15 Legal Internships in Chicago for Undergraduates
If you’re a college student looking to strengthen your profile, Internships are one of the most effective ways to get started. They help you build your resume, improve your employability, and gain real-world experience in a field you’re interested in exploring. For students interested in law, Chicago is an especially strong place to gain experience. The city offers opportunities across major law firms, government offices, and nonprofit legal organizations, allowing students to explore different legal specializations without the need for relocation. You can also build connections with attorneys, firms, and organizations. Choosing a local internship in a city like Chicago also gives you access to a well-established legal network, diverse casework, and professional connections that matter the most.
If you’re interested in seeing what other law internships are available to undergraduates in general, you can find a list here!
Why should I do a Legal internship in college?
If you’re considering a career in law, a legal internship can give you valuable insight into what the profession is actually like on a daily basis. You may conduct legal research, organize case files, attend meetings, or observe court proceedings. These experiences help you understand how legal processes work beyond the classroom. Internships can also give you a competitive edge when applying to law school or entry-level roles. They show that you’ve already taken initiative, developed core skills, and know how to work in a professional environment, which can boost your chances of employability after graduation.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 legal internships in Chicago for undergraduates.
1. Chapman and Cutler LLP Law Firm Administrative Internship Program (LFAI)
Location: Chapman and Cutler LLP headquarters in Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Applications open on July 13
Eligibility: College students from any major and any year who have at least one semester of school left after the internship ends
TheChapman and Cutler LLP Law Firm Administrative Internship Program (LFAI) gives hands-on experience to the operational side of a law firm through an eight-week summer internship in the firm’s Chicago office. You’ll contribute to the firm’s daily operations and special projects across departments such as business operations, recruiting, facilities, security, finance, HR, marketing, IT, pro bono, strategy, and talent development. You’ll participate in training, receive mentoring opportunities, and work on assignments that will help you understand how a large law firm runs behind the scenes. You’ll also take part in networking and team-building activities with professional staff and attorneys across the firm. The internship will also help you explore careers within the legal industry and understand how administrative teams support legal practice.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type | financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 - 25% | 70 - 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts run throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
The Ladder University Internship Program is a virtual opportunity where undergraduates work with startups and nonprofits across a range of industries. You’ll develop a personal project aligned with the organization’s goals, complete smaller assignments throughout the program, and present your final work to a review board. You’ll receive guidance from a startup manager, a ladder coach, and a company coach while working on projects that organizations actively need support with. You can explore areas such as consulting, nonprofit work, finance, environmental science, tech, media, and more. Students interested in law can pursue projects connected to legal or policy-related issues, helping them understand how legal concepts apply in real-world environments. The program provides practical experience and allows you to develop both technical and professional skills through hands-on work.
3. Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) Legal Internships
Location: Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited positions are available
Dates: Minimum 10 weeks during spring, summer, and fall | January - May (spring) | May - August (summer) | August - December (fall)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in October for spring, February for summer, and June for fall internships
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law students
Cabrini Green Legal Aid offers internships for undergraduate, graduate, and law students where they can gain direct exposure to the criminal legal system through hands-on legal work. You'll work in criminal records relief, family law, housing law, criminal defense, and client intake. You’ll also develop skills in legal support, advocacy, and client storytelling. You’ll learn through an interdisciplinary approach that focuses on reducing barriers to equity. Spring and fall interns work for about 20 hours per week, while summer interns require about 40 hours weekly. These internships are unpaid, but the organization will support you in finding external funding or academic credit. Most roles are designed for law students, although some legal internships are open to undergraduates or non-students, depending on the posting, which is shared through Rippling.
4. Internship Program at CAIR-Chicago
Location: CAIR-Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: A minimum of 4 team members is selected by each department or division per session
Dates: January 1 - May 15 (winter/spring) | May 15 - August 31 (summer) | September 1 - December 31 (fall)
Application Deadline: December 1 (winter/spring) | April 15 (summer) | August 1 (fall) | rolling admissions
Eligibility: Undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students from any major, and high school students
The CAIR Chicago Internship Program allows undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in grassroots advocacy and explore legal and public service work. You’ll attend orientation and training sessions, work with staff on real projects, explore career paths, and take part in an evaluation and exit interview. The program runs year-round and can qualify for academic credit or community service through partnerships with more than 120 colleges and universities, including Ivy League, HBCU, Carnegie Research I universities, and UC and Texas system schools. You’ll be required to complete at least 144 hours over a minimum of 12 weeks, typically working more than 12 hours per week. Roles include civil rights law, communications, government affairs, operations, and outreach. Strong performance can lead to future opportunities when positions are available.
