BPI Internships
BPI hosts law and policy summer and academic-year interns and externs. Law and policy graduate students work individually and in collaboration across program areas, assisting BPI legal and policy staff to advance program priorities. Students who complete an internship at BPI will gain invaluable experience in the field of civil rights and exposure to the exciting work of a non-profit legal organization.
Duties can include:
- Researching legal and policy issues;
- Writing memoranda, briefs, and policy papers
- Developing legal or policy strategies; and
- Participating in meetings with BPI staff and with coalition partners, community members, and government stakeholders.
Internship Requirements
Law and policy graduate students are invited to apply for internships at BPI.
At a minimum, all applicants should possess:
- A demonstrated commitment to civil rights and social justice
- Strong research and writing abilities
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team and in partnership with community stakeholders
- Self-motivation and comfort with handling multiple projects or assignments at a time
- An ability to work for at least 37.5 hours a week for at least 8 weeks for a summer internship (400 hours are required for PILI interns); an ability to work at least 10 to 15 hours a week during the academic year
- An ability to commute to BPI’s downtown office as needed
How to Apply
Send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to internships@bpichicago.org, subject line “Internship Application.” BPI may request unofficial transcripts (or class schedule) and list of references from applicants later in the application process.
Funding for law students may be available through the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), which offers stipends for law student interns. Please visit their website for more details on application cycles and deadlines. BPI also encourages interns to seek school and other external funds. BPI may be able to provide limited financial support to interns who demonstrate that they have exhausted efforts to secure school and other external funds, though we generally do not provide funding to school-year interns. We will work with students so that they may receive academic credit their work if desired.
BPI is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, immigrants, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, people with lived experience of poverty, and people from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
Reasonable accommodation will be made so that applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.