INTERNSHIP DETAILS

2027 Summer Law Student Intern

CompanyCenter for Disability & Elder Law
LocationChicago
Work ModeOn Site
PostedSeptember 5, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
Interns will manage a client case load under supervision, participating in all aspects of client files including screening, intake, and document review. They will also provide direct legal assistance and support in various practice areas such as estate planning, guardianship, and housing law.
Internship Type
intern
Company Size
41
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

Center for Disability & Elder Law  

Hybrid Legal Intern 

 

 

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) hosts Legal Interns each academic year and during summer months.  For Summer 2027, the Legal Intern will participate in a hybrid, full-time internship opportunity, and CDEL will provide training and supervision for the student.  Applicants should be a rising second or rising third year law student.   

 

For Summer 2027, we currently anticipate that interns will work both in-office and remotely.  Opportunities to participate in CDEL community clinics, workshops, the guardianship help desk and the recorder’s division help desk may be available. Internship activities will be available depending on health and safety recommendations.  

 

The Legal Internship is unpaid.  However, in addition to working with law schools offering externship credit, there may be funding options available for CDEL Legal Interns through law schools or outside agencies.   

 

Interns will be responsible for managing cases and a client case load under supervision. Interns participate in all aspects of client files, including screening, intake, document review and full representation. The student will gain experience in the following practice areas and develop the stated skills: 

 

Practice Areas 

Skills 

Estate planning 

Guardianship 

Housing 

Collections 

Financial Abuse  

Family Law 

Interviewing candidates for service 

Document review 

Direct legal assistance (under supervision) 

Litigation (under supervision) 

 

 

 

Students interested in Elder Law, Disability Law, Public Interest and Housing Law are especially encouraged to apply.   

 

CDEL is an equal opportunity employer and a welcoming community that engages, encourages and empowers those who are members of underrepresented communities. CDEL
is 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. 

 

Applications are reviewed as they are received. 

Key Skills
Estate planningGuardianshipHousing lawCollectionsFinancial abuseFamily lawInterviewingDocument reviewLegal assistanceLitigationCase managementClient intakeLegal screening
Categories
LegalSocial ServicesEducation
Benefits
TrainingSupervisionExternship credit