26 spots on The American Lawyer’s 2024 Pro Bono Scorecard, which ranks the top U.S. law firms based on the breadth and depth of their commitment to pro bono legal service.   

Julie draws on more than 13 years of experience in pro bono and social impact roles at large law firms. She is also active in the nonprofit community. Julie currently serves on the board of the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, has served on the board of the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, was previously a member of the Chicago Bar Foundation Advisory Committee on Training and Professional Development in Legal Aid, and is a longtime member of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel. Drawing upon a background in pro bono, social impact, and lawyer development, Julie was also a contributing author to An Associate’s First Year: A Guide to Thriving at a Law Firm (2018 and 2025 editions), and The Best Lawyer You Can Be: A Guide to Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-Being (2018). 

Earlier in her career, Julie was an employment and benefits lawyer at two large law firms in Chicago.