Deanna Nila
Deanna Nila brings a researcher’s attention to detail and a commitment to making legal questions easier for clients to understand.
- Clinical research experience at Michigan Medicine
- Represented immigration clients as a Rule 711 student attorney
- Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Law Update
Deanna Nila
Attorney in Champaign, IL
Deanna’s work brings together her experience in healthcare research, public service, and client advocacy. At Heyl Royster’s Champaign office, she handles workers’ compensation, casualty and tort, and medical malpractice matters. She approaches each case by asking how the events unfolded, what is at stake, and how the available options fit the client’s priorities.
Before practicing law, Deanna contributed to clinical studies at Michigan Medicine on substance use, firearm safety, and youth violence prevention. This work gave her experience evaluating sensitive information in healthcare settings. She also interned with the Michigan House of Representatives, addressing constituent concerns and drafting communications on legislative developments.
During law school, Deanna gained experience on both sides of the courtroom. As a judicial extern in Illinois’ Tenth Judicial Circuit Court, she conducted research and assisted with writing assignments. In the University of Illinois College of Law’s Immigration Law Clinic, she represented clients under a Rule 711 student practice license. She joined Heyl Royster as a summer associate in 2025, working on civil litigation and transactional matters. This experience informs her interest in the intersection of legal issues and how firm-wide collaboration can address clients’ broader needs.
Deanna earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law, where she served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Law Update and a Notes Editor for the Illinois Business Law Journal. She also held leadership roles in the Latinx Law Student Association and Women’s Law Society. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan, with minors in Latina/o Studies and Law, Justice, and Social Change.
Outside the office, Deanna enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with her cat, and exploring through travel and walks. She has also volunteered with English-language learners and tutored students preparing for the SAT.
Credentials
Education:
J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, cum laude
B.A., University of Michigan, University Honors
Licensure(s) and Admission(s):
State Courts of Illinois
Languages:
English and Spanish
Public Profile
Deanna’s work brings together her experience in healthcare research, public service, and client advocacy. At Heyl Royster’s Champaign office, she handles workers’ compensation, casualty and tort, and medical malpractice matters. She approaches each case by asking how the events unfolded, what is at stake, and how the available options fit the client’s priorities.
Before practicing law, Deanna contributed to clinical studies at Michigan Medicine on substance use, firearm safety, and youth violence prevention. This work gave her experience evaluating sensitive information in healthcare settings. She also interned with the Michigan House of Representatives, addressing constituent concerns and drafting communications on legislative developments.
During law school, Deanna gained experience on both sides of the courtroom. As a judicial extern in Illinois’ Tenth Judicial Circuit Court, she conducted research and assisted with writing assignments. In the University of Illinois College of Law’s Immigration Law Clinic, she represented clients under a Rule 711 student practice license. She joined Heyl Royster as a summer associate in 2025, working on civil litigation and transactional matters. This experience informs her interest in the intersection of legal issues and how firm-wide collaboration can address clients’ broader needs.
Deanna earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law, where she served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Law Update and a Notes Editor for the Illinois Business Law Journal. She also held leadership roles in the Latinx Law Student Association and Women’s Law Society. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan, with minors in Latina/o Studies and Law, Justice, and Social Change.
Outside the office, Deanna enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with her cat, and exploring through travel and walks. She has also volunteered with English-language learners and tutored students preparing for the SAT.
