2026 Winter Spring Law Student Intern
internship•Chicago
About this 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 Winter/Spring 2026, the Legal Intern will participate in what is expected to be a primarily hybrid
internship opportunity, which will include
remote work and in-person work. CDEL will provide training and supervision for the student. Applicants
should be a
second or third year law student. On occasion, we do consider outstanding first year law students. Opportunities to participate
may include
participation in CDEL community clinics, workshops and help desks.
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. CDEL will work with students and their advisors in setting up the internship.
Interns will be responsible for managing expansive cases and a client
case
load under supervision.
One of the strengths of the program is the amount and degree of candidate and client interaction and interns who are particularly interested in this aspect are encouraged to apply. Interns participate in all aspects of client files, including screening, intake, document review and full direct representation. The student will gain experience in the following practice areas and develop the stated skills:
Practice Areas
Skills
Estate planning
Adult Guardianship
Housing
Consumer Debt / Collections
Family Law
Interviewing candidates for service
Document review
Drafting documents including court documents and other legal documents
Direct legal assistance (under supervision)
Litigation (under supervision)
Students interested in Elder Law, Disability Law, Estate Planning, Housing Law and Public Interest are especially encouraged to apply. As many CDEL clients have intersecting identities and some have limited English proficiency, interns who are bi-lingual or multi-lingual are also strongly 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 encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized and underrepresented communities to apply for this position.
Applications are considered as they are received.
What you'll do
- Interns will manage expansive cases and a client case load under supervision, participating in all aspects of client files including screening, intake, and document review. They will gain experience in various practice areas and develop essential legal skills.
About Center for Disability & Elder Law
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 2026 Winter Spring Law Student Intern do at Center for Disability & Elder Law?
As a 2026 Winter Spring Law Student Intern at Center for Disability & Elder Law, you will: interns will manage expansive cases and a client case load under supervision, participating in all aspects of client files including screening, intake, and document review. They will gain experience in various practice areas and develop essential legal skills..
Is the 2026 Winter Spring Law Student Intern position at Center for Disability & Elder Law remote?
The 2026 Winter Spring Law Student Intern position at Center for Disability & Elder Law is based in Chicago, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the 2026 Winter Spring Law Student Intern position at Center for Disability & Elder Law?
You can apply for the 2026 Winter Spring Law Student Intern position at Center for Disability & Elder Lawdirectly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process.