Our Team

In 2022, Denise Conklin began serving as the Executive Director of Prairie State Legal  Services, Inc. (PSLS). Prior to that appointment, Denise served as the Managing Attorney  of PSLS’ Peoria and Galesburg offices. Denise began her career at PSLS in 2004 as a  Volunteer Attorney in PSLS’ Peoria office and became a Staff Attorney in 2007.  

Prior to joining PSLS, Denise worked as a Senior Associate in the Litigation Department  of the Katten Muchin Rosenman law firm in Chicago, Illinois. In 1997, Denise graduated  Magna Cum Laude with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of  Law. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of  Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1994. 

Denise is admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois and in federal court. Her poverty  law practice included criminal records relief, education law, housing law, government  benefits and family law. In her current role as Executive Director, Denise is committed to  high quality legal services, staff success, process and systems improvement, and revenue  development. Denise is married and has three children.

Sam DiGrino is the Director of Legal Operations. He joined Prairie State Legal Services in 2007 as a Staff Attorney and was hired in 2012 to lead Prairie State’s Foreclosure Defense Program before becoming Managing Attorney of the Waukegan office in 2014.

Sam has represented housing, consumer, family, municipal, and education clients at Prairie State. He earned his undergraduate degree from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, and his law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois.

Jerry Dombrowski is the Director of Information Technology (IT). He oversees all aspects of computing, networking, cybersecurity, and IT resources. Jerry began his career at Prairie State in 2014 as a staff attorney focusing on housing and eviction cases. He then transitioned into the Director of IT role utilizing his extensive background in IT. Previously, Jerry has worked for the Rockford Park District, Northwestern University’s IT department for University Enrollment, Mosaic Technologies, and the Barbara Olson Center of Hope.

Jerry holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management from Elmhurst University and a J.D. from Northern Illinois University.

Melissa Sobol Fuechtmann joined Prairie State Legal Services as a telephone counseling attorney in 2006 and became the Managing Attorney of the Telephone Counseling Service in 2017. As a telephone counseling attorney, Ms. Fuechtmann provides legal advice and referrals on a wide range of civil matters, including housing, family, consumer, and public benefits. She manages the daily operation of the Telephone Counseling Service, including supervision and support of the attorneys and intake specialists. She also manages the technology needs for the client call center and online applications. Ms. Fuechtmann graduated from DePaul University College of Law and was licensed in Illinois in 2005.

Jessica Hodierne is the Director of Human Resources. She leads Prairie State’s human resources policies, programs, practices, and objectives that provide an employee-oriented, high performance culture that emphasizes empowerment, quality, productivity, goal attainment, and the recruitment, retention and ongoing development of a superior workforce.

Jessica joined Prairie State Legal Services in 2012 as an AmeriCorps VISTA in our Peoria office, There, she developed that office’s first medical-legal partnership with the local Federally Qualified Health Center and represented clients in administrative hearings. She later transitioned into the role of Administrative Manager and oversaw the office’s major grants, office operations, and handling local human resources tasks. She was hired as the Director of Human Resources in 2018.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Western Illinois University and is a Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional.

Katie Liss is Director of Complex and Appellate Litigation for Prairie State Legal Services. Katie strives to elevate the impact and quality of PSLS' work by guiding and supporting the agency's most complex cases, including in federal and appellate court.

Katie began her career as a Seniors’ Project Staff Attorney at PSLS' Waukegan office from 2008-2011. She worked for Ascend Justice as a family law attorney and then for several years as a senior attorney in Legal Aid Chicago’s Consumer Practice Group, where her practice included bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, student loan issues, and consumer fraud. From March 2020-June 2021, Katie worked as Director of the Anti-Predatory Lending Database (“APLD”), Consumer Complaints and Investigations for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Katie implemented changes that brought more accountability to the APLD and she also aided in the creation of a new state law which incentivizes safer mortgage lending practices by state-regulated financial institutions to low and moderate-income communities.

Katie is a past chair, vice-chair and presenter for the Chicago Bar Association’s Consumer Law Committee. She is a graduate of UW-Madison and the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Jenn Luczkowiak is the Director of Resource Development. She oversees the marketing and communications efforts and fundraising efforts from individual, corporate, and small foundation donors.

