Law students supervised by our legal content managers, who are Illinois-licensed attorneys with legal aid practice experience, help ILAO reduce the justice gap. We offer several remote opportunities for law students to draft, research, and edit legal content.
Except for PILI Fellows, who serve during their bar exam summer, ILAO can only host student volunteers who are currently in school. We rely on students to have access to research databases, technical support, and additional guidance through their law schools. Recent graduates are encouraged to explore our attorney volunteer programs after licensure.
Project-based volunteers (unpaid)
ILAO offers occasional unpaid volunteer opportunities for law students to help with specific research and drafting assignments. Requests for volunteers are posted on Paladin when we have short-term projects available.
We also work with law schools directly to jointly host opportunities for students seeking volunteer hours.
Interns and externs
ILAO provides four options for hands-on learning to law students who live in Illinois and attend an Illinois law school:
- Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Law Student Internships (apply through PILI),
- Internships for students with outside funding (posted on law school job boards when available),
- One internship paid by ILAO (posted on law school job boards when available), and
- Externships for students who want to receive academic credit (posted through participating law schools).
Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Fellows
ILAO is proud to participate in PILI’s Graduate Fellowship Programs for students who are starting their legal careers at sponsor firms. Apply for these roles in PILI’s online application system.