Information for Students

  1. Practical Experience
  2. Externships
  3. Information for Students

Chicago-Kent offers three avenues for students to pursue externship opportunities in the areas of government, public interest, private, and for-profit firms and corporations. Examples of externships include working for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office; public defender offices; the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and numerous major law firms and nonprofits. All externships must be approved. The three types of externships include:

Judicial Externships acquaint you with the day-to-day operation of the courts as you work with trial and appellate court judges and their law clerks to research and write legal memoranda and draft opinions.

Legal Externships allow you to work in civil or criminal practice in a specialized area of your choice with supervising attorneys in federal, state, and local government agencies; private law firms of all sizes; corporate legal departments; or public interest organizations." 

Judicial Externship Program

Judicial Externship Program (JEP) is a four credit hour, pass/low pass/fail program open to students who have completed at least their first full year of law school and want to do legal research and writing for a federal appellate, district or magistrate judge, or designated Illinois appellate or circuit court judges.

JEP enables a student to become involved in particular legal problems through research and writing, and to contribute to the resolution of those problems by participating in drafting memoranda and opinions. 

Depending upon the judge, an extern may also have the opportunity to observe the judge’s day-to-day routine and discuss with him/her the issues and problems that judges confront. Take advantage of this prestigious learning opportunity while enhancing your marketability in the legal world.

Application Process:  We will post opportunities below or you can find one on your own through 12Twenty (see below).   If you do obtain an externship through an outside source, please email Professor Decatorsmith and Michael Oakes as well as fill out this form

Note:  Before you apply, be certain you are able to commit 16 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters, or 32 hours/week in the summer, as well as attend the in person weekly classroom component and other requirements of the course during the semester.  If you have any questions about the program, please contact Professor Jon Decatorsmith (jdecator@illinoistech.edu).

Find your own judicial externship:  Students can find their own externship through posts made by individual chambers on the Career Services Management System 12twenty* or get placed with judges in various divisions via the Cook County application. In the Summer, students can also apply to judges via the Just the Beginning - A Pipeline Organization, and applications typically close by the end of January each year.   We will also post any opportunities for externships below.  

Cover Letter and Resume Guidance  

Below are short guides on to help you prepare your cover letter and resume:

Cover Letter Guide

Writing Sample Guide

Judicial Externship Opportunities

Office of the Chief Judge – The Circuit Court of Cook County, Fall 2025

The judicial extern will work with the judge, judicial law clerk, and other legal and non-legal personnel in the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago in the Chancery Division/ Mortgage Foreclosure Section of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The judicial extern shall conduct legal research, analysis and writing, prepare bench memoranda, edit court opinions, review motions, and other court pleadings. The judicial extern will also assist the judge with the preparation for an array of matters, including, hearings on contested summary judgment motions, motions to quash service of process, motions for appointment of receiver, evidentiary hearings, pre-trial settlement conferences, and trials. The Fall Semester can be done in person or hybrid (in person and remote).  

For more information about this externship and how to apply, please download this document.  

Law Division Judicial Externship, Cook County - Fall 2025

The application process for Fall externships in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County is open.  

Prospective applicants must submit the following documents:

  • Resume
  • Application (attached), and
  • Writing sample.

The application can be downloaded here.  Please fill this out and apply as outlined on Page 6.

Judge Alison Conlon

Judge Alison Conlon is seeking to hire Judicial Externs for Fall 2025. Judge Conlon sits in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County and currently conducts court both in-person and via Zoom.   The Chancery Division handles civil cases involving equitable remedies.  Judge Conlon's court call sees a variety of complex cases, often including TROs, FOIA issues, administrative reviews, and class actions.

For more information about this opportunity as well as how to apply, please download this handout.  
 

If you receive a Judicial Externship, please register your opportunity here so you receive law school credit. 

Access2Practice (A2P) Legal Externship is a 4-credit-hour Pass/Fail class which enables Kent 2Ls and 3Ls to gain supervision and mentoring in a wide variety of legal areas – both civil and criminal.  Externs must work a minimum of 16 hours per week during the Fall/Spring semesters and 32 hours per week in the Summer semester, as well as attend the in person weekly classroom component, among other academic requirements associated with the course. 

The program does not assign students to particular practice placements. Instead a student must first independently obtain an externship placement before applying to participate in and register for an Access2Practice Legal Externship. Each placement is independent and external to the law school and will have its own independent selection and screening process. 

Application Process:  Externships can be found via Chicago-Kent’s extensive legal network.  For information on how to do this, follow our document on How to Apply for a Legal Externship Placement. Students can find their own externships through 12twenty*, the Career Services Management System. Newly posted externships will also be featured below and in The Record.  

Once a student has secured an externship, he or she must apply to the externship program by (1) informing Professor Decatorsmith via email (jdecator@illinoistech.edu) and (2) filling out this Form.  This information allows us to keep track of student placements as well as give us the information needed to reach out to firms and confirm student placement, as well as discuss our expectations with regard to the student's supervision.  

Note:  Before you apply, be certain you are able to commit 16 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters, or 32 hours/week in the summer, as well as attend the in person weekly classroom component and other requirements of the course during the semester.  If you have any questions about the program, please contact Professor Jon Decatorsmith (jdecator@illinoistech.edu). 

LEGAL EXTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Please see below and continue to check back for new Fall opportunities.  

If you receive a Legal Externship, please register your opportunity here so you receive law school credit.  

