For Current PILI Interns
The below information is meant for current PILI Interns. Please contact PILI's Attorney Program Manager Arthur Surratt by email or by phone at 312-832-5130 with any questions.
Educational Seminar Series
As a PILI Intern, your education doesn’t just happen at your agency. PILI organizes a series of weekly educational seminars for Interns over the summer, covering a range of hard skills and substantive law topics related to public interest law and pro bono. We also discuss career development ideas for law students interested in public interest law. Additionally, each fall and spring, we host at least one educational program for school-year PILI Interns.
View upcoming PILI educational and networking events »
Check out last year's Summer Educational Programming schedule »
An online archive of past PILI educational seminars, covering a variety of topics in public interest law and professional development, is available on our YouTube channel.
ADVISING
As a PILI Intern, you can 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 great opportunity to get connected and start building your professional network from the beginning of your legal career.
Learn more about PILI’s Advising Program »
About PILI's Internship Stipend
Interns are typically paid $6,200 for 400 hours full-time during the summer and $3,100 for 200 hours part-time during the semester, less applicable taxes.
Unlike many internship programs, PILI does not pay stipends directly to our Interns. Rather, PILI makes a grant directly to the agency in the amount of the stipend. Interns are then paid by the agency based on the payroll procedures as a regular, temporary employee. This means Interns will receive a regular paycheck (typically on a monthly or bi-monthly basis) for the duration of their Internship. Interns will not receive the stipend as a lump sum at the beginning of the Internship and taxes will be deducted.
If you are a PILI Intern and experience any issues receiving your paycheck from your agency, or if you do not receive the full amount less applicable taxes, please contact PILI's Attorney Program Manager Arthur Surratt by email immediately.
Service Tracking Forms and Program Evaluation
PILI requires summer Interns to complete two service tracking forms, which will be sent out via email at the end of June and the beginning of August, as well as an evaluation after the conclusion of your Internship. School-year Interns will fill out a combined service tracking & evaluation form. PILI relies heavily on this information to improve the Internship Program, and to provide information to many of the program's funders. Click here for more information.
You can also download a Client Service Tracking Sheet. This is an optional tool to help you keep track of the work you do and clients you serve, so that you can provide accurate feedback to PILI about your Internship.
If you are having any problems or issues with your Internship that you would like PILI to address immediately, don’t wait for the evaluation period. Please contact us right away.
Community
When you become a PILI Intern, you join a class of over 100 law students and graduates serving the public interest through PILI that year. PILI also offers a range of social and networking opportunities as part of our Internship program. As a PILI Intern, you become part of a distinguished group of 4,000 law students and lawyers who have been PILI Law Student Interns or Graduate Fellows since PILI was founded in 1977. With PILI’s Alumni Network, you can stay connected to PILI throughout your career through educational, networking, service and leadership opportunities.
Meet our current class of Interns and Fellows »
Learn more about the PILI Alumni Network »
Tips on making the most of your PILI Internship
The value of a PILI Internship can be both personal and professional as you experience the world of legal aid, expand your network and gain practical legal skills. Tips compiled by agency supervisors and former Interns and Fellows can help you make the most of this valuable experience. Click here to download (pdf).
Resources for Current PILI Interns in Chicago
Whether you are visiting Chicago for your Internship or you live here, we want to help you make the most of your time and money. We have collected information regarding Chicago summer housing, transportation, discounts to national and local vendors, and Chicago-area events. Find additional resources »
PILI Facebook Spotlight
Each Friday, PILI spotlights one Intern or Fellow and the work they are doing on our Facebook page. This is a great way to introduce yourself to the Illinois legal community. If you would like to be featured in a spotlight, please contact Camille Fleming.
If you have any other questions about your Internship, or if you require special assistance, auxiliary aids, or other accommodations to fully participate in the PILI Law Student Internship Program, please contact PILI's Attorney Program Manager Arthur Surratt by email or by phone at 312-832-5130 with any questions.