5. Student Legal Externships Chicago District Office
Location: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission-Chicago District, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Legal unit usually selects about 8 - 12 externs in the summer and fewer during the school year, depending on litigation needs
Dates: Summer, semester, or quarter externships are available | 400 hours in the summer and at least 150 hours during a semester in the school year
Application Deadline: February 1 (summer) | May 15 (fall) | November 1 (winter/spring)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and law students can apply | a B+ average or higher is preferred
The Legal Unit of the Chicago District Office offers externships for undergraduate, graduate, and law students during the summer, semester, or quarter. You’ll work on enforcing equal employment opportunity laws by helping lawyers handle cases against companies that violate these laws. You’ll also help with training and investigations across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. Your responsibilities may include legal research and writing, reviewing depositions, interviewing witnesses, building case databases, researching companies, responding to discovery requests, and summarizing case law. You’ll also observe depositions and court hearings to better understand legal processes. You will complete around 400 hours during the summer or at least 150 hours during an academic semester. You can submit a resume, cover letter, and transcript combined into a single PDF to Ethan Cohen at cdointcom@eeoc.gov or ethan.cohen@eeoc.gov.
6. Cook County Adult Probation College Internship
Location: Cook County Adult Probation Department's Training Division, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Semester-long program
Application Deadline: Applications should be submitted about 12 weeks before the start of the semester, quarter, or summer term being applied for
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of study and have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, along with at least a 2.75 GPA in their major on a 4.0 scale
The Cook County Adult Probation Department internship allows college students to explore the criminal justice system through a semester-long program. You’ll learn department policies, procedures, and court processes and gain real courtroom and case management experience. You’ll be expected to work at least two days each week and complete a minimum of 200 hours or meet your school’s internship requirements. You’ll work with an assigned probation officer, helping complete risk and needs assessments, interview probationers, and assist with supervision plans. You’ll also attend court hearings, conduct field visits, and prepare legal documents under supervision. This internship helps you build practical legal skills and provides direct exposure to how probation operates within the justice system.
7. Children’s Legal Center (CLC) Student Internship
Location: Children's Legal Center, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Full-time and part-time internships are available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Spanish-speaking undergraduate students from any major or law students at an accredited law school
The Children’s Legal Center internship in Chicago gives an immersive experience in child advocacy and public interest law. You’ll explore practice areas such as immigration law, children’s rights, and family law while assisting legal services for underserved youth. You’ll work with attorneys, social workers, and advocates on case-related tasks that may include drafting legal memos, gathering facts, interviewing clients, and organizing legal documents. You’ll also observe court proceedings and assist with litigation support and case management. Through this work, you’ll develop skills in legal research, problem-solving, analytical thinking, teamwork, and communication. The internship will help you understand how legal systems support child welfare and advocacy, give you practical insight into real legal work, and prepare you for future career roles in the legal field.
8. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Internships
Location: CTA Headquarters, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Interns earn $17 - $22 per hour based on their education level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: May 18 - July 31 (summer) | September 7 - December 11 (fall) | January 11 - April 16 (winter/spring)
Application Deadline: Application period for summer and year-long roles opens in January, with interviews starting in early February
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled full-time in an accredited degree program, with at least 12 credit hours for undergraduates or 6 credit hours for graduate students, and are authorized to work in the United States
The Chicago Transit Authority internship program offers undergraduate and graduate students paid, hands-on experience with one of the largest public transportation systems in the United States. You’ll work on projects and assignments based on department needs, with schedules of up to 15 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours weekly during summer or breaks. You can explore departments such as administration, finance, communication, planning, infrastructure, transit operations, and law. If you’re interested in working in the law department, you’ll conduct legal research, help draft memos, and assist attorneys. You’ll also gain insight into public sector legal work and build practical skills relevant to a legal career.
