Legal Advocacy Internship
Step into the courtroom and stand beside survivors seeking justice. The Legal Advocacy Internship at A Safe Place provides aspiring legal professionals with frontline experience in domestic violence law, survivor advocacy, and the real-world impact of trauma-informed legal services.
This internship immerses students in the Legal Advocacy Program, which supports survivors through:
- Courtroom accompaniment
- Order of Protection filings
- Crisis safety planning
- Systemic advocacy with prosecutors, law enforcement, and community partners
You will learn how advocacy and justice intersect in one of the most mission-driven and survivor-centered legal programs in Lake County.
What You’ll Do:
- Support legal advocates during client intakes, preparing documentation for Orders of Protection and safety planning
- Shadow court appearances, learn courtroom procedures, and observe advocacy in action
- Help develop legal resource guides and support materials for survivors
- Assist in maintaining confidential case files and digital records in compliance with agency protocols
- Participate in public education events, police trainings, or law enforcement briefings
- Observe coordination between legal, crisis, and housing teams for holistic survivor care
- Research domestic violence policy updates, county-level procedures, and survivor protections under Illinois law
Compensation & Schedule: This internship is unpaid; course credit is available if approved by your institution. The schedule is flexible, with a minimum of 10–15 hours per week, including occasional evenings or weekend events.