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.

PILI Law Student Internship Program

PILI funds school-year and summer Internships for law students to work at an approved public interest law agency in Illinois. We ensure quality supervision by experienced agency attorneys, and provides supplemental educational, networking and mentoring opportunities.

Equal Justice America

Equal Justice America awards law students spring, summer and fall fellowships to work with organizations that deliver civil legal services to those most in need.

Equal Justice Works Summer Corps Program

The Equal Justice Works Summer Corps Program provides law students with the opportunity to dedicate their summer to a legal project at a qualifying nonprofit public interest organization.

Law School-Funded Internships

Many law schools sponsor public interest law internships. Learn more about law school sponsored internships in Illinois »


This is not an exhaustive list. You can learn more by searching for internship and post-graduate opportunities on PSJD or through your law school’s career services office.