The Illinois Prison Project is a nonprofit organization in Chicago that seeks to reduce mass incarceration by providing legal services to individuals incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections. We focus on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction including mass commutation campaigns, sentence restructuring, public education, and advocacy.
IPP is looking for law clerks to focus on client representation. Law clerks will work alongside attorneys with one or more incarcerated clients. Law clerks will communicate with clients and their families, prepare commutation or medical release petitions on behalf of an individual client or clients, and work on release plans for individual clients. Law clerks may gather and analyze court documents and medical records and conduct research to draft memoranda. Whenever possible, law clerks may visit prisons and/or criminal court. Successful applicants will be asked to pursue school funding if available; IPP commits to funding all law clerk positions at a rate comparable to $15.80 per hour and with the expectation of working 36 hours per week during the summer. Summer law clerks should plan to be in-person and can also work remotely on some days. IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required.
Submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample via email to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with “Summer Law Clerk” in the subject line. Rolling applications accepted until January 15, 2025.