International Law Lyon Internship

The International Law Lyon Internship Fund (ILLI Fund), a partnership between the Philadelphia Bar Foundation and the Philadelphia Bar Association’s International Law Committee, provides stipends to Philadelphia-area law students participating in a summer legal exchange program with the Lyon Bar Association in France.

Each year, rising 2Ls are selected to intern in Lyon, gaining international legal experience while exploring issues of access to justice in a global context. At the same time, French law students come to Philadelphia for six-month internships with law firms, companies, and judges—often engaging in pro bono and public interest work.

The ILLI Fund was created to remove financial barriers for U.S. students and expand access to this enriching experience for a more diverse pool of applicants. Since its founding, the program has supported over 75 legal interns and helped foster global perspectives on justice and legal aid.

Following their return, interns share insights through public panels on how the Lyon Bar addresses civil legal needs, poverty, and discrimination—deepening the Foundation’s commitment to building an equitable legal profession both locally and globally.