Information for Students

Chicago-Kent School of Law 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 as well as fill out the form the proper semester:   

Fall Semester

Spring and summer posted later

Note: Before you apply, be certain you are able to commit 16 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters, or 30 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

Once you secure the position or are in the interview process, you must inform Prof Decatorsmith (jdecator@illinoistech.edu) and Tracy Kish (tkish@illinoistech.edu)  of your opportunity before you will be granted permission to register.

Judge Alison Conlon - Spring 2027

Judge Alison Conlon is seeking to hire Judicial Externs for the Spring 2027 semester. To ensure that the administration of justice can continue during this time, Judge Conlon is conducting court both in-person and via Zoom.

About Judge Conlon and her Court:

Judge Conlon sits in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. 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. In addition, Judge Conlon often hears compelling “business divorces,” such as LLC break ups, and other elaborate business disputes, making the position a particularly good fit for those interested in business cases. There are also many emergency motions filed in front of Judge Conlon, such as TROs, which are exciting and provide extra opportunity for externs to observe.

Students with a passion for public interest or private practice are encouraged to apply, as the Court sees attorneys from a range of public interest organizations and law firms. Judge Conlon is also very active in the pro bono community in Chicago (for example, she sits on the boards of the Public Interest Law Initiative and the Chicago Bar Foundation and is co-chair of the Pro Se Advisory Committee) and she is happy to be a connector between students and organizations.

About the Position:

Judicial Externs are required to observe Court at least two mornings (status call from 9:30 am to 10am and motion call from 10:00am to 10:30am). They will be tasked with a variety of substantive assignments relating to the over 300 complex cases on Judge Conlon’s docket. Examples of such assignments include conducting research and writing memoranda on contested motions (of which there are plenty!), drafting opinions, and creating outlines for oral rulings. Externs receive ample feedback from both Judge Conlon and her law clerks. In addition, Externs are encouraged to observe trials and hearings in front of Judge Conlon or other Chancery judges.

There is daily interaction with the Judge, the law clerks, and the other externs.

Other Requirements

• 2L's Preferred but 3L's and evening students can apply if they can meet the in-person attendance requirements. 
• Materials required: cover letter, resume, transcript, writing sample (10 page max.)
• Hours required: flexible between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. central time with at least two mornings (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) per week required
• New hires must successfully pass a drug test (including marijuana)
• Cook County employees, including Judicial Externs, may only hold a position with another employer while working or externing for the county if specifically allowed by Human Resources

Email materials to Hon. Alison Conlon’s judicial law clerks: Alondra Silva at Alondra.Silva@cookcountyil.gov and Julia Blum at Julia.Blum@cookcountyil.gov.  Applications due on December 11, 2026 at 5:00, but the position may be closed sooner.    

Legal Externship Programs

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 30 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 directly obtain an externship placement before applying to participate in and register for an Access2Practice Legal Externship. Each placement is separate 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.  

If you do obtain an externship through an outside source, please email Professor Decatorsmith as well as fill out the form the for the fall semester:   Fall Semester

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.  

Permission to enroll in Legal Externship classes is solely within the discretion of the Clinical Education Department, and is subject to pre-review and approval by the Department to ensure the pedagogical objectives of the course are satisfied.  Externships are designed and allocated primarily for new placement opportunities and, accordingly, permission is not generally granted to students for continuing their employment at private law firms or in-house counsel jobs, nor is a second externship (Legal Externship 2) generally allowed for a student continuing their same Legal Externship 1 placement.  Registration in specialized externships (Criminal Litigation Externship, Intellectual Property Externship, Environmental Law Externship), is limited to students enrolled in the associated certificate programs. 

Note:  Before you apply, be certain you are able to commit 16 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters, or 30 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 opportunities.  

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

Spring 2027 Opportunities

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Health Law Externship - Spring 2027

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (“SRAlab”), formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, a not-for-profit hospital, located in Chicago, Illinois, is the first-ever “translational” research hospital applying research to physical medicine and rehabilitation. SRAlab has been ranked as the top physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital in the United States for decades, providing rehabilitation to patients around the world with stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cancer, and other conditions. SRAlab’s research enterprise is the largest of its kind and renowned for breakthroughs in biomedical, neural, mechanical and electrical engineering; molecular/cellular biology; robotics and pharmacotherapeutics.

Requirements: SRAlab is seeking motivated, bright, and interested candidates who want experience in a busy and dynamic legal and regulatory environment in the Office of General Counsel and the Office of Corporate Compliance. Students who have completed their 1L year and have an interest in health law and compliance are encouraged to apply. Please note this is an unpaid position.

