Law Student Internship Program

Each summer, PILI funds dozens of 400-hour internships for first and second-year law students from across the country to work at public interest law agencies in the Chicago area. PILI also offers a limited number of 200-hour school year internships for Chicago area law students.

Graduate Fellowship Program

PILI offers new law school graduates the opportunity to work 300 hours during the summer after their graduation at one of more than 50 public interest law agencies.  Nearly two dozen Chicago law firms sponsor PILI Fellows, paying the salaries of their new associates to work at public interest law agencies.

PILI Alumni Program

Today, over 3,000 law students and graduates have participated in PILI’s Internship and Fellowship Programs. The Alumni Program maintains the connection between these public interest lawyers, PILI and the public interest law community.

Pro Bono Initiative Program

PILI is a resource for Illinois law firms and corporations developing or enhancing pro bono programs. This pro bono consulting program fosters business cultures and legal careers that feature a commitment to public interest law and pro bono work.

Law Firm Extended Placement Programs

PILI encourages law firms to provide the opportunity for firm attorneys — whether new associates or seasoned attorneys — to be placed at a public interest law organization for an extended period of time in a rotation or fellowship program. PILI provides assistance to firms in developing such programs and in identifying public interest law organizations to host their attorneys.