9. City of Chicago Department of Law Pre-Law Volunteer Program
Location: City of Chicago Law Department, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Flexible schedule | students must specify their weekly availability in hours, expected start and end dates, and the specific volunteer program they are applying for
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Highly qualified high school students, college students, or graduates
The City of Chicago Department of Law offers summer law clerk roles, post-graduate fellowships, externships, and volunteer opportunities for students. This includes a Pre-Law Volunteer Program for high school, college, and graduate students. You’ll take part in an unpaid externship focused on public service and gain exposure to real legal work. The department seeks applicants with strong academic performance and a clear interest in serving the community. Your experience will reflect the daily work of a large public law office, which will help you understand how law is practiced in a government environment. You can work on real-world cases, contribute to public service, and build legal skills. It is important to apply early because fingerprinting and background checks must be completed before starting the program.
10. World Relief Chicagoland – Internship Program
Location: World Relief Chicagoland, Aurora, Chicago, and DuPage County locations, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited positions are available
Dates: Internship opportunities are available year-round during fall, spring, and summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates, and career changers interested in refugee and immigrant services
At World Relief Chicagoland, you’ll gain hands-on nonprofit experience while working with refugees and immigrants through different programs. You’ll explore roles such as case management, ESL teaching, communications, and administrative work, as well as assist an immigration legal team. You’ll complete at least 100 service hours and can choose from areas such as adult education, youth programs, social services, employment services, and counseling support. If you work in immigrant legal services, you might help with data entry, filing, preparing legal forms, client communication, and attending legal and ethics training, as well as citizenship and DACA clinics. You’ll also help immigrant families adjust to life in the U.S. and connect with the community through church and volunteer activities. This internship will help you build practical skills in legal, social, and community-based work.
11. Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Program
Location: Multiple locations, including Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 9 - 10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the opportunity
Eligibility: Students in the third year of college or the second-to-last year of their degree program
The Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Program is a 9- to 10-week internship in which you work across investment banking, asset management, wealth management, global markets, engineering, strategy, risk, human capital management, and legal. You’ll attend orientation sessions on firm culture and expectations and work with professionals. Depending on your placement, you may conduct market research, analyze risk, support live deals, or contribute to technical projects. You’ll also attend firmwide training sessions and networking events, and gain mentorship opportunities. In legal-related areas, you’ll learn about compliance, financial regulation, corporate risk management, and transactional issues. Teams such as Global Compliance handle policies, audits, and regulatory inquiries, while the Legal Department supports investment, banking, and corporate legal decisions.
12. Cook County Juvenile Probation and Court Services Internship
Location: Cook County Juvenile Probation, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Offered in spring, summer, and fall, with each term lasting about 12 to 15 weeks, depending on the semester
Application Deadline: Applications should be submitted about 8 weeks before the semester starts | you can contact the Internship Coordinator directly to confirm the deadline for a specific semester
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students in non-clinical programs
The Cook County Juvenile Probation and Court Services Internship allows undergraduate juniors, seniors, and graduate students to explore fields such as criminal justice, sociology, public policy, and education. You’ll gain hands-on legal experience in courtroom work, research, case management, and advocacy, and learn how juvenile justice systems operate. You’ll explore specialized units and shadow field officers. You’ll also get an overview of department policies, procedures, and court processes. You may work directly with probation officers and families, help with tasks such as conducting risk and needs assessments, interviewing probationers, and participating in field visits. You’ll also join IEP meetings, prepare court documents, attend hearings, and assist with intensive probation work, all under supervision. You’ll need to attend a one-day orientation and work at least two full days per week.
13. Office of the Governor JB Pritzker – Office of Equity Internship
Location: Office of the Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago or Springfield, IL
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 - August 31 | start and end dates are flexible for selected candidates
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students who are Illinois residents, are pursuing a college degree or certification, have academic credit or funding from their institution, and show a commitment to DEIA through community service, advocacy, activism, academics, or extracurricular involvement
The Illinois Office of Equity internship program gives you the chance to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility work within state government. As a part-time intern,you’ll gain hands-on experience by helping plan DEIA initiatives, attending meetings with government leaders and advocates, and conducting policy and legislative research. You’ll work closely with the Office of Equity team, receive mentorship, and develop your own DEIA projects based on your interests. The role is well-suited for students who can manage tasks in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. You’ll also learn how government agencies comply with civil rights laws and executive orders, research legislation, and help draft policy memos. This will help you gain insight into how legal frameworks shape public-sector decisions.
