Paid Summer 2027 711 Law Clerk

Cook County State's Attorney; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 23,866 - 33,992; Full time

Job summary

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) is offering a paid 711 Internship for rising third year law students. This highly competitive program provides hands-on legal experience, including conducting legal research, preparing memos, and assisting in courtroom proceedings.

Interns will work closely with Assistant State’s Attorneys across various criminal divisions. This internship requires a minimum commitment of 32 hours per week over 12 weeks, running from June to August 2027. The pay rate is competitive, reflecting the previous year's rate of $21 per hour.

Join us to shape a safer and stronger Cook County while gaining invaluable legal experience.

Qualifications

• Conducting legal research and preparing memos.
• Assisting with courtroom proceedings.
• Preparing motions and legal filings.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparation of daily court calls.
• Interview witnesses and gather evidence.
• Prepare motions and assist in trials.

Skills

Legal research

Courtroom assistance

Witness interviewing

Experience with Moot Court

Education

Rising 3L law student at an ABA approved school

GPA of 2.5 and above

Job description

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) is a diverse and dedicated team of professionals committed to justice and safety for over five-million residents. As the second-largest prosecutor's office in the U.S., the CCSAO prosecutes criminal and regulatory violations across six bureaus and four units with a staff of over 1,200.

Our Mission

To uphold justice and public safety in Cook County by fairly, ethically, and effectively prosecuting crime, supporting victims, and protecting the rights of all residents.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking individuals who share our passion for justice, diversity, and the well-being of the community. Whether you are a legal professional, an investigator, or an administrative specialist, we value dedication, integrity, and a commitment to our values of accountability, respect, and fairness. Join our team if you are ready to make a tangible impact, work collaboratively, and uphold the principles of justice with unwavering dedication. At the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, your skills and values will help shape a safer and stronger Cook County.

***This opportunity is only available to Law Students graduating in 2028 who will be eligible for their 711 license by June 2027***

The CCSAO Paid 711 Internship Program is highly competitive due to the hands‑on, challenging, and relevant work experience participants will garner. Rising third year (3L) law students will be paired with an Assistant State’s Attorney within one of the several criminal divisions of the Cook County Court System, who will guide and mentor the 711 Intern during their clerkship.

The 711 Clerk is responsible for conducting legal research, preparing memos, partnering with counsel regarding case management and procedural requirements, and most importantly assisting with courtroom proceedings. This is a seasonal role with a minimum of 32 hours, but not to exceed 40 hours a week for 12 weeks from June - August 2027 and is not eligible for benefits.

Pay Rate: TBD - 2026 711 Law Clerks received a rate of $21 per hour

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with preparation of daily court call and breakdown of the court call at the end of court.
• Assist with on‑record daily court call
• Prepare research memos on pending legal issues
• Prepare motions, answers, and other legal filings as required
• Assist with preparation of discovery including video, audio and document evidence review and organization.
• Interview witnesses and law enforcement
• Assist with motions and trials as needed
• Assisting in the notification of witnesses
• Assisting in the notification of witnesses
• Must be a rising 3L law student at an ABA approved law school
• Must be in good standing with your law school (GPA of 2.5 and above), and not be on any type of academic probation or the like
• Must have, or must be able to obtain prior to start of clerkship, a 711 license
• Experience with Moot Court and/or Mock Trial preferred

Special Notes

• We are only accepting applications from rising 3L law students with an anticipated graduation date from an ABA‑accredited law school of December 2027 or May 2028.
• Before applying for this position, if you are seeking school credit for an internship, it is your responsibility to verify with your school if the school allows for students to be monetarily compensated.
• To all prospective candidates seeking an internship opportunity with CCSAO, kindly be informed that we do provide unpaid assignments throughout the academic year in addition to our paid internship program. For individuals who may not be selected for the paid internship, we highly encourage you to consider applying for our unpaid internship program as an alternative avenue for valuable experience. The fall internship application is currently posted on our careers page.
• Assignments are made based upon the staffing needs of the office. Interns may be assigned to suburban courthouses or a Chicago branch court outside of the intern's commuting preferences. Applicants must be prepared to be assigned to any CCSAO location in Cook County and must arrange transportation, either by car or by public transportation, to that assignment if necessary.
• The Cook County State's Attorney's Office does not provide relocation assistance.
• The Cook County State's Attorney's Office does not sponsor H1‑B work visa petitions.

Physical Requirements

(a) Sedentary work. Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Cook County State's Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is an equal opportunity employer, which seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The CCSAO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, the CCSAO will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals due to a disability or pregnancy. The EEOP report can be found on our website at www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.

We are dedicated to ensuring fair treatment for all and fostering a diverse, professional, respectful workplace that reflects the communities of Cook County.