10 Paid Law Internships for High School Students in 2024-2025
Looking to explore a future career in law? These paid internships provide valuable opportunities to advance your career. By working alongside legal professionals, you will gain hands-on exposure to different aspects of the legal system, ranging from criminal justice to public interest advocacy. These internships not only allow you to develop practical skills such as legal research, case documentation, and public speaking, but they also offer mentorship from seasoned attorneys who can guide you in your career path.
Additionally, participating in a paid internship can be a positive addition to your college applications. It can show admissions officers your commitment to learning outside the classroom and your ability to handle professional tasks.
Here’s our list of 10 paid law internships for high schoolers in 2024-2025:
The Manhattan District Attorney's High School Internship Program offers you an opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the workings of a major prosecutorial office. Interns help assistant district attorneys with case research, observe court proceedings, and participate in workshops focused on criminal justice topics and trial preparation.
The program provides an introduction to the criminal justice system, giving you an understanding of how cases are managed and prosecuted in one of the busiest district attorney offices in the country! You will engage in professional development seminars, interactive discussions with senior prosecutors, and career panels that provide insights into different legal career paths. The program culminates with a mock trial competition, allowing you to apply your knowledge in a simulated courtroom environment.
Eligibility: High school students (grades 10-12) residing or studying in Manhattan
Dates: July 8 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Stipend: Minimum wage
Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, New York, NY
Application Deadline: March 8, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The Nashville Bar Association (NBA) High School Intern Summer Program, organized by the NBA Diversity Committee, provides paid summer internships for diverse high school students in the Nashville area. The program offers you an opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the legal profession by working in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government law offices.
You will be placed in legal settings where you work full-time, learning about the day-to-day operations of the legal field and developing professional skills. The program begins with an orientation session to introduce you to the law office environment and set expectations. Weekly "Lunch and Learn" sessions provide additional insights into the legal profession, law school application processes, and strategies for success in law school. This program aims to foster diversity in the legal field by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and practical experience.
Eligibility: Students graduating in 2024 and rising seniors graduating in 2025 from Nashville-area high schools
Program Dates: June 7 – July 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: Various locations in Nashville, TN
Stipend: $10–$15/hour
Application Deadline: March 29, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Offered by Maryland Youth & the Law, the Law Links Internship program places high school students in legal organizations across Baltimore. Interns assist with administrative tasks, conduct legal research, and observe legal proceedings. The program also includes a leadership institute that introduces foundational legal concepts and professional skills.
You will gain exposure to various areas of the law, including civil rights and criminal defense, while attending seminars hosted by attorneys. Through mentorship and structured training, you will develop valuable skills for a future career in law. The program offers visits to legal institutions such as courthouses and community justice centers, providing you with a broader perspective on how different sectors of the legal system function together.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending a Baltimore City Public High School
Dates: June 23 – August 8, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Stipend: $15/hour
Location: Various locations in Baltimore, MD
Application Deadline: April 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The CIS Summer Legal Internship Program, offered in partnership with the Houston Bar Association, provides high school students with hands-on experience in the legal field. Interns are placed in various law firms, corporate legal departments, and public legal institutions, where they assist legal professionals with administrative tasks, conduct legal research, and observe courtroom proceedings.
The program also features professional development workshops and mentorship from attorneys, giving you exposure to different career paths within the legal profession. You will have the opportunity to learn about various legal specialties, gain insights into the operations of law firms, and develop a clearer understanding of the skills required to succeed in a legal career.
Eligibility: High school students in Houston
Dates: June 10 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Stipend: All internships offered by CIS of Houston are compensated positions
Location: Various locations in Houston, TX
Application Deadline: Typically in May
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program, organized by the New York City Bar Association, provides high school students from underrepresented backgrounds with meaningful exposure to the legal profession.
Interns are placed in law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations, where they assist attorneys with research, administrative support, and client-related tasks. The program also features career development workshops, mentorship from practicing attorneys, and networking events designed to help you explore various legal career paths. You will participate in activities that foster professional skills, such as resume writing, interview techniques, and public speaking, ensuring you are prepared for future opportunities in the legal field.
Eligibility: High school students living or studying in New York (ages 16 and older)
Dates: April 17 – August 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Stipend: Minimum wage is paid
Location: Various locations in Manhattan, NY
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The Atlanta Bar Association's Summer Law Internship Program provides students with hands-on exposure to the legal profession. Interns are placed in law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations across Atlanta, where they assist attorneys with research, administrative tasks, and client intake. The program includes professional development workshops on legal writing, ethics, and career pathways in law. You will also have opportunities to participate in mock trials and attend legal networking events, helping you understand the diversity of career options within the legal field.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Atlanta
Dates: May 29 – July 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Stipend: $2,000
Location: Various locations in Atlanta, GA
Application Deadline: February 9, 2024 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The Judicial Youth Corps Program offers high school students an opportunity to learn about the judicial system by working directly with judges and other court staff. You will be placed in Massachusetts courthouses, giving you the chance to observe court proceedings and assist with case documentation. You will also participate in educational seminars that cover various aspects of the judicial process, including courtroom etiquette, the role of different court personnel, and the importance of fair representation. Through this program, you have the opportunity to learn about careers in the judicial system and develop your understanding of how justice is administered at the state level.
Eligibility: High school students in Massachusetts
Dates: June 8 – August 16, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Stipend: Minimum wage is paid
Location: Boston/Worcester/Springfield, MA
Application Deadline: March 28, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The Summer Law Internship Program organized by the Memphis Bar Association places high school students in law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations across Memphis, where they work closely with attorneys. As an intern, you will assist with research, administrative tasks, and client-related activities while gaining practical knowledge of the day-to-day operations within a legal setting. The program also includes seminars on legal career pathways, workshops on professional skills development, and mentorship opportunities to help you explore different areas of law. Through hands-on learning and networking, you will gain valuable insights into potential legal careers and the skills needed for success in the legal field.
Eligibility: High school students in Memphis
Dates: June 3 – 28, 2024 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Stipend: $500
Location: Various locations in Memphis, TN
Application Deadline: March 22, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The Summer Law Institute (SLI) is a five-week summer program for students who have just completed their eighth-grade year. Hosted by seven law schools in New York City, SLI provides participants with an introduction to the legal profession through classroom instruction, field trips, and practical experiences.
You will learn about criminal justice topics taught by law students, interact with legal professionals daily, and visit legal institutions such as courts and law firms. The program culminates in a mock trial competition, giving you the chance to apply your knowledge and advocacy skills in a real courtroom setting. Graduates of SLI are eligible to apply for the four-year College Bound program, which provides continued support and training to help you gain admission to top colleges and universities.
Eligibility: Rising ninth-grade students from Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island
Dates: First week of July – first week of August 2025
Cost/Stipend: Free (Stipend is given to students upon successful completion of the program)
Location: Multiple law schools across NYC (Brooklyn Law School, Cardozo School of Law, Columbia Law School, CUNY School of Law, Fordham School of Law, NYU School of Law, St. John’s School of Law)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until all slots are filled
Bonus
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program that provides high school students with the opportunity to work with nonprofits and startups, including legal-tech startups, across the world. Interns work on meaningful, real-world projects, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to their assigned organization's success.
The program includes personalized mentorship through Ladder Coaches, who guide interns in navigating the startup environment and help them develop professional skills. Interns also participