The BCF grant includes scholarships for three summer interns and two school interns working in CBF-funded pro bono and legal aid organizations in the Chicago area, as well as support for the administration of the internship program by PILI. Whether you are an experienced lawyer or have never approached the field of law, GCLC could use your help! Our volunteer needs fluctuate, but we always welcome volunteer lawyers and paralegals, college and law students, and volunteers who can provide administrative support. “I have always had a passion for the intersection of mental health and one`s own life experiences and their impact on underrepresented groups. When I thought about studying law, I knew I wanted to work in the public interest. During my studies, I focused on clinical and community psychology, where I learned about the effects of various environmental and social circumstances on mental health, such as family experiences. My current internship with GCLC`s Family Law and Domestic Violence programs gives me the opportunity to support and learn different ways to provide legal assistance in various domestic matters, alleviate problems in families, and give them hope for a better life. “I want to work in the public interest legal sector to serve my community by protecting their rights. In my current role at GCLC, I can help advocate for community members and their families in the immigration system. Clinic lawyers represent clients in a variety of legal areas, including: foreclosure and deportation, divorce, child support, domestic violence protection, immigration, criminal record, public benefits review and appeals, and environmental law.
Some types of services are available for free to customers, while others are available on a mobile basis. The Client Selection Unit is the one-stop shop for applicants seeking our legal advice. Staff select candidates to determine their suitability, triage legal issues, and determine the appropriate level of service for clients, including referral, advice, or connecting clients with Chicago Legal Aid practice groups for more comprehensive analysis and representation. To learn more about the PILI Law Student Internship Program, including how to apply, please visit pili.org/internships. The Immigrant and Workers` Rights Practice Group is a multidisciplinary team focused on employment, immigration, migrant workers` rights and human trafficking. The team serves migrant and agricultural workers by dealing with housing, health and safety, immigration and human trafficking applications, wage theft and other illegal acts related to their work. The Trafficking Survivors Assistance Program (TSAP) provides comprehensive services to survivors of trafficking, including immigration, victim representation before law enforcement agencies, and civil litigation for survivors. Our immigration team specializes in representing victims of non-citizenship crimes who apply for special humanitarian visas and a variety of other migration-related applications.
The practice group`s employment law team represents individuals in labor disputes, wage theft, claims under the Family Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and advocates discrimination in the workplace in all its forms through administrative and judicial proceedings. Applicants seeking PILI funded internships or scholarships must apply to the PILI program. Here you will find information about full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships and scholarships currently available for law students. Interested in our AmeriCorps VISTA opportunities for lawyers and graduates? Please visit the AmeriCorps website. We provide access to affordable legal services that address the issues our clients face. “Prior to this internship, I explored issues such as barriers to immigrant integration and unequal access to justice from the privilege and comfort of a classroom. The internship at GCLC is a great opportunity for me to get a more complete picture of the struggles and incredible resilience of marginalized communities. Hearing clients` stories and helping them fill out immigration forms has made me more confident in my ability to pursue a career in public interest law. I hope to use my skills and knowledge to empower historically disadvantaged people in the justice system. What attracted you most to GCLC?: “I really liked the fact that GCLC picks customers up where they are using an income-based moving expense approach.