15 Law Internships for Undergraduates in Chicago
Are you an undergraduate student in Chicago with dreams of pursuing a career in law? Law internships for undergraduates in Chicago are a valuable way to gain real-world experience and explore the legal field before pursuing a career in law school.
Chicago, with its dynamic legal landscape from public interest organizations and civil rights groups to municipal law offices and legal nonprofits, offers a wealth of internship opportunities. Law internships for undergraduates in Chicago also help reduce travel and housing costs for local students and provide hands-on exposure to legal research, client advocacy, courtroom observation, and policy work.
Whether you're looking to intern at a civil liberties organization like the ACLU of Illinois, support immigration justice at NIJC, or work within local government legal departments, we’ve curated a list of 15 law internships for undergraduates in Chicago to aid you. They also include a few virtual law internships that allow students in Chicago to apply.
1. City of Chicago Dept. of Law – Pre-Law Volunteer Program
Location: City of Chicago Law Department, Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Highly qualified high school or college students or graduates
If you are a law student, law graduate, or lawyer, you can gain real-world legal experience with the City of Chicago Law Department by working as a legal extern, law clerk, summer intern, post-graduate fellow, or attorney. You will work with City lawyers, join client meetings, help with negotiations, do legal research, and write motions. These roles give you a clear view of public service and the work lawyers do in one of the largest law offices in the country. Make sure to apply early, since fingerprinting and background checks are required. The Law Department welcomes people from all backgrounds and supports diversity and inclusion in the legal field.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available) | None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; Fall cohort deadline is 24 August
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship that is dynamic, often having raised substantial funding, with founders from top accelerators like YCombinator and companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
3. CAIR‑Chicago – Internship Program
Location: CAIR‑Chicago office in downtown Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Very competitive
Dates: Winter‑Spring: January 1—May 15 | Summer: May 15—August 31 | Fall: September 1—December 31
Application Deadline: Winter‑Spring: December 1 | Summer: April 15 | Fall: August 1
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, or graduate students interested in civil rights and advocacy
The Internship Program at CAIR-Chicago, based in grassroots activism, offers you a great opportunity to learn law, interact with legal professionals, and grow your skills in a friendly and diverse environment. You will do tasks such as research, outreach, legal intake, communications, or policy support, depending on the internship you choose. You will learn about Islamic civil rights, community engagement, legal intake processes, and advocacy tools. You will build research, writing, communication, and organizational skills, attend orientations, trainings, and team meetings, and do tasks that support legal and grassroots advocacy work. You gain valuable public service and leadership experience.
4. World Relief Chicagoland – Internship Program
Location: World Relief Chicagoland office in Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer terms last around three months
Application Deadline: Rolling basis year year-round
Eligibility: Undergraduate or recent graduate interested in refugee and immigration services
In the World Relief Chicagoland internship program, you join a team helping refugees with case management, ESL support, legal aid, or community outreach. You work in resettlement advocacy policy or administrative roles, depending on your placement. Interns can support attorneys and legal staff in helping clients through immigration processes, assist ESL instructors in teaching English to clients, and help support newly arrived refugees and immigrants through various tasks, such as helping with case files, organizing cultural orientation. You build communication, research, case coordination, and client coordination skills and learn cultural sensitivity, empathy, and legal aid basics.
5. Office of the Illinois Governor – Office of Equity Internship
Location: Governor’s Office (Springfield or Chicago)
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Highly Selective
Dates: Summer: June 1— August 1 | Fall: September 8—December 12 | Spring: January 20—May 22
Application Deadline: Summer: April 14 | Fall: June 30 | Spring: October 31
Eligibility: Must be an Illinois resident currently pursuing a college or university degree or certification | Must have a source of academic credit or funding from their institution | Demonstrate a commitment to DEIA values through community service, activism, advocacy, academic work, or extracurricular activities.