14. State of Illinois Governor’s Office – Michael J. Curry Summer Internship
Location: State agencies across Springfield and Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Interns earn $2,800 per month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Current college juniors, seniors, and graduate students from any discipline who are Illinois residents, authorized to work full-time in the United States without employer sponsorship, and have not previously participated in the Curry Internship Program
The Michael J. Curry Summer Internship gives you a full-time, 10-week opportunity to work in agencies under the Office of the Governor and explore law and public service. You can be placed in departments such as environmental protection, human services, and public health, where you’ll take part in research, policy work, and government operations. The program is open to students from all academic backgrounds, but it is especially valuable if you are interested in law or how legal frameworks operate in state government. You’ll support agency work by preparing reports and official documents, conducting policy analysis, and helping with outreach or public affairs efforts. You’ll build skills in professional writing, teamwork, and research, and understand how laws and policies are developed and applied in the public sector.
15. Chapman and Cutler LLP Finance Law Development Program (FLDP)
Location: Chapman and Cutler LLP headquarters in Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Competitive stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 8-week summer internship followed by a 2-year program
Application Deadline: Applications open on July 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed their junior year can join the 8-week summer internship, and after completing their degree, they can take part in the two-year program
Chapman and Cutler LLP’s Finance Law Development Program (FLDP) in Chicago gives students hands-on experience in finance-focused legal work. You can begin with an 8-week summer internship that includes training through a four-week boot camp on finance and the business of law before collaborating on a research project addressing practice or innovation challenges, which is later presented to firm leadership. You’ll also work with management teams and gain exposure to how a legal firm operates in the finance industry. After this internship, you’ll automatically be considered for an analyst role. The two-year analyst program includes benefits, LSAT or test prep support, and housing assistance during law school. You’ll work on deal teams, draft documents, conduct legal research, assist with transactions, help develop legal technologies, and receive mentorship and career guidance.
Summary
This list covers 15 legal internships in Chicago for undergraduates, spanning private law firms, county and state government, nonprofit legal aid, and public sector agencies, hosted by organizations including Chapman and Cutler LLP, Goldman Sachs, and the Cook County court system. The strongest disclosed compensation comes from the Michael J. Curry Summer Internship ($2,800/month) and Chicago Transit Authority ($17–$22/hour), while several nonprofit and government roles, including Cabrini Green Legal Aid and CAIR-Chicago, are unpaid but can qualify for academic credit or external funding. Most programs require Illinois residency or Chicago-area enrollment, including the Office of Equity Internship and Curry Internship, while Ladder Internships is the only fully remote option with no geographic restriction.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. Several programs here, like Cabrini Green Legal Aid and CAIR-Chicago, are unpaid. Are they still worth pursuing compared to paid options like Goldman Sachs or CTA?
Yes, especially if you want direct exposure to legal casework rather than corporate or administrative legal functions. Cabrini Green Legal Aid places you directly in criminal records relief, family law, and housing law casework, and CAIR-Chicago gives you grassroots civil rights advocacy experience, both of which offer more hands-on legal exposure than a corporate program like Goldman Sachs, where legal-adjacent work is one function among many. If financial support matters, most unpaid nonprofit programs will help you pursue academic credit or outside funding to offset the lack of a stipend.
2. I'm interested in criminal justice and courtroom experience specifically. Which programs are the strongest fit?
Cook County Adult Probation and Cook County Juvenile Probation and Court Services both give you direct courtroom exposure, case management experience, and the chance to shadow probation officers and attend hearings. The EEOC's Student Legal Externship Program is also strong for courtroom exposure, though it's centered on civil employment discrimination cases rather than criminal justice specifically.
3. A few programs, like the Office of Equity Internship and the Michael J. Curry Summer Internship, require Illinois residency. What if I'm not an Illinois resident?
If you don't meet the residency requirement, most of the other programs on this list don't have that restriction. Ladder Internships is open regardless of location, and firm-based and nonprofit programs like Chapman and Cutler's LFAI, Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Children's Legal Center, and CAIR-Chicago are open to any eligible student without an Illinois residency requirement, so those are worth prioritizing if you're applying from out of state.