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At CIBC, we embrace your strengths and your ambitions, so you are empowered at work. Our team members have what they need to make a meaningful impact and are truly valued for who they are and what they contribute.

To learn more about CIBC, please visit CIBC.com

CIBC's US Legal Department is seeking a law student to serve as a Legal Intern for Summer 2025. The intern will participate in a variety of projects and will gain valuable exposure to the workings of an in-house legal department at a growing US financial institution that is affiliated with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, one of Canada’s largest banks.

The US Legal Department provides legal support for all of the consumer and commercial banking activities of CIBC Bank USA and the investment activities of CIBC's US Private Wealth affiliates. The department also includes the US Corporate Secretary, US Regulatory Affairs, Legal Process, and US Privacy Office functions. Interns may work on projects related to any or all of these functions, and thus will be exposed to not only a wide variety of legal subject matter, but also regulatory relations, regulatory compliance, risk management, and operations matters.

This internship will be based at CIBC Bank USA's headquarters in Chicago's Loop, with the potential for remote and hybrid work options (though not guaranteed).

We anticipate the internship will begin in May 2025 and end in August 2025, with exact start and end dates mutually agreed upon. The expected rate of pay for this internship is $35/hour.

Please submit the following materials as part of your application:

ResumeRecent writing sample that reflects your own work and does not contain (unredacted) confidential information (such as a 1L legal writing class memo, law review note, blog post, or email summary of legal research; length and formality are not inherently prized over clarity and utility)Cover letter explaining your particular interest in the position. You may address this to the attention of Elizabeth Khalil, Deputy General Counsel and US Chief Privacy OfficerLaw school grades (current unofficial transcript is sufficient). If Fall 2024 grades are not currently available, these may be submitted as soon as possible after submitting application

Please submit your application no later than February 6, 2025. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis as we receive applications, and we encourage you to submit your application as early as you can (later supplementing your application with first semester grades when available, as applicable).   

NOTE: This internship is open to current law students only. If you are an undergraduate, we encourage you to consider applying to the array of other internship opportunities CIBC offers.

What You’ll Be Doing

Performing legal research, including 50-state surveysDrafting summaries, analyses, and recommendationsAnalyzing cross-border legal issues  Monitoring and analyzing new proposed and enacted legislation and regulatory changes, issuances from regulators, and relevant litigationDrafting, reviewing, editing, and/or updating legal documents, such as loan documents, account agreements, and vendor contractsDrafting, reviewing, editing, and/or updating internal documents, such as policies and procedures and training materials  Monitoring technological developments in the marketplace that impact privacy and information securityWorking with law firms that serve as outside counsel to CIBCWorking with US Corporate Secretary on Board of Directors meetings and materialsWorking with US Legal Process team to review, research, and respond to subpoenas, levies, garnishments, citations to discover assets, and court orders Working with US Privacy OfficeWorking with US Regulatory Affairs to prepare for examinations and respond to regulatory requestsContributing to Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs and banker education programs, including those related to emerging technology and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)

Interns are also encouraged to take on a summer-long research project of their own choosing, to culminate in a presentation or a writing project that can be used as a writing sample or the basis for an article.

Who You Are

Good standing at an ABA-accredited law schoolRising 2L or 3L status in a JD program, or currently enrolled in a graduate law school degree program (LLM, SJD), as of Summer 2025Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (where applicable)Demonstrated attention to detail Strong critical thinking skillsStrong analytical, writing, and oral communication skills Ability to take initiative, own projects, balance competing priorities, and take accountability for performanceSincere interest in learning about banking, financial privacy, and related work of the US Legal DepartmentAbility to work independently as well as part of a diverse, collegial, and highly collaborative team    

To be eligible for this program, you must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis.

How You Succeed

You take ownership and hold yourself accountable for contributing as a true member of the team and making the most of your time on the team, rather than passively experiencing your role.You enjoy investigating complex problems, and making sense of information. You can communicate detailed information in an impactful way.You seek out innovative solutions and embrace evolving technologies. You can easily adapt to new tools and trends.You understand that success is in the details. You notice things that others don't. Your critical thinking skills help to inform your decision making.You respect confidentiality and data security, and guard all nonpublic information with the highest degree of care.You have passion and are motivated with high career aspirations. You can assume significant levels of responsibility for assignments to be completed within short timeframes and manage competing priorities.You're driven by collective success. You know that collaboration can transform a good idea into a great one. You understand the power of an inclusive team that enjoys working together to create a shared vision.Values matter to you. You bring your real self to work and you live our values – trust, teamwork and accountability.

What CIBC Offers 

At CIBC, our people are our greatest asset. You’ll become part of a diverse community that acknowledges everyone’s unique talents, and empowers teams to do what’s right for the client, and to do it well. As part of our team, you will: 

Thrive: Benefit from an open and approachable culture that provides the flexibility and support you need to integrate your life at work and at home. 

Connect: Work in a place where the right technology and infrastructure fosters innovation, collaboration and creativity. 

Develop: Grow your skills and career through our best-in-class onboarding experience, ongoing learning opportunities, individual development planning, and comprehensive product training. 

Prosper: Share in our collective success with a competitive salary, incentive pay, banking benefits, health benefits program, and employee share purchase plan. 

 

At CIBC, we offer a competitive total rewards package.  This role has an expected hourly rate of $35.00 per hour for the State of Illinois market based on experience, qualifications, and location of the position. CIBC offers a full range of benefits and programs to meet our intern's needs; including 401(k) contribution, Paid Time Off (including Sick Leave and Vacation), and Holidays, in addition to other special perks reserved for our team members.   

 

California residents — your privacy rights regarding your actual or prospective employment 

At CIBC, your goals are a priority. We start with your strengths, ambitions and strive to create opportunities to tap into your potential.  

What you need to know

CIBC is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and clients feel like they belong. We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and we provide an accessible candidate experience. If you need accommodation, please contact Mailbox.careers-carrieres@cibc.com

You need to be legally eligible to work at the location(s) specified above and, where applicable, must have a valid work or study permit.

We may ask you to complete an attribute-based assessment and other skills tests (such as simulation, coding, MS Office). Our goal for the application process is to get to know more about you, all that you have to offer, and give you the opportunity to learn more about us.

Expected End Date

2025-08-22

Job Location

IL-120 S LaSalle St, 4th Fl

Employment Type

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Weekly Hours

40

Skills

Communication, Legal Research, Writing