Public Interest and Service

Being in Chicago offers a big advantage to those who are passionate about public interest law. Chicago-Kent’s Public Interest Center partners with numerous agencies and nonprofits operating on the front lines, where those exploring the field can be plugged into various internship, externship, and fellowship opportunities. Faculty and staff help students identify an area of public interest that they are passionate about and support them along the way. We also offer a series of public interest events and practicums that allow students to network with those in the field and stay apprised of current legal issues.

Building on that tradition, Chicago-Kent offers the Certificate in Public Interest Law. The certificate allows students to earn a credential that further illustrates their dedication to public interest law, while also providing students with a personalized curriculum to satisfy their individual career goals.

Other opportunities, many of them administered by the Public Interest Center, include:

Pro Bono Work: The PIC’s Pro Bono and Community Service Initiative offers students volunteer opportunities for a range of nonprofits, government agencies, and internal organizations located within Chicago-Kent.

The Self-Help Resource Center: The center, located at the Circuit Court of Cook County in downtown Chicago’s Richard J. Daley Center, allows students to assist low-income litigants who are unfamiliar with the court system.

Externship Opportunities: Through Chicago-Kent’s Access2Practice Program and Judicial Externship Program, students can gain practical experience at a wide range of legal aid, judicial, and government agencies for credit.

The Justice and Technology Practicum: Explore how technology and new innovations can make legal services more accessible to those with limited resources.

Work Opportunities: We offer guidance to help you find paid experience through a wide range of fellowships, internships, and the community-based federal work-study program. 

Our Loan Repayment Assistance Program: Solely for students who will focus on public interest law, the program helps graduates repay their student loan debt when starting their careers.