Office of General Counsel: Assignments related to health law may include mental health, consents, advance directives, guardianships, legal aspects of patient care, not-for-profit issues, Medicare and Medicaid, fraud and abuse, Stark, joint ventures and affiliations, bylaws, policy and procedures, and medical staff issues. Other assignments may relate to patent law (conducting prior art searches and evaluating search results, considering Office Actions from the US Patent Office and preparing responses thereto), corporate law (contract review, drafting and negotiation, conducting research on state specific issues), employment and labor law, trademark law (conducting clearance searches and identifying proper trademark use), risk management and professional liability, real estate and gifts, and various aspects of litigation, which may include researching and drafting legal memoranda, attending depositions and interacting with staff and outside counsel.

Office of Corporate Compliance: Assignments may relate to health care regulatory issues, compliance with federal and state mandates such as Medicare/Medicaid programs, HIPAA, and IRB requirements. Assignments may include researching and drafting regulatory memoranda, reviewing and revising hospital policies and procedures, conducting audits to determine operational compliance with various laws, creating educational programs for staff regarding regulatory requirements, and identifying opportunities to mitigate risks.

Remote and Hybrid Work: Selected externs may take advantage of the externship program via remote means. Additionally, there may also be hybrid work opportunities for interested students who have also met all necessary current health and infection control requirements in place for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Time Commitment: Two or more days per week (with minimum of four hours per day) preferred; actual number of hours worked is based upon the law school’s requirement for credits earned. Selected externs must commit to an agreed-upon schedule; however, the weekly schedule can be adjusted on an as-needed basis. Selected externs must also complete all new hire orientation requirements.
Application Process: Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and law school transcript to Cristina Catezone at ccatezone@sralab.org. There are no length requirements or limitations on the writing sample. Please submit all required documents in PDF format.

Deadline to Apply: November 13, 2026
Interviews: Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted on a rolling basis as applications are received.

Animal Legal Defense Fund, National Headquarters (Remote) - Spring 2027

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, gathering data about and advocating for effective regulation of animal exploitative industries and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund offers externships and student volunteer positions for spring semester 2027. Externships are experiential learning opportunities for which students receive academic credit from their law schools. Externship requirements may vary based on specific law school requirements.

Student volunteer positions are experiential learning opportunities for which students can receive pro bono credits or a public interest stipend from their schools.

Position Term: Approximately mid-January to mid-April or the beginning of May for spring 2027. Most externs work part-time (5-15 hours/week). Exact dates and time commitments will be determined by law school externship/volunteer requirements.  The Chicago-Kent Externship program requires a minimum of 16 hours per week.  

Reports to: Managing Attorney

Role Description: The Animal Legal Defense Fund Externship and Volunteer Program gives law students who demonstrate an interest in animal law the opportunity to work with and be trained by top experts in the field. Externs and volunteers are integral members of a program team and work on projects that further the current work of the program and advance the mission and goals of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Externs and volunteers also participate in activities that will allow them to network across the organization with Animal Legal Defense Fund staff and other externs and volunteers and engage them in the mission and goals of the organization.

For more detailed information and the link to apply, please visit their website.  

Illinois Department of Public Health, Administrative Law Research and Special Projects - RISE
University of Illinois Systems - Spring 2027

About the Internship

This internship provides hands-on experience in administrative law research and special projects. Interns will work closely with the Chief Administrative Law Judge (CALJ) and Administrative Review (ALJs), gaining exposure to legal processes, research, and hearings. 

Responsibilities:

Research Assistance: Collaborate with the Chief Administrative Law Judge and other Administrative Review ALJs to conduct research on various legal issues related to administrative law. Assist in analyzing statutes, regulations, and case law to provide comprehensive legal guidance.

Special Projects: Work closely with the Chief Administrative Law Judge on special projects aimed at enhancing administrative processes, improving efficiency, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Take an active role in project planning, execution, and evaluation.

Hearing Observation: Gain firsthand experience by attending administrative hearings as an observer. Witness proceedings, observe legal arguments, and gain insights into the adjudicative process under the guidance of experienced ALJs.

Documentation and Reporting: Assist in documenting research findings, preparing legal memoranda, and drafting reports as needed. Maintain accurate records of research activities and project milestones.

Other duties as assigned in support of the project and bureau operations.

Requirements:

Applicants MUST be currently enrolled in an accredited Illinois Law School (JD program - 2nd or 3rd year law students only) and in good academic standing.

Must have completed at least one semester/term of legal research. 

Demonstrated legal research experience. 

Secure home internet access, a hotspot, or VPN. 

Ability to work remotely and communicate with supervising team regularly during working hours (8:30 am – 5 pm) – flexible based on your academic schedule. 

Preferred:

Law Review preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

Strong legal research skills with the ability to analyze legal issues and synthesize complex information.

Familiarity with administrative law concepts and procedures.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.

Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Professional demeanor and the ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.

Internship Details

Location: Remote

Schedule: Flexible, part-time during Spring 2027

Compensation: Unpaid; academic credit may be available based on institution guidelines

Apply Here

Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service
General Legal Services Division (GLS) - Spring 2027

Students who are interested in Federal sector labor and employment law are invited to participate in an unpaid externship program with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, General Legal Services Division, Area Counsel Office in Chicago. During the academic year, our Chicago Chief Counsel office offers volunteer positions for a limited number of highly qualified law students from law schools accredited by the American Bar Association. Our program allows law students and LL.M. candidates to volunteer on either a part-time or full-time basis, subject to the approval of their law schools during the fall and spring semesters. Students may have the opportunity to receive course credit for this experience. Students will work at the office and will not telework.