The Office of the Illinois Governor’s Office of Equity internship is a part-time opportunity that allows highly motivated undergraduate students to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the State of Illinois government. You help with DEIA research, draft policy guidance, and assist with training materials or outreach initiatives. You will also attend meetings with government leaders, advocates, and DEIA stakeholders. You will also assist with planning for the Office’s DEIA-focused initiatives and programming. You learn policy analysis, data collection, facilitation, and leadership in state-level equity work. You will also gain experience in government work and develop public service skills.
6. Children’s Legal Center (CLC) – Student Internship / Work‑Study Program
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Law or undergraduate students and all majors
The Children’s Legal Center (CLC) Student Internship / Work‑Study Program is an immersive experience based in Chicago that welcomes both undergraduate and law students interested in child advocacy, legal work, and public interest issues. As an intern, you will get exposure to topics such as immigration law, children’s rights, family law, and legal services for underserved youth. You will draft memos, support casework, interview clients, gather important facts, help organize legal documents, and work alongside attorneys, social workers, and advocates. This role will help you strengthen your legal research, analytical reasoning, problem-solving, teamwork, and professional communication skills, which are highly valued in legal careers.
7. Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) – Legal/Policy Advocacy Intern
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Academic year, semester, and summer
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Undergraduates, graduates, and law students with interest in housing and homelessness, advocacy, policy research, and public service
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is a policy and advocacy organization that works to end homelessness by focusing on root causes, such as lack of affordable housing, healthcare, and unemployment. As a policy intern, you will use your research, writing, and communication skills to support campaigns on housing, jobs, criminal justice, and youth homelessness. You will help track and analyze laws and policies, write reports, and support staff in meetings, advocacy events, and lobby days. You may also gather and study data, attend coalition meetings, and work with different teams across the organization. You will build skills in policy research, data analysis, and advocacy.
8. FBI (Chicago Division) – Honors Internship Program (HIP)
Location: FBI Chicago Field Office
Cost/Stipend: None | Paid (amount unspecified)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Summer, typically June–August
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizens | Attending a U.S.-accredited college university as an undergraduate, graduate, or a post-doctoral student | Minimum GPA ≥ 3.0
The FBI (Chicago Division) – Honors Internship Program (HIP) is a prestigious, paid, 10-week summer internship that offers undergraduate and graduate students hands-on opportunities in criminal justice, national security, cybersecurity, and related topics. You will work side-by-side with special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff on real investigations and operational projects, matched to your background and interests, ranging from policy and legal research to forensic science, data analysis, and cybersecurity. You will attend intelligence briefings, assisting with casework in specialized squads, supporting investigations, and participating in specialized tours and training. You will also get to learn investigative methods, professional communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and federal operations.
9. State of Illinois – Michael J. Curry Summer Internship (Governor’s Office)
Location: State agencies in Chicago or Springfield
Cost/Stipend: None | $2,700/month
Acceptance Rate: Highly Selective
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Illinois residents who are college juniors, seniors, or graduate students authorized to work without employer sponsorship
The Michael Curry Summer Internship Program offers you an opportunity to work in one of the agencies under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Governor for 10 weeks during the summer. You can choose placements in a variety of agencies under the Governor’s Office, such as the Department of Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency, or Public Health, where you will engage in substantive policy work, research, and public service. You will support state agency operations, conducting policy analysis and research, preparing reports and official documents, and helping with community outreach or public affairs initiatives. You learn professional writing, analysis, government workflow, teamwork, and public policy development.
10. Cook County Juvenile Probation and Court Services Internship
Location: Cook County Juvenile Probation Department, Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Fall, spring, or summer
Application Deadline: 8 weeks before the start of the semester; student should contact the Internship Coordinator directly to find out the deadline for a specific semester
Eligibility: Must be a junior or senior in college
The Juvenile Probation Department offers an internship for college students studying criminal justice, public policy, psychology, sociology, political science, or education. You will shadow probation officers and learn how the court system works. You will also help with tasks such as interviewing young people on probation, helping with risk assessments, visiting homes, attending court, preparing reports, joining school meetings, and supporting youth on intensive probation. Your activities will be supervised, enabling you to learn while gaining hands-on experience. You will build skills in case management, legal research, communication, and advocacy.
