Under the direction of a chief assistant inspector general, the legal intern will assist OIG attorneys in a wide range of legal projects related to OIG administrative and criminal investigations, audit and program reviews, and other special projects. Interns will perform legal research and draft legal memoranda. Interns will gain substantive legal experience in the areas of internal investigations, labor and employment law, criminal law and procedure, governmental oversight, governmental ethics, and compliance.
OIG is accepting legal intern applications for fall/winter 2026. Start and end dates are flexible.
DUTIES:
- Collaborates with all sections of the Office to provide legal support, advice, and direction for investigations, performance audits, program reviews, evaluations, inspections, inquiries, campaign finance enforcement, and compliance activities
- Assists in drafting memoranda, reports, advisories, and notifications detailing findings and recommendations arising from formal inquiries of the OIG for transmission to the Mayor’s Office, Corporation Counsel, City Council, department heads, other affected entities and the public
- Performs legal research into and provides legal advice on local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, regulations and policies relative to the intake of complaints and assigned matters
- Assists or observes other duties related to OIG’s administrative and criminal investigations, as well as OIG’s audits and public safety oversight work, which may include attending interviews, performing document review and analysis, and collaborating with City or outside agencies, including law enforcement agencies
- Performs related duties as required
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Must have completed the first year of study towards a JD degree at an ABA-accredited law school by the time the internship starts. Internships must be completed for law school course credit. Must be able to abide by OIG’s Confidentiality policies.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Interest in the work of the Office of Inspector General, including government oversight and complex administrative investigations
- Completion of some coursework in administrative law, labor law, criminal law, evidence, constitutional law, and/or civil or criminal procedure
- Strong legal research and writing skills
- Ability to organize, prioritize, monitor, and execute competing assignments, and control deadlines
- Demonstrated leadership ability and initiative on assigned tasks
- Consciousness of diversity, inclusion, and equity challenges across communities, including for underserviced and underrepresented communities in the City of Chicago and commitment to address those challenges and positively contribute to OIG’s internal culture of inclusion, respect, and community
- Capability to collaborate with colleagues from a wide array of technical and professional disciplines and backgrounds in and across all the office’s sections
ANNUAL SALARY: Unpaid. Internships must be completed for law school course credit.
SCHEDULE: The working hours for this position are flexible. This role requires in-person work.
WE VALUE DIVERSITY
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is an equal opportunity employer.
OIG is an inclusive organization that hires and develops all its staff of all levels regardless of race, religion, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, marital or parental status, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, age, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law.
OIG strives to create the kind of workplace where a socially diverse mix of people can thrive professionally. We pride ourselves in meeting our legal charge to promote economy, effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity in government. Through the hard work of our passionate and innovative team, OIG aims to serve every community with equity, respect, and dignity.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to disability or pregnancy to participate in the application process, please contact OIG’s Manager of Human Resources Eloise Markham at emarkham@igchicago.org. Please be prepared to provide information in support of your reasonable accommodation request.
THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND MILITARY FRIENDLY EMPLOYER
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. The City of Chicago does not participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System). In addition, employment at the Office of Inspector General is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check.
NOTIFICATION REGARDING USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
The submission of written materials (e.g., writing sample, essay, cover letter, etc.) generated in-part or fully by AI is strongly discouraged. Candidates who submit AI generated written materials may be disqualified from further consideration.