JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you for your interest. BPI has no job openings at this time.
FULL TIME FELLOWSHIPS
Through several fellowship programs, BPI is able to hire young lawyers and policy analysts on a full time basis.
The Polikoff-Gautreaux Fellowship, initiated in 1999, offers an invaluable opportunity for a new lawyer or policy analyst to develop skills in preparation for a life long career of public interest advocacy. BPI hires a new Polikoff-Gautreaux Fellow each year. The fellowship term is one year, renewable for a second year, beginning in the summer or fall. Applications are accepted each fall, and fellows are selected by the end of the year.
Skadden, Equal Justice Works and Other Fellowships
BPI is always happy to consider sponsoring applicants for other fellowship programs. In recent years, BPI has been privileged to host several recipients of the Skadden Fellowship for young lawyers. BPI has also sponsored applicants for the Equal Justice Works Fellowships. Finally, BPI has hosted undergraduate fellows and graduate students through non-legal fellowship programs. Those who wish to explore such opportunities should send a cover letter and resume to:
BPI
Attn: Fellowship Coordinator
25 E. Washington Street
Suite 1515
Chicago, IL 60602
ALAN SAKS PUBLIC INTEREST INTERNSHIP
BPI is seeking a law student, graduate student in public policy, or an upper-level undergraduate in a policy-related discipline to serve as the Alan Saks Public Interest Intern.
The Saks internship will last for eight to ten weeks beginning in late February/early March 2008. The Saks Intern will work for 10-15 hours per week on a specially designed project in one of BPI's three program areas: affordable housing, public housing and public education. This Internship offers a stipend commensurate with the successful applicant’s experience and educational attainment.
The Saks Internship was founded to honor the memory of BPI past president and founding director Alan Saks, a Chicago public interest activist and BPI director for over 35 years. Alan’s leadership, tenacity, and passion for social justice inspired the Internship’s creation and the contributions that fund it.
The Saks Internship offers an invaluable opportunity for a law or public policy student to develop skills in preparation for a career of public interest advocacy.
Requirements
- A recent graduate of or currently enrolled in law school or public policy school, or an upper-level undergraduate majoring in a policy-related discipline
- Demonstrated interest and experience in public interest work
- Excellent writing skills
- Strong academic record
- Initiative, creativity and flexibility
How to Apply
The deadline for applications was January 31, 2008. For more information, please contact:
BPI
Alan Saks Public Interest Internship
25 E. Washington Street
Suite 1515
Chicago, IL 60602
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
Each summer, BPI offers numerous paid and volunteer internships for law students, recent law school graduates, students in non-legal graduate programs and undergraduates.
How to Apply
As of March 1, BPI has completed its intern hiring process for Summer 2008. Applications for Summer 2009 internships will be accepted beginning Winter 2008. At that time, all students interested in BPI internships should send a cover letter and resume to:
BPI
Attn: Internship Coordinator
25 E. Washington Street
Suite 1515
Chicago, IL 60602
Funding for Legal Interns
Many of BPI's legal interns participate in the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) program or law school sponsored internship programs. PILI provides funding for law students to work at various public interest legal organizations in Chicago. PILI also provides an opportunity for incoming associates at many of Chicago's private firms to work part time in public interest legal organizations while they are studying for the Bar Exam.
Funding for Undergraduate Interns
Many undergraduate schools are able to provide funding for students to do public interest work and we welcome applications from students at such schools. When no other funding is available, BPI is sometimes able to offer modest stipends to undergraduate interns.
SCHOOL YEAR INTERNSHIPS
BPI also welcomes school year interns, both law students and students in non-legal fields. We are open to exploring a variety of arrangements, from part time to full time and paid to volunteer. The Public Interest Law Initiative offers paid spring semester internships to Chicago-area law students. Various law schools, graduate schools and undergraduate schools also offer opportunities to earn academic credit for school year internships.
How to Apply
Those who are interested in exploring such opportunities should send a cover letter and resume to:
BPI
Attn: Internship Coordinator
25 E. Washington Street
Suite 1515
Chicago, IL 60602
