HLAI CHARITIES SUMMER INTERNSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

The Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois is a professional, not for profit organization comprised of judges, attorneys, law students, and affiliated legal professionals that relies on the energy of its members to be successful. To this end, the Charitable arm of the organization “HLAIC” awards grants to law students attending an accredited law school in Illinois who will be working for a qualified public interest organization. The number of HLAIC scholarship grants awarded depends on, among other factors, the result of the HLAIC’s fundraising efforts and the number of qualified applicants.

The HLAIC will award scholarship grants ranging from $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 to support full-time, summer employment with a qualified public interest organization. Scholarship grant recipients will be required to complete 300 to 400 hours over a minimum eight-week period. HLAIC scholarship grants may be used to supplement other funding received for work above and beyond the required 300 hours; however, you must disclose any other funding sources and preference will be given to students who lack other dedicated funding for summer work.

Student Eligibility:

1. The applicant must be a student attending an accredited Illinois law school;
2. The applicant must commit to complete between 300 and 400 hours over the course of a minimum eight weeks during the 2022 summer break; and
3. First, second, and third year full-time and part-time students are encouraged to apply and are given equal consideration.

Factors Considered:

1. The extent to which the applicant has participated in activities aligned with HLAIC’s goals and mission;
2. The position obtained by the applicant (or intended position) and the importance of the unmet public legal need to be addressed by applicant;
3. The quality of supervision, including, but not limited to, training, guidance, and learning experience;
4. The applicant’s demonstrated commitment to public service or public interest law; and
5. The quality of the applicant’s application.

Qualified Organization:

An applicant must, before applying, apply to or secure a position at a qualifying public interest organization in the Chicagoland area that meets the following standards (you will need to turn in a copy of that application along with this application):

1. The proposed organization must utilize the legal skills of the applicant;
2. The applicant will be supervised, preferably by a licensed attorney; and
3. The position must be consistent with HLAIC’s goals and would otherwise be unfunded. Public interest work includes, but is not limited to, legal assistance organizations, private nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private, pro bono projects. HLAIC does not fund employment on political campaigns or with judges.

Application:

1. Current resume, highlighting activities in which you have participated that are consistent with HLAIC’s mission and goals;
2. Personal statement (no more than one single-spaced page);
3. Response to the following statement (no more than two single-spaced pages): The role that attorneys play in the Hispanic rights movement;
4. Letter of recommendation from a practicing attorney or law school professor/administrator;
5. Either: (a) a letter from a representative at a qualified organization where applicant has obtained summer employment, or (b) a copy of your application to the qualified organization where you intend to work; and
6. Applicant must be a member of HLAIC and may be asked to participate in a brief interview.

At the end of the summer, the applicant and the qualified organization will be responsible for jointly preparing a brief report summarizing the experience. The applicant will also be responsible for volunteering at at least one HLAIC or HLAIC-sponsored networking, community service, or educational event in the 2023-24 year.

The application must be received by August 15, 2023. The scholarship grants will be awarded shortly thereafter and the winner will be recognized at the HLAI Gala on October 13, 2023, in Chicago. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

Questions concerning the application and the potential eligibility of students and/or organizationsshould be directed to Cesar Orozco at cesar.orozco@gmail.com.