Law Offices of Elena Duarte
Externship Opportunity – Family Law & Real Estate

Position: Law Student Extern (Academic Credit Eligible)
Location: Chicago, IL
Schedule: Minimum of 16 supervised hours per week during the semester (flexible scheduling within office hours)
Compensation: Unpaid or paid at employer’s discretion (discussed during interview)

About the Firm:
The Law Offices of Elena Duarte is a small, client-focused law firm concentrating primarily on family law matters, with some real estate work connected to client cases. We are committed to providing personalized legal services and a supportive learning environment for law students seeking hands-on experience.

Position Overview:
We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented law student to join our team as an extern for the upcoming semester. This role offers the opportunity to gain practical legal skills while earning academic credit. The extern will work directly with the attorney and staff, engaging in meaningful casework and client matters.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist with drafting and reviewing legal documents, including motions, pleadings, and discovery.

  • Conduct legal research and prepare case summaries.

  • Organize and maintain case files.

  • Participate in trial preparation, including creating exhibits and witness lists.

  • Attend client meetings and court proceedings when appropriate.

  • Support the attorney and paralegals in day-to-day case management.

Qualifications:

  • Current enrollment in an accredited law school, eligible for externship credit.

  • Strong interest in family law; exposure to real estate law is a plus.

  • Excellent legal research and writing skills.

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Additional Requirements:

  • Ability to work at least 16 supervised hours per week (on average) during the semester.

  • Attendance at the law school’s weekly externship seminar and completion of required deliverables.

How to Apply:
Please submit the following via email to Attorney Elena Duarte at duartelawoffices@gmail.com:

  1. Resume

  2. Cover letter expressing interest in the position

  3. Law school transcript (unofficial acceptable)

Application Deadline: Applications should be submitted as soon as possible. The externship registration deadline for the Fall 2025 semester is August 15, 2025.

Legal Externship - Quinn Global Tax Law PC, Fall 2025

Quinn Global Tax Law PC is a boutique international tax law firm specializing in transactional income and estate tax planning for entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals. No prior tax experience is required, though an interest in the tax law field is necessary. The ideal candidate has strong research, writing, and problem-solving skills.  The candidate should be a self-starting individual who adheres to deadlines, is detail-oriented, and can perform the critical thinking necessary to navigate the US national and subnational taxing systems.

Throughout the duration of the externship, the candidate will be expected to: conduct research on tax statutes, regulations, and case law; draft internal memoranda relating to such research; review and organize financial documents, tax returns, and other documentation; support attorneys in preparation for IRS correspondences and related matters; and perform other various legal and administrative tasks as needed to support the firm.

The candidate will be expected to work a minimum of 16 hours, but no more than 18 hours, per week. The position is compensated at $20 an hour, with an opportunity to receive credit for those interested. The candidate will be expected to perform all work in office in Western Springs, IL.

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a resume (required), writing sample (optional), and law school transcript (optional) to Aran Quinn at apq@quinngtl.com and CC both Alexandria Devlin at ard@quinngtl.com and Justin Jourdan at jgj@quinngtl.com.

Legal Externship - BUPD Law

Job Title: Law Clerk (Externship)
Location: 180 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois
Firm: BUPD Law

About BUPD Law:

BUPD Law is a dynamic and growing law firm dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to a diverse range of clients. We focus on corporate law, real estate, commercial litigation and financing transactions, offering innovative and strategic counsel. Our team values excellence, collaboration, and integrity, and we take pride in fostering a collegial and supportive work environment.
Position Summary:

BUPD Law is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented extern to join our team through an externship program in partnership with Chicago-Kent College of Law. This externship is for academic credit and offers an excellent opportunity for students to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in private practice while earning credit hours toward their J.D.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Conduct legal research and draft memoranda on a variety of substantive legal issues
  • Assist in drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, contracts, and client correspondence
  • Support attorneys in document review, discovery, and preparation for hearings, mediations, closings, and trials
  • Summarize depositions, contracts, expert reports, and other key documents
  • Help prepare case files, exhibits, and materials for client meetings and court appearances
  • Monitor court dockets and assist with tracking deadlines
  • Perform other legal and administrative tasks as needed to support the firm’s matters 

Qualifications:

  • Current J.D. student at Chicago-Kent College of Law (2L or 3L preferred)
  • Strong academic record and demonstrated interest in transactional or litigation legal work
  • Excellent legal research, analytical, and writing skills
  • High level of organization, attention to detail, and time management abilities
  • Professionalism, reliability, and a collaborative attitude
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office and legal research database - LexisNexis

Externship Details:

  • This is an unpaid externship position for academic credit through Chicago-Kent College of Law.
  • Students must coordinate with the law school to meet externship requirements and obtain credit hours.
  • Weekly time commitment and duration of placement will be determined in accordance with Chicago-Kent’s externship guidelines.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript, and a brief writing sample to Mirna Basic at mbasic@bupdlaw.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please indicate your availability and confirm your eligibility for externship credit through Chicago-Kent in your cover letter.
 

HSG Tech

HSG Tech, Inc. is a thriving Laser Cutting Machine Manufacturer in Addison, IL. HSG Tech is the United States Subsidiary for HSG Laser. With over 2,000 employees around the world, HSG is one of the fastest growing machinery companies in the USA and around world. Program Duration: Mid-August through Early December (dates may be flexible, depending on school requirements with possible extension for Spring 2026 semester).

Legal externs are given substantive opportunities to gain experience and learn as members of the Legal Department. The Legal Department is responsible for providing high-quality, cost-efficient, legal and related services to our staff, officers and executive staff. The Legal Department offers challenging and diverse work assignments for legal externs, including contract review and drafting, research and training, HR oversight, companywide policy development, government relations and other projects reflective of the role of HSG’s General Counsel.

For more information on the position and how to apply, please download this document.