11. Northwestern University’s Law & Legal Advocacy Internships
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Fall, winter, spring, and summer
Application Deadline: Varies as per term
Eligibility: Must be a Northwestern undergraduate (not first-year) or graduate student in good academic standing
Northwestern University’s Law & Legal Advocacy Internships provide students with hands-on exposure to the legal field, covering topics such as civil government, criminal law, corporate counsel, media law, public interest law, and high-tech law. You will engage in activities like helping attorneys conduct legal research and draft legal documents, participating in client interviews and courtroom observations, assisting with trial preparation, and working on policy or advocacy projects under attorney supervision. Unique features of these internships include direct supervision by experienced attorneys and diverse practicum options that bridge theory and practice. You will learn critical skills such as legal analysis, persuasive writing, oral advocacy, client interviewing, and teamwork in a professional context.
12. University of Chicago Aspiring Attorneys Program
Location: University of Chicago campus, Hyde Park, Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Academic year (typically September–June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort/year
Eligibility: Rising first-year University of Chicago undergraduates. Prior legal experience is not required
The University of Chicago Aspiring Attorneys Program is a selective, year-long initiative designed for undergraduates interested in exploring legal careers and preparing for law school. You’ll join a cohort where you receive personalized career counseling, attend professional development workshops, and connect with practicing lawyers. You’ll be matched with a mentor, either an upperclassman or a law student and help plan your path to law school. You’ll take part in networking events, panels on specialty areas like corporate or IP law, and resume and cover letter workshops. Throughout your first year, you’ll gain funding support for one unpaid legal internship or research experience.
13. The Advocates for Human Rights – International Justice Program Intern
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Fall: September—December | Winter: Mid-December—January | Spring: January— May | Summer: May—August or September.
Application deadline: Fall: August 31 | Winter: November 30 | Spring: November 30 | Summer: March 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate or law students interested in human rights research
The Advocates for Human Rights – International Justice Program Intern is a dynamic position focused on promoting international human rights and justice. You will work towards involving volunteers in research, education, and advocacy to build broad constituencies around the world. You will help research international human rights law, compile country‑specific info, assist in report‑writing, and also help with outreach materials, training planning, and administrative work. You will gain exposure to real-world advocacy, participate in international accountability mechanisms, and get the chance to contribute to high-impact reports that are submitted to global organizations. You will develop skills in legal and policy research, cross-cultural communication, critical analysis, and project organization.
14. National District Attorneys Association – Policy & Research Intern
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Spring: January—May | Summer: June—August | Fall: September—December
Application Deadline: Spring: October 15 | Summer: February 15 | Fall: June 15
Eligibility: All undergraduate and master’s-level students, as well as recent graduates
As a National District Attorneys Association’s Policy and Research intern, you will work closely with NDAA staff on topics like child abuse, animal abuse, domestic violence, gangs, gun violence, legislative and policy issues, and traffic law. You will research topics you are interested in and write articles for Prosecutor Magazine, published quarterly and sent to NDAA members. You will prepare reports as needed and gain real experience in criminal justice policy and writing. You will also collaborate with your school to arrange academic credit if needed. This program deepens your writing skills, your ability to take initiative, your teamwork, and your interest in government or criminal justice policy.
15. National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) – Legal Internship
Location: Virtual | Hybrid | On-site options available at NIJC’s headquarters in Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 10-12 weeks during Fall, Spring, and Summer | Fall and Spring: academic semester; Summer: May—August
Application Deadline: Summer: March 15; applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so early submission is recommended
Eligibility: Current undergraduates with an interest in social justice, law, or immigration issues
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) works on protecting the rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through legal services, court cases, advocacy, and public education. You will work on a range of complex legal topics, including asylum claims, detention/deportation defense, DACA, family-based immigration, and immigrant children's rights. You will work closely with immigrant communities and conduct client intake interviews, draft legal briefs, prepare research memos, and assist attorneys with case management and filings. If you know any other language, you will also help translate documents. The internship gives you exposure to high-impact litigation and mentorship from experienced attorneys in a nationally recognized nonprofit.
Image Source - CAIR Chicago Website