What is a PILI Summer Internship?

A PILI Summer Internship offers excellent legal training and experience at one of the PILI-affiliated public interest agencies in Chicago for 10 weeks in the summer.  PILI provides a $5,000 grant or stipend to each agency that hosts Interns. PILI sends these stipends directly to the agencies; the agencies put the Interns on their payrolls, deduct taxes, and then pay Interns directly.

Who can apply?

Law students attending an ABA-accredited law school from around the country may apply. NALP guidelines require that first-year law students wait until December 1st to apply, but second-year law students may apply as early as October 15th. While the deadline for applications is March 31st, you should apply as early as possible because many agencies interview and hire before then — particularly over winter break.

Why should I apply for a PILI Internship?

The Internship provides a valuable and unique opportunity to serve the needs of low-income people, work on policy issues, and put your knowledge to work for the benefit of the public interest. A variety of agencies work with PILI to give Interns an excellent educational experience and expand their legal skills on issues ranging from protecting the environment to defending human rights, from immigration law to elder law, from housing issues to family law. PILI also conducts luncheon seminars with guest speakers on a broad range of legal issues. In addition, members of the PILI Board of Directors are paired with individual Interns as advisors, providing excellent networking opportunities and deepening the Internship experience.

What is PILI's history?

PILI was founded in 1977 by representatives of law firms, public interest agencies, foundations, and law schools. Thousands of people have enjoyed the transformative experience that PILI offers. PILI provides law students and new lawyers with experience and training in the legal institutions serving the public interest. PILI works to cultivate a lifelong commitment to public interest law among law students and attorneys.

If PILI has affiliations with 50 agencies, why can't I get an Internship at any one of them?

PILI must raise the funds for the Internships. PILI’s Board of Directors approves the allocation of Internships to certain agencies which assure good supervision and meaningful feedback for the Interns, and which have had experience in working with PILI Interns.  While the majority of PILI-affiliated agencies accept Graduate PILI Fellows, only those agencies specifically designated on our website as Summer Internship Host Agencies will receive PILI funds for Internships. You may, of course, directly apply to other agencies on your own, but PILI funds no internships at the other agencies.

How do I apply?

PILI administers an on-line application system, through which you upload your resume and cover letter(s), along with requested applicant demographic information.  To apply, click here.

How do Interns get hired?

After receiving your application, the individual agencies make their own hiring decisions. Not every PILI-affiliated agency has the resources to follow up on every application received (remember that PILI forwards each agency dozens of applications every week during the application period). Therefore, you may have to directly contact some of the agencies to which you’ve applied to check on the status of your application.

How will I be paid?

PILI will not pay you directly. PILI funds its agencies and the agencies are responsible for paying their interns.  Each year PILI allocates a certain number of internship stipends to each of our Internship-host agencies, and it is up to them to hire their own interns.  If you're hired as a PILI Intern, your agency will simply put you on its regular payroll.

What do agencies consider when hiring Interns?

They consider several key factors such as volunteer experience, community service, school performance, and demonstrated interest in the public good. While agencies may ask for writing samples at an interview, do not send transcripts or writing samples to PILI.

Are there School-Year Internships?

Yes, there are school year internships offered in both the fall and spring terms, for law school students attending one of the Chicago-area law schools. Details are on the website.  The School-Year Internship is part-time, and pays $2,500 for 200 hours of work.