The Office of the State Appellate Defender offers internships in the following district offices: Chicago, Elgin, Springfield, and Mt. Vernon. Internships are also offered at the Juvenile Defender Resource Center (JDRC). Details on each internship are below.

District Office Internships:

The Chicago, Elgin, Springfield, and Mt. Vernon district offices each offer full-time 10-week summer internships. The Chicago Office additionally offers part-time 12-week spring and fall internships. Interns in these positions will work on criminal appeals with experienced attorneys writing opening briefs, reply briefs and petitions for rehearing that will be filed in the Illinois Appellate Court, and petitions for leave to appeal that will be filed in the Illinois Supreme Court. Interns will also likely assist attorneys in preparing for oral arguments and may occasionally be asked to complete legal research assignments. Interns may work in-person, remotely, or on a hybrid schedule based on the district's needs and intern availability. Springfield accepts in-person/hybrid applicants. 

Juvenile Defender Resource Center Internship:

For Summer 2026, OSAD will offer internship opportunities with the Juvenile Defender Resource Center (JDRC) which may be remote, hybrid, or in-person out of the Chicago office. Interns applying for the JDRC will support the work of attorneys statewide who are representing youth in delinquency and criminal court. Interns will be given research and writing opportunities on discrete, time-sensitive matters as well as larger collaborative projects. Interns with the JDRC may have opportunities to work with a broader community of system stakeholders and explore model systems and best practices in youth defense.

Qualifications for All Internships:  

Applicants must be current law students and possess excellent legal research, writing, editing, and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to understand factual and legal issues and present them clearly and concisely. Preference is given to applicants with a demonstrated interest in public service and coursework in legal writing, criminal law, evidence, and appellate advocacy. The internships are unpaid; we can provide school credit if the university permits.

Applications for internship programs described above will be accepted until the following dates or until all positions are filled:

Full-Time Summer Internships (JDRC, Chicago, Elgin, Springfield, and Mt. Vernon): 
          Summer 2026: January 31, 2026 

Part-Time School-Year Internships (Chicago office only):
          Spring 2026: November 30, 2025
          Fall 2026: July 31, 2026

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample in PDF format (preferably as one file, with the file name beginning with your name, e.g., “Jane Doe Application” or “Jane Doe Resume,” “Jane Doe Writing Sample”, etc.”) to:

Chicago: 1stdistrict.internprogram@osad.state.il.us
Elgin: 2ndDistrict@osad.state.il.us
Springfield: 4thDistrict@osad.state.il.us
Mt. Vernon: 5thDistrict@osad.state.il.us 
JDRC: JDRC@osad.state.il.us

The Office of the State Appellate Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion.