ILAO’s Content Intern & Fellow (CIF) Program provides opportunities for law students to help develop and maintain legal information on IllinoisLegalAid.org under the supervision of our Illinois-licensed staff lawyers.
Through supporting our legal information work, students enhance their legal research and writing skills, practice project management techniques in a professional editorial environment, and learn about the diversity of legal aid careers. We also encourage former interns and fellows to build lasting relationships with ILAO and the legal aid community, including serving on our Young Professionals Board.
Due to the volume of interest, we do not accept unsolicited applications from law students. Please follow the instructions below to learn more about participating in our CIF Program. We currently offer:
- Student volunteer events hosted by law schools,
- Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) internships,
- Externships for academic credit at participating law schools,
- Externally funded internships arranged by law schools, and
- PILI Graduate Fellowship Programs for graduating students sponsored by firms.
ILAO is proud to offer student volunteer events for JD and LLM students. These opportunities are arranged directly with the sponsoring law school. Scheduling depends on current editorial needs. For students who complete volunteer hours with us, the CIF Program Manager will complete bar affidavits and other verification forms required for licensure.
To set up a student volunteer event, please ask the sponsoring law school to contact the CIF Program.
Current JD students who live in Illinois may join ILAO through student intern and fellow opportunities posted by PILI or arranged through their law schools. Specific application instructions are included in each posting. To set up an externship or an externally funded internship, ask the law school program coordinator to contact the CIF Program.
Fall and spring interns must be available at least 12 hours per week during regular Illinois business hours. The remaining work may be completed on weekends and in the evenings if needed. Typically, fall and spring internships require 200 hours of service during the semester. Fall and spring interns may have external practical legal commitments such as other externships, internships, clinics, legal jobs, or similar opportunities, as long as they can commit to at least 12 Illinois business hours per week with ILAO.
Summer interns must be available 40 hours per week during regular business hours for the entire summer. Typically, summer internships require 400 hours of service during the summer. We do not offer split summers. Summer interns cannot juggle multiple practical legal commitments, such as other externships, internships, clinics, legal jobs, or similar opportunities, while at ILAO.
All interns and fellows must:
- Live in Illinois for the duration of their time at ILAO,
- Work independently and remotely from an Illinois location, using their own equipment such as a computer and internet connection,
- Attend video calls scheduled during regular Illinois business hours,
- Complete work as assigned and follow internal procedures, and
- Fulfill all required hours for funding or academic credit.
