Through its Graduate Fellowship Program, PILI partners with Chicago law firms to place new associates at public interest law agencies across Illinois. Fellows are compensated by their hiring firm for 300 hours of work between graduation and the start of their firm employment.

To ensure a high level of professional development, PILI provides quality supervision by experienced attorneys, along with additional educational, networking, and advising opportunities. Currently, we offer Fellowship placements at 60 Participating Agencies throughout Illinois.

PILI Fellows gain a competitive advantage when they begin their careers. While preparing for the bar exam, they enhance their lawyering skills, expand their professional networks, and acquire hands-on experience in the field. Additionally, PILI Fellows are introduced to pro bono work early in their careers, encouraging them to sustain a pro bono practice long after joining their firms.

Work Experience

PILI Fellows work on a wide and diverse range of issues depending on the agency where they serve. In addition to direct client services, PILI Fellows also work on transactional matters such as policy development and analysis, advocacy, impact litigation and more.

Here’s a look at the kind of work PILI Fellows have done recently:

• worked on a direct appeal for a client on death row;
• assisted at an adult guardianship help desk, drafting temporary guardianship documents,
• as well as wills, living wills and powers of attorney for low-income seniors;
• helped incorporate new small businesses and nonprofit organizations; and
• prepped cases for trial, facilitated plea agreements, and assisted with arraignments.

Learn more about PILI’s Participating Agencies, including position descriptions »

Meet our current class of Interns and Fellows »

Advising

PILI offers the opportunity for Fellows to be placed with an advisor from PILI’s Board of Directors or Alumni Network for career guidance, networking inroads and a personal introduction to the Illinois legal community. This is a chance to get connected and start building your professional network from the beginning of your legal career.

Learn more about PILI’s Advising Program »

Education

As a PILI Fellow, your education does not just happen at your agency. PILI organizes a series of weekly educational seminars for Fellows over the summer, covering a range of hard skills and substantive law topics related to public interest law and pro bono, as well as career development issues for new lawyers interested in pro bono.

See a list of upcoming PILI educational and networking events »

Learn more about the PILI Alumni Network »

What about the bar exam?

PILI Fellows regularly report that they have adequate time to study. In fact, many say that  their Fellowship experience adds a welcome structure to this bar study period. Agencies hosting PILI Fellows are flexible with Fellows’ schedules to ensure ample bar study time. PILI Fellows typically register for the afternoon or evening bar review class so they can work in the morning and attend PILI’s lunchtime educational programs too.

How to apply:

1. Confirm that your law firm participates in the PILI Graduate Fellowship Program.
2. Visit our website to read about the participating agencies and to see position descriptions for each agency.
3. Apply to up to 10 agencies through our website starting on October 15th.
4. Interview directly with the agencies. Agencies select from among their applicants who they want to interview and ultimately hire.
5. Confirm your hire as a Graduate Fellow with PILI.

More on how to apply »

Law Firms Can Sponsor PILI Fellows:

Firms can benefit from their Fellows’ experience and training in law as well as their connections to public interest law agencies once they start at the firm. Participation also serves as an excellent recruitment tool, demonstrating your firm’s commitment to pro bono.

Learn more about sponsoring PILI Fellows and see a list of our current Graduate Fellow sponsors »