Law students, law graduates, and lawyers have many opportunities for meaningful involvement in the important work of the Department of Law as legal externs, law clerks, summer program participants, post-graduate fellows, and lawyers.  Participants gain invaluable hands-on legal experience by working on complex and diverse projects with Law Department attorneys.  They participate in negotiations and Client advising meetings, conduct research and analysis to draft dispositive motions on constitutional or procedural issues of law, and - utilizing an Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 license - appear on behalf of the City in Court or before Administrative Tribunals.

All volunteer law clerk programs are designed to provide law students, law graduates, and lawyers with a challenging clerkship that reflects the demands and rewards of public service, as well as a realistic picture of what it is like to practice law for one of the largest law firms in the country.  (*Give yourself plenty of time to apply, as the City requires fingerprinting and background checks of employees and volunteers.)

The City of Chicago Law Department seeks talented, promising individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds.  The Law Department is committed to increasing opportunities for minorities in the legal profession, and it is proud that its staff reflects the racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity of Chicago.  The Law Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

Pre-Law Volunteer Program

• The Department of Law is interested in highly qualified high school or college students or graduates to participate in our Pre-Law Volunteer Program. This program is designed to provide participants with a challenging, un-paid externship that reflects the demands and rewards of public service.
• The Law Department will select well-rounded applicants who have exhibited academic excellence and an interest in public service.

Externship Program

• Law students volunteer in exchange for course credit in accordance with their law school's externship requirements
• Year-round program with positions based on availability

Volunteer Law Clerk Program

• Geared toward law students, law graduates, and lawyers who are not eligible to receive externship credit and/or have not secured fellowship funding
• Year-round program with positions based on availability

Post-Graduate Fellowship Program

• Recent law graduates who have secured fellowship funding through their law school or elsewhere gain public sector experience on a volunteer basis
• Year-round program with positions based on availability

APPLICABLE TO ALL PROGRAMS ABOVE

The above programs are year-round and we are always accepting applications. Please contact dol.application@cityofchicago.org with any questions

1. Submit your application via e-mail: DOL.Application@cityofchicago.org
2. Send all attachments in one pdf document in this order
   • Cover Letter
     • When are you available to volunteer (include months and year)
     • Indicate if you will be eligible for 711 licensing at the time you'll be
       volunteering
     • Rank up to 3 Divisions you'd prefer to be placed in from the list below.
       • Note: You cannot list the same Division more than once.
   • Resume
   • Transcript
     • Unofficial or official copies are acceptable.
   • Writing Sample
     • Do not exceed 5 pages
   • ARDC printout if applicable
3. Please note: Incomplete applications will delay the processing of your submission.

• All volunteer programs are unpaid and 100% on-site
• You choose your work schedule between Monday - Friday 7a-6p CST
• City residency is not required for volunteers. 
• For Division descriptions, and examples of the type of work you'd perform for each Division, see the City of Chicago Department of Law Employer ViewBook, here. (please refer to this webpage for the most accurate information for all paid and volunteer law clerk, externship and fellow programs with the Law Department)

Litigation Practice Areas

Affirmative Litigation
Appeals
Aviation, Environmental, Regulatory & Contracts
Collections, Ownership & Administrative Litigation
Constitutional & Commercial Litigation
Employment Litigation
Federal Civil Rights Litigation
Labor
Legal Information & Prosecutions
Public Safety Reform
Revenue Litigation
Risk Management & Compliance
Torts

Prosecution Practice Areas
Building & License Enforcement
Legal Information & Prosecutions

Transactional Practice Areas
Aviation, Environmental, Regulatory & Contracts
Finance & Economic Development
Real Estate & Land Use

* Some of the Divisions are placed in more than 1 Practice Area. However, the Division can only be listed once when ranking your preferences.

Summer Law Clerk Program

Learn more about the Summer Law Clerk program.