Law Student Clerk Program
Introduction
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office invites and encourages law students to apply to serve as paid or volunteer law clerks in the office. OAG clerkships provide excellent opportunities for law students to improve their skills and knowledge in a wide range of subject areas, including consumer protection, government representation, civil rights, environmental enforcement, antitrust, complex civil litigation, civil and criminal appeals, and criminal law enforcement.
Law student clerks work closely with attorneys in the Chicago, Springfield, or Regional Offices to investigate facts, review documents, research legal issues, and draft legal memoranda, correspondence, and pleadings. Students also have an opportunity to attend professional development programs, career panels, and networking events during their clerkship.
Advanced students are encouraged to apply for an Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 license so that they can appear in court under the supervision of an Assistant Attorney General.
Questions about the law student clerk program can be sent to Hannah Jurowicz (Senior Assistant Attorney General/Law Clerk Program Manager) at attorneyhiring@ilag.gov.
Application
Law student clerks can work in part-time paid or full-time volunteer positions during the spring, summer, or fall term. Below are the application terms and deadlines:
To apply, please submit the following via our online portal:
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Online application
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Cover letter
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Resume
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Writing sample (litigation style preferred over journal article)
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Law School transcript
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Signed backgrounf check authorization form
FAQs: Law Student Clerk Program
- Spring Term: November 15
- Summer Term: January 15
- Fall Term: June 15
Clerkships are a minimum of 10 weeks. While exact dates vary based on student and office schedules, the general clerkship seasons are:
- Spring Term: January – April/May
- Summer Term: May/June – August/September
- Fall Term: September – November/December
- Duration: Minimum of 10 weeks
- Hours: Minimum of 12 hours/week
Part-time clerks typically work between 12-15 hours per week during the school year and 20 hours/week during the summer. Full-time clerks work 40 hours/week.
In-Person Component: 60% of hours each week must be in-person
Conflicts Check: Due to the broad nature of matters that the OAG handles, clerks are generally not allowed to work on concurrent legal matters (paid or unpaid legal position, law school clinic, etc.).
If your law school allows you to work full-time for course credit, a full-time position may be possible. Please indicate this interest in your cover letter and application. Full-time clerks are required to work at least 3 days/week in the office.
The OAG can pay part-time clerks (min. 12 hours/week) $17/hour for up to 20 hours/week. Part-time clerks are not allowed to work more than 20 hours/week.
Full-time clerkships are volunteer positions and cannot be paid by the OAG. Students are encouraged to seek external funding or school credit.
Due to the broad nature of matters that the OAG handles, clerks are generally not allowed to work on any concurrent legal matters (paid jobs, volunteer work, law school clinic, etc.). Non-legal industry positions may be allowed subject to a conflicts check.
Yes. It is the clerks’ responsibility to coordinate with their schools to receive school credit. The OAG can pay part-time clerks $17/hour, regardless of whether the clerk receives school credit.
The available positions each semester depend on current staffing needs. However, our clerkships application lists the bureaus that may be hiring and allows you to rank your preferences. Descriptions of each bureau and division can be on the all divisions section of our website. The clerkship application also provides an opportunity to describe the particular experiences or skills that you seek to develop (for example, trial experience, investigations, appellate work, community interactions, brief writing, etc.).
