2026 Winter Spring Paralegal Intern
internship•Chicago
About this 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.
What you'll do
- 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.
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 Paralegal Intern do at Center for Disability & Elder Law?
As a 2026 Winter Spring Paralegal Intern at Center for Disability & Elder Law, you will: 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..
Is the 2026 Winter Spring Paralegal Intern position at Center for Disability & Elder Law remote?
The 2026 Winter Spring Paralegal 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 Paralegal Intern position at Center for Disability & Elder Law?
You can apply for the 2026 Winter Spring Paralegal 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.