Judicial Intern Opportunity Program
Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) Applications are now closed. More information can be found on the JIOP Page.
The mission of JIOP is to provide judicial internships to first- and second-year law students who are members of racial and ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in the profession. The program also provides opportunities to students with disabilities, women, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students who identify as LGBT.
For 2020, 730 students applied to the program. We placed 135 students with 107 judges. Students placed represented 63 different law schools. The JIOP IP program continues to grow with 10 judges requesting students with background or interest in intellectual property law. 90 of the 730 applicants showed interest with 63 of those students attaching additional background and statements supporting their experience. We placed a total of 18 IP students.
Internships are available in several locations in California, Illinois and Texas. In addition, we offer internships in the following metropolitan areas: Phoenix, AZ; Washington, D.C.; Miami, FL; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; and Seattle, WA.
Students may indicate geographic preferences on their applications but may not request specific judges or courts. Interns are required to work full-time (32 hours/week) for a minimum of six weeks and will receive an award of $2,000.
Internships for students with a focus on intellectual property law will be offered in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Texas and Washington, D.C. These specialized spots are limited, and any student applying with a request for specialization will also be considered for general litigation internships.
For detailed program information, frequently asked questions visit the JIOP Page.
Questions about the program can be directed to the Program Director, Gail Howard, at [email protected] or 312-988-6348.
Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law's Sydney B. Williams Jr. Scholarship
The Foundation’s scholarships are named in honor of Sidney B. Williams Jr., the first African American to hold major leadership roles in both the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law and the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law (ABA-IPL) and who has given, and continues to give, countless hours and boundless energy to influence and assist minority students looking for a future in science and engineering to pursue law school and intellectual property law. Applying stringent selection criteria, the Foundation provides financial support to students who are well accomplished, with stellar credentials and attributes that the Foundation believes will lead to their success in the IP law field.