Law Clerk, Academic Year 2023-24

The Illinois Prison Project is a nonprofit organization in Chicago that seeks to reduce mass incarceration by providing legal services to individuals incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections. We focus on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction including mass commutation campaigns, sentence restructuring, public education, and advocacy.

IPP is looking for law clerks to focus on client representation. Law clerks will work alongside attorneys with one or more incarcerated clients. Law clerks will communicate with clients and their families, prepare commutation or resentencing petitions on behalf of an individual client or clients, and work on release plans for individual clients. Law clerks may gather and analyze court documents and medical records and conduct research to draft memoranda. Whenever possible, law clerks may visit prisons and/or criminal court. Successful applicants will be asked to pursue school funding if available; IPP commits to funding all law clerk positions at a rate comparable to $14 per hour and with the expectation of working 20 hours per week.  Law clerks have the option of working from our Chicago office or working remotely. This internship will run from September 2023 to May 2024. IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct legal research in the area of criminal law and policy;
  • Assist in representation of currently incarcerated people, including editing and drafting individualized commutation and resentencing petitions;
  • Communicate directly with clients by mail, phone, and in-person visits;
  • Build release plans for currently incarcerated people, including placement, medical benefits, and employment;
  • Provide support for other legal programming

Benefits of Internship

  • Visibility into the operations of an impactful legal aid organization;
  • Mentorship from organization staff;
  • Development of hands-on legal skills;
  • Development of research, writing, and communication skills;
  • Experience in an underdeveloped and underrepresented area of law

Qualifications

  • Current enrollment in an ABA accredited law school;
  • Previous experience conducting research in an academic and/or non-academic environment;
  • Interest in the intersection between social justice and the law;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

How to Apply

Submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample via email to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with "Law Clerk, Academic Year 2023-24” in the subject line.