Law Student Internship Opportunities in Public Interest Law

A law student internship with a public interest organization is a great way to obtain practical skills and training, explore an area of law about which you are passionate, and provide needed legal services to clients in need. Internships may be funded by your school, the organization itself or a third-party organization like PILI. In addition to applying for PILI’s Law Student Internship Program, we encourage you to explore other funding opportunities as well.

See a list of paid public interest law internship opportunities »

Find out more about other Illinois public interest law job & post graduate fellowship postings »

PILI events for law students:

• Explore the Possibilities: Public Interest Law Program for Law Students – St. Louis

  September 19th, 2026 - 9:30 am, at Washington University School of Law
  This program is for law students who are interested in learning more about placements as volunteers, interns, externs, fellows or staff in the public interest law sector.

• Explore the Possibilities: Public Interest Law Program for Law Students – Chicago

  October 17th, 2026 - 10:00 am, at Chicago-Kent College of Law
  This program is for law students who are interested in learning more about placements as volunteers, interns, externs, fellows or staff in the public interest law sector.

Helpful Articles & Resources

Opportunities for Law Students Pursuing Public Interest Careers
Details the various ways law students can gain public interest law experience though externships, internships (paid and unpaid), clinics, pro bono service and other volunteer opportunities.

Illinois 711 License: Providing Legal Services While in Law School
This article will provide a short explanation of the requirements for a 711 license and information on how to obtain the license.