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Clerk/internship FAQs Thank you for your interest in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office Clerkship/Internship Program. The Internship Program is designed specifically for students. Please read this page very carefully, as it contains answers to many common questions. If you are a licensed attorney or a third year law student inquiring about the Assistant State's Attorney application process or an employment opportunity, please email attyhire@cookcountyil.gov. If you are applying to the Clerkship/Internship Program and need to send additional or missing documents to complete your application file, the newly submitted material(s) will be collected and added to your file. You do not need to resend previously submitted application material. Frequently Asked Questions 1) What are the application deadline dates? 1. What are the application deadline dates? 2. I am in school, what information do I need to send to your Office to apply? FOR UNDERGRADUATE and GRADUATE STUDENTS: 3. What is a writing sample? 4. How many letters of recommendation do I need to send? 5. Will you accept an electronic signature? 6. Where should I send application materials? Cook County State's Attorney's Office *For your convenience you may also fax application materials to the Clerkship/Internship Program 7. Can I send my application materials to the Division where I want to work? 8. Once I submit a complete application, when will I hear back from your Office? 9. Will I get to work where I want? 10. I clerked/interned at the State’s Attorney’s Office before, can you pull my file and use that information to accept me into the Program again? 11. Are clerkships and internships paid positions? 12. What is the difference between a clerk and an intern? 13. I live in suburban Cook County, can I apply for a clerkship/internship in one of the suburban district offices? 14. How long can I clerk or intern for your office? How many hours per week can I work? 15. I am a student, but not a U.S. citizen. Can I apply for the Clerkship/Internship Program? 16. Where can I get an application to the Program? Again, thank you for your interest in the Cook County State's Attorney Office!
Cook County State's Attorney's Office
Clerkship/Internship Program
2) I am in school, what information do I need to send to your Office to apply?
3) What is a writing sample?
4) How many letters of recommendation do I need to send?
5) Will you accept an electronic signature?
6) Where should I send application materials?
7) Can I send my application materials to the Division where I want to work?
8) Once I submit a complete application, when will I hear back from your Office?
9) Will I get to work where I want?
10) I clerked/interned at the State’s Attorney’s Office before, can you pull my file and use that information to accept me into the Program again?
11) Are clerkships and internships paid positions?
12) What is the difference between a clerk and an intern?
13) I live in suburban Cook County, can I apply for a clerkship/internship in one of the suburban district offices?
14) How long can I clerk or intern for your office? How many hours per week can I work?
15) I am a student, but not a U.S. citizen. Can I apply for the Clerkship/Internship Program?
16) Where can I get an application to the Program?
Clerkship/Internship Program Application Deadline Dates
Semester Deadline
Fall August 1
Summer April 15
Spring January 1
A complete application consists of the following items for LAW SCHOOL and PARALEGAL PROGRAM STUDENTS:
* Application with signed release form
* Current Resume
* Legal Writing Sample
* At least one letter of recommendation
* An unofficial transcript
* Application with signed release form
* Current Resume
* At least one letter of recommendation
A writing sample (required of law school and paralegal program students only) is anything you have written for class, a law school journal or another legal job. There are no content or length requirements; feel free to excerpt.
We require that you send at least one letter of recommendation from a professor, former employer, or someone who knows you in a professional setting. If you have access to more than one letter, please feel free to send additional recommendation letters.
No. The Release Form, or page 4 of the application, must be physically signed, do not type your name into the space provided. Failure to submit a physically signed Release Form will delay the processing of your application.
Please address and send all application materials as follows:
ATTN: Clerkship/Internship Program
69 W. Washington, Ste. 3200
Chicago, IL 60602
at 312-603-9689.
No. Send all application materials to the Clerkship/Internship Program ONLY.
Sending your application to Divisions can cause a delay in the processing of your application, or cause it to get lost entirely.
The standard time for the application review process is 2-4 weeks; however depending on the volume of applications we receive the review process can take longer. Please be patient. We have many, many positions available and will accommodate most applicants.
Not necessarily. While we do our best to match applicants to their area(s) of interest, please be aware that we are not always able to accommodate. Clerk and intern placements are based not only on the student’s preferred area(s) of legal interest, but on the needs of the State's Attorney’s Office as well.
No. If you have clerked or interned for our office before and have been away from the Office for a semester or longer, you will need to reapply to the Program. This means that you will have to submit a new application along with updated application materials.
Our clerks and interns work on a voluntary unpaid basis, however some schools do offer students stipends or scholarships for working at our office. We strongly encourage you to check with your school to see if it offers such funding.
Clerks are law school students, and interns are students who are in non-law school programs.
Yes, our suburban district offices accept clerks and interns. Please indicate your preferred suburban office location on your application. But, please make sure that you send your completed application to the Clerkship/Internship Program at the address listed above, to ensure that it is processed properly and routed to the suburban location that you requested.
Our clerkships/internships typically last eight weeks; students usually work 20-40 hours per week depending on their school schedules. The Office is flexible with respect to scheduling, provided that both your needs and the needs of the Office can be accommodated.
Yes, the Program will accept students from other countries, but the student must first obtain a VISA, and be proficient in reading and speaking English. Also, we strongly encourage visiting students to secure lodging/housing well in advance of staring an internship.
You may download the application HERE.