Our externship program provides an opportunity for law students to obtain legal work experience while gaining a familiarity with the Chief Counsel organization and its work. The program helps students improve their ability to identify, understand, and analyze Federal sector labor and employment law issues as well as enhance their legal research and writing.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applicants are required to submit Optional Form (OF) 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, which can be found at Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form 306 (opm.gov). To be considered for the position, the following documents are also required:

1. Law School Transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
2. Resume/Cover Letter (please include GPA and class rank if available)
3. Writing Sample

Note: Letters of recommendation are optional. However, a letter of recommendation is helpful in illustrating both skills and accountability.

Applications for the Spring 2027 semester are due on September 9, 2026.  

Preference for an externship is given to students with a demonstrated interest in Federal sector labor and employment law. Additionally, the Office of Chief Counsel will give preference to candidates with 3rd/4th year status (at least 54 credit hours). However, candidates who apply without 3rd/4th year status will also be considered.

Applicants should apply by emailing their initial application documents to ChicagoLSV@irscounsel.treas.gov.

For more information on this opportunity, please download this document.    

Office of Chief Counsel,  Internal Revenue Service - Spring 2027

Students who are interested in tax law are invited to participate in an unpaid externship program with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel in Chicago. During the academic year, our Chicago Chief Counsel office offers volunteer positions for a limited number of highly qualified law students from law schools accredited by the American Bar Association. Our program allows law students and LL.M. candidates to volunteer on either a part-time or full-time basis, subject to the approval of their law schools during the fall and spring semesters. Students may have the opportunity to receive course credit for this experience.

Our externship program provides an opportunity for law students to obtain legal work experience while gaining a familiarity with the Chief Counsel organization and its work. The program helps students improve their ability to identify, understand, and analyze federal tax issues as well as enhance their legal research and writing.

Generally, law students are assigned to one of Chief Counsel’s main tax law divisions: Litigation & Advisory and Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division Counsel.  Each division handles different issues related to tax matters. Below is a brief description of these two divisions:

Litigation & Advisory (L&A) provides legal representation and advice on federal tax controversies involving taxpayers of all sizes. L&A attorneys advise IRS compliance and collection personnel on complex tax and procedural issues, represent the IRS in the U.S. Tax Court, and assist the Department of Justice in refund litigation in the U.S. District Courts. Through both its advisory and litigation functions, the Division helps ensure the fair and effective administration of the nation's tax laws in matters ranging from individual and small business cases to the most complex corporate, partnership, and international tax issues.

Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division Counsel (TEGEDC) provides a full range of legal services from guidance through litigation in the areas of qualified plans, health, welfare, and other employee benefits, executive compensation and fringe benefits, exempt organizations, and employment taxes. In addition, TEGEDC attorneys handle litigation in the tax-exempt bond area and provide significant legal support for issues involving governmental agencies and Indian Tribal Governments.  TEGEDC attorneys provide a full range of legal advice and represent the IRS in litigation in the U.S. Tax Court.

Externs work alongside Chief Counsel attorneys on a variety of tax-related work assignments and provide legal assistance to them. Students may assist in assignments involving fact gathering and reviewing, legal research, drafting opinions and memoranda, pre- and post-trial preparation, and providing trial team assistance in Tax Court. Our attorneys have responsibility for formulating work assignments and monitoring work on such assignments. A final performance evaluation is prepared for each student after the completion of the externship.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applicants are required to submit Optional Form (OF) 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, which can be found at Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form 306 (opm.gov). To be considered for the position, the following documents are also required:

1. Law School Transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
2. Resume/Cover Letter (please include GPA and class rank if available)
3. Writing Sample

Note: Letters of recommendation are optional. However, a letter of recommendation is helpful in illustrating both skills and accountability.

Applications for the Spring 2027 semester are due on September 9, 2026.  

Preference for an externship is given to students with a demonstrated interest in federal tax law. Additionally, the Office of Chief Counsel will give preference to candidates with 3rd/4th year status (at least 54 credit hours). However, candidates who apply without 3rd/4th year status will also be considered.

Applicants should apply by emailing their initial application documents to ChicagoLSV@irscounsel.treas.gov.
For more information on this opportunity, please download this document.  

SEC Scholars Legal Program, US Securities and Exchange Commission SEC (Chicago, IL) - Spring 2027

Law students will be assigned to work with SEC staff members on projects and assignments that cover a broad range of the Commission's work. Intern assignments range from supporting litigation to assisting with drafting new regulations to helping with reviews, exams or public outreach. For information about the opportunities and the work that interns do in specific division/offices within headquarters, please read the SEC's website.

Also see the 12Twenty post for more information and how to apply.