Public Interest Litigation Fellow – Public Interest – Chicago

Office of the Illinois Attorney General; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Illinois Attorney General is seeking Public Interest Fellows, recent law school graduates to support complex litigation with strong research and writing skills.

The fellowship begins August/September 2027 for 1–2 years and may lead to continued employment. Illinois Bar eligibility required before start; clerks and first-three-year lawyers encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• The position targets recent law school graduates committed to public service with exceptional legal research and writing skills.
• Open to lawyers in their first three years of practice, including current clerks or fellowship participants.
• Applicants must be Illinois Bar members or plan to take the Illinois Bar exam before starting the fellowship.

Responsibilities

• Research and advise on complex or novel legal issues.
• Participate in pre-litigation claims analysis and development.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

The Public Interest Division is seeking one or more recent law school graduates to serve in a limited term assignment as a Public Interest Fellow. The Public Interest Division brings affirmative litigation to protect the rights and interests of Illinois residents and defends state laws regarding reproductive rights, gun violence prevention, civil rights, immigrants’ rights, antitrust protections, and workers’ rights. In addition to these long-standing commitments, attorneys in the Division are currently at the forefront of the Attorney General’s wide-ranging effort to challenge unlawful actions by the federal government. The Public Interest Fellow participates in and supports the Division’s work, with a particular focus on providing research and writing support in complex litigation.

Responsibilities

Duties include researching and advising on complex or novel legal issues; participating in pre-litigation claims analysis and development; drafting declarations, affidavits, and other evidentiary material for litigation; developing investigative and litigative strategies; interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence; coordinating with state agencies and attorney general staff from other states to develop and support litigation; and handling or assisting with the drafting of briefs and other court papers. The Public Interest Fellowship will begin in August/September 2027, for a duration of at least one but not more than two years. Fellows will also have the opportunity to seek continued employment with the Attorney General’s office at the end of their term.The Public Interest Fellowship is designed for recent law school graduates who are committed to public service and have exceptional legal research and writing skills. The position is open to lawyers in their first three years of practice, including applicants who are current judicial law clerks, participants in government, academic, or public interest fellowships, and third-year law students at accredited law schools. The position is well-suited for applicants finishing a clerkship in Fall 2027, or with clerkships scheduled to begin at the conclusion of the Fellowship term (Fall 2028 or 2029). Applicants must be Illinois Bar members or plan to take the Illinois Bar exam (or otherwise apply for Bar membership) prior to beginning the fellowship.

Salary

Salaries are commensurate with the number of years of practice as a licensed attorney. Salaries for licensed attorneys start at $82,000. The prelicensure salary is $54,612.

Applicants are encouraged to apply by November 20, 2026.

Attn: Hanan Malik
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
115 S. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60603
[phone]
[phone] (Fax)
[e-mail]