Meet Simone, our rockstar law intern
LATF Intern Spotlight: Simone Atkinson
By Law And The Fam LLC
Published: 8/4/2025
Contact: get@lawandthefam.com
Dear LATF Community,
We are proud to spotlight our rising legal eagle Simone Atkinson, LATF’s summer intern. Simone is a first-generation college student, majoring in political science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is an all-star legal talent, with great behind-the-desk skills and key front office wit.
With her sharp focus on studying legal systems, Simone has already navigated a lot of legal work. Prior to LATF, Simone interned at the Public Defender’s Office in Vermilion County, getting a view of the criminal justice system. She interned with the Honorable Robin Kelly in the U.S. Congress, learning the legislative system. She founded the Student Democrats organization at Danville Area Community College, showing her civic savvy and acumen for community development. Learn more about Simone, by connecting with her on LinkedIn here.
“At LATF, Simone is getting a masterclass in executing law and economics to repair systemic blight with entrepreneurship.”
—Atty. S.L. Owens, LATF Partner
Simone grew up in Danville, Illinois, a Central Illinois community that has experienced historic disinvestment and systemic economic blight. Danville is fighting economic challenges such as:
blighted business corridors
high unemployment rates
poor access to the digital economy, and
growing legal service deserts.
Overall, Danville’s entrepreneurs are up against high stake economic challenges as they try to scale.
LATF is on a mission to fight systemic economic blight with entrepreneurship. Our firm has partnerships with organizations like the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity “DCEO” and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority “ICJIA.” We empower entrepreneurs in blighted urban and rural areas of Illinois to solve problems for their communities.
“As LATF’s summer intern, Simone is helping our firm create bankable pathways and build entrepreneurial ecosystems for entrepreneurs investing in blighted communities in Illinois.”
—Atty. Sam Owens, LATF Partner
Simone is especially passionate about using law and policy as tools to create systemic change, particularly in historically disinvested communities. Her interests emphasize civil rights and legislative advocacy, and she plans to attend law school after completing her undergraduate studies.
Please join us in congratulating Simone, and welcoming her to LATF, where she brings a thoughtful, community-centered approach to everything she does.
Lastly, keep up with LATF on Instagram, and by following S.L. and Sam on LinkedIn. :)
Signed,
—Sam Owens, Esq., Chief Legal Officer
—S.L. Owens, Esq., Chief Content Creator
This project is supported by a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Points of view or opinions contained within this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State of Illinois, or the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.
