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Legal Aid Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cabrini Green Legal Aid

Communications Intern

Chicago, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $20.50/hr

About Cabrini Green Legal Aid Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) was established in 1973 to serve the ... The intern will work closely with the Communications Manager to support day-to-day communications ...

City of New York

Legal Intern

Queens, NY · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

The DOC Legal Division is currently seeking an intern to join the Office of the General Counsel ... aid / demonstrated deliberate indifference?" -Gain first-hand experience in employment ...

City of New York

Legal Intern

Queens, NY · On-site

The DOC Legal Division is currently seeking an intern to join the Office of the General Counsel ... aid / demonstrated deliberate indifference?" - Gain first-hand experience in employment ...

City of New York

Legal Intern

Queens, NY

The DOC Legal Division is currently seeking an intern to join the Office of the General Counsel ... aid / demonstrated deliberate indifference?" - Gain first-hand experience in employment ...

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How much do legal aid intern jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal aid intern in the United States is $19.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Legal Aid Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Legal Aid Intern, you need a solid understanding of legal principles, research skills, and ideally be pursuing or have completed a law degree. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency in Microsoft Office are commonly required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work empathetically with diverse clients set outstanding interns apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering effective support to legal teams and underserved clients in a fast-paced legal environment.

What are some common challenges Legal Aid Interns face when supporting clients, and how can they effectively navigate these situations?

Legal Aid Interns often work with clients who are experiencing significant stress or hardship, which can make communication and case management challenging. Interns may also encounter tight deadlines and a high volume of cases, requiring strong organizational skills and adaptability. To navigate these situations effectively, interns should maintain clear, empathetic communication, seek guidance from supervising attorneys, and stay organized with thorough documentation. Building resilience and being proactive in asking questions can also help interns thrive in this dynamic environment.

What are Legal Aid Interns?

Legal Aid Interns are students or recent graduates who assist attorneys and staff at legal aid organizations in providing legal services to low-income or underserved communities. Their responsibilities often include conducting legal research, drafting documents, interviewing clients, and supporting attorneys in case preparation. This internship offers valuable hands-on experience in public interest law and insight into the legal challenges faced by marginalized populations. Legal Aid Interns typically work under the supervision of licensed attorneys and may focus on areas such as housing, family law, immigration, or consumer rights.

What is the difference between Legal Aid Intern vs Legal Assistant?

AspectLegal Aid InternLegal Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in law school or recent graduateHigh school diploma or associate degree, some legal training
Work EnvironmentNon-profit legal clinics, law firms, government agenciesLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government offices
Employer & Industry UsageLegal aid organizations, public interest lawLegal firms, corporate legal teams, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonLegal Aid Intern vs Legal Assistant

Legal Aid Interns are usually law students or recent graduates gaining experience in public interest law, often unpaid or for academic credit. Legal Assistants are more experienced support staff with formal training, working in various legal settings. While both roles support legal work, Interns focus on learning and assisting under supervision, whereas Legal Assistants handle more routine tasks independently.

What cities are hiring for Legal Aid Intern jobs? Cities with the most Legal Aid Intern job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Legal Aid jobs? The most popular types of Legal Aid jobs are:
What states have the most Legal Aid Intern jobs? States with the most job openings for Legal Aid Intern jobs include:
Legal Aid Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Aid Intern job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 1% As Needed, 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 67% Physical, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,159 per year, or $19.8 per hour.
Intern Legal Aid Society

Intern Legal Aid Society

Metropolitan Family Services

Chicago, IL

Internship

Posted yesterday

Job description

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is the legal aid arm of Metropolitan Family Services. Founded in 1886, it is the oldest provider of legal aid in Illinois and the second oldest in the nation. The mission of LAS is to protect and strengthen families by providing equal access to justice for all by focusing on the most vulnerable communities, including those who are impoverished, the elderly, and victims of violence & crimes. We are based in Chicago, Illinois, and serve low-income clients in Cook and DuPage Counties, and the Decatur area.

LAS has four practice groups: Safety & Family focuses on issues related to family law and orders of protection for survivors of domestic violence and on the prevention of abuse and financial exploitation of seniors; Health, Housing, & Economic Stability represents low-income tenants facing evictions, housing voucher terminations, and other housing issues; Individual Rights & Social Justice works with survivors of human trafficking and immigrant victims of crime to obtain immigration relief, and with individuals with certain employment law matters; Communities Partnering 4 Peace is a community lawyering project dedicated to removing barriers to housing, employment, and financial stability, among other issues, for members of the Chicago community who have been impacted by gun violence.

An intern will have a wide range of litigation exposure, including client interviewing and counseling, negotiation, research, drafting pleadings, and court appearances (if 711-licensed).

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide research case law and procedure for effective client representation.
  • Assist in identifying and analyzing legal problems and solutions relevant to a practice group’s area of law;
  • Support in participating with attorneys in client interviews and negotiations with adverse parties;
  • Assist in preparing legal documents including motions, discovery materials, and pleadings in connection with court proceedings;
  • Assist maintaining client files; and
  • Work effectively with staff and a diverse client population.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:

  • Currently enrolled in a JD program.
  • An interest in public interest law and direct services legal work;
  • Strong research and writing skills;
  • The ability to communicate effectively with attorneys, clients, and co-workers;
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
  • Ability to work effectively on individual assignments and as part of a team; and
  • Patience and professionalism while working with diverse clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • An Illinois 711 License or ability to obtain one early in the internship;
  • Spanish language fluency.