Organization: Office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD)
Job Title: Spring Intern
Experience: Law student
Salary: Unpaid, school credit available
Location: Chicago, Elgin, Ottawa, Springfield, and Mt. Vernon, Illinois
OSAD offers full-time, 10-week summer internships and part-time, 12-week spring and fall internships to current law students. The internships can be completed in-person, remotely, or on a hybrid schedule, depending on the district's needs and the intern's availability. In-person or hybrid applicants are accepted for the Springfield and Ottawa offices.
Interns will have the opportunity to work on criminal appeals with experienced attorneys, including writing opening briefs, reply briefs, and petitions for rehearing to be filed in the Illinois Appellate Court, as well as petitions for leave to appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. They may also assist attorneys in preparing for oral arguments and completing legal research assignments.
Requirements for applicants include excellent legal research, writing, editing, and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to understand and present factual and legal issues clearly and concisely. Preference is given to those with a demonstrated interest in public service and coursework in legal writing, criminal law, evidence, and appellate advocacy.
To apply, interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample in PDF format to the designated email address for their desired location. The application deadlines are as follows:
Summer: January 31, 2025
Fall: July 31, 2025 (Chicago, Elgin, Ottawa, and Mt. Vernon offices only)
Spring: November 30, 2025 (Chicago, Elgin, Ottawa, and Mt. Vernon offices only)
The Office of the State Appellate Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and inclusion in its workplace culture.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work on criminal appeals with experienced attorneys
- Write opening briefs, reply briefs, and petitions for rehearing
- Prepare petitions for leave to appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court
- Assist attorneys in preparing for oral arguments
- Complete legal research assignments
Requirements:
- Current law student
- Excellent legal research, writing, editing, and oral communication skills
- Ability to understand and present factual and legal issues clearly and concisely
- Demonstrated interest in public service
- Coursework in legal writing, criminal law, evidence, and appellate advocacy
Application Process:
- Submit cover letter, resume, and writing sample in PDF format
- Use designated email address for desired location
- Application deadlines:
- Summer: January 31, 2025
- Fall: July 31, 2025 (Chicago, Elgin, Ottawa, and Mt. Vernon offices only)
- Spring: November 30, 2025 (Chicago, Elgin, Ottawa, and Mt. Vernon offices only)
