INTERNSHIP DETAILS

2026 Winter Spring Paralegal Intern

CompanyCenter for Disability & Elder Law
LocationChicago
Work ModeOn Site
PostedJanuary 24, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
Interns will participate in various aspects of client files, including screening, intake, and document review. They may also assist with CDEL’s community clinics, workshops, and help desks.
Internship Type
intern
Company Size
44
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) was founded to provide legal services to low income residents of Cook County, Illinois who are either elderly or who have permanent disabilities. Studies report that more than eighty percent (80%) of all low income individuals are unable to obtain legal representation, and that all of those who live in poverty will experience at least one legal problem each year. The need for legal assistance and services on the part of these clients has increased dramatically over the past ten years and continues to grow. The number of persons in the United States over 65 is expected to double by 2030. Ten years ago almost fifty million Americans were affected daily by a disability - one out of every five. This number is also expected to increase significantly. These national trends are evident in Illinois and in Cook County as well. Dedicated volunteer attorneys from some of the largest law firms in Chicago and from firms and corporations located throughout Cook County, as well as paralegals, provide over ninety percent (90%) of the all of the legal services CDEL delivers, pro bono, to our clients. Because CDEL staff screens and creates client files, coordinates the Initiatives, and provides training and support to our volunteers, they are able to focus their valuable time on direct provision of legal services. CDEL strongly encourages the involvement of newly-licensed attorneys, as well as paralegals, law students and interns, to engage their interest and foster their commitment to pro bono public interest law early in their careers.
About the Role

Paralegal Hybrid Intern 

 

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) hosts Paralegal Interns each academic year.  For Winter Spring 2025, the Paralegal Intern will participate in a hybrid internship, which will include remote work and in-person work.  CDEL will provide complete training and supervision of the student.  Opportunities to participate may include participation in CDEL community clinics, workshops and help desks. 

 

The internship is unpaid.  CDEL works with schools offering externship credit and there may be funding options available for interns.  CDEL will work with students and their advisors in setting up the internship. 

 

Interns participate in various aspects of client files, including screening, intake and document review. In addition, assistance with CDEL’s community clinics, workshops and help desks may be components of the internship.  The student will gain experience in the following practice areas and develop the stated skills: 

 

Practice Areas 

Skills 

Estate planning 

Guardianship 

Housing 

Collections 

Family Law 

Interviewing candidates for service 

Document drafting 

Document review 

Administrative matters 

 

 

 

Students interested in Elder Law, Disability Law, Estate Planning, Public Interest and Housing law are specifically encouraged to apply.   

 

CDEL is an equal opportunity employer.  We are a welcoming community that engages, encourages and empowers those who are members of underrepresented communities.  We are a dedicated advocate for our clients who hold many diverse identities and experiences, across race, color, sex, age, religion, class, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge, source of income, housing status and gender identity. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized and underrepresented communities to apply for this position.  We also encourage you to read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement available on our website. 

 

Applications are considered as they are received. 

Key Skills
Estate PlanningGuardianshipHousingCollectionsFamily LawInterviewing CandidatesDocument DraftingDocument ReviewAdministrative Matters
Categories
LegalSocial Services