Jenn previously served as Prairie State Legal Services’ Project Director of the Legal Help for Homeowners Project at PSLS, which provided legal counsel and representation for homeowners and tenants facing foreclosure. Before arriving at PSLS, Ms. Luczkowiak worked for the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley serving homeless and runaway youth as an Equal Justice Works Fellow and Staff Attorney. She received her B.A. from Northwestern University and her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Emily Petri is the Director of Legal Services for Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS). She provides support and direction to advance casework and ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services across PSLS’ service area.

Emily joined PSLS in 2012 as a Staff Attorney. In 2022, Emily became a Supervising Attorney in PSLS’ Bloomington Office. Emily has represented clients in a wide range of civil matters including family law, housing law, fair housing, government benefits, education law and criminal record relief.

Emily is a graduate of Illinois State University and the University of Illinois College of Law.

Jean brings more than 30 years of finance experience in multiple industries, including printing, vehicle and food manufacturing, health care, and accounting and advisory services. She is responsible for the overall management of PSLS financial operations, including Financial Reporting, Payroll and Benefits Management, Budget Preparation and Program Reporting, and Property and Insurance.

Most recently, Jean worked at MercyHealth in Rockford, IL as the supervisor of reimbursement in their Finance Department. She previously worked for six years as Controller/Director of Revenue Cycle for Rockford-based non-profit, Rosecrance Health Network.

Jean received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Organizational Administration from Oklahoma State University, and her MBA from Northern Illinois University.

Kim Thielbar is the Director of Pro Bono Services. She helps evaluate, organize and expand Prairie State’s overall pro bono program and connects volunteers with clients in need of critical civil legal aid services.

Kim has worked at Prairie State Legal Services since 2013, first as a Staff Attorney in the Rockford office, and then as that office’s Managing Attorney in 2015. She was hired as Director of Pro Bono Services in 2019. Prior to joining Prairie State, Kim worked as a Public Interest Fellow at Equip for Equality in Chicago, working in the Special Education Clinic.

In 2016, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce designated Kim one of its “40 Leaders Under 40.” In 2017, RAMP Center for Independent Living awarded Kim its “Youth Advocate of the Year” award. In 2019, the Rockford Register Star profiled Kim as part of its “Next Up” series focused on future leaders of the Rock River Valley.

Kim received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, and a law degree from Loyola University in Chicago.

Matt Vasquez is PSLS’ General Counsel. Prior to joining PSLS, Matt spent time as a Project Manager and as General Counsel for a non-profit organization. His work involved negotiating leases and third party agreements, among many other areas of law. He also worked with leadership to expedite the implementation of new policies and protocols. Matt has worked as a Project Manager in the legal and chemical engineering fields.

Matt is a graduate of Lewis University, Northwestern University and University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

Monica Bayne is PSLS’ Manager of Communications, and is responsible for all internal and external communications efforts. Monica comes to PSLS with more than a decade of communications experience. Her communications training began at the University of Miami where she studied broadcast journalism and political science.

Paris Brandy is the Community Engagement Manager for Prairie State Legal Services. He is responsible for developing and implementing the Strategic Outreach Plan for PSLS’ 36 counties. This work ultimately guides the legal priorities the firm will pursue. He also supervises all outreach staff for all 11 PSLS offices. Paris began working for PSLS in 2022 as the Community Advocate in the Rock Island (now Moline) office. There, he worked to advocate for the local community and establish relationships with key stakeholders to drive the firm's mission forward.

Paris’ public service began when he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a security forces member in 2001. He served during operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom in 2001. Once done honorably serving, Paris went back home as a community organizer educating Chicago’s low income communities on financial literacy and independence. During that time, Paris recognized the bigger impact he needed to make and joined the social services world. He became the youngest person appointed to a director role and as Assistant Director of Programs at The Inner Voice, Inc., Paris oversaw permanent supportive housing, transitional housing and veteran job readiness programs. Paris worked for seven years in this arena and served as the Co-Chair of Chicago’s Coordinated Entry Leadership Committee. His leadership helped design Chicago’s present day Homeless Entry System.

Paris received his paralegal certification in 2006 from Career Colleges of Chicago. His other major affiliations are: The National Association of Legal Assistants (Member), The Project of the Quad Cities (Board Member) and Continuum of Care (COC) 518 (Board Member).

Britta Johnson is the Manager of Training. She develops, coordinates, and manages various training to ensure PSLS staff are empowered and supported in providing our clients with high-quality legal services.

Britta's journey with PSLS began in 2017 as a law student at the Peoria Office. Since then, she has transitioned into various roles, including representing clients across a spectrum of cases in state, federal and administrative courts. She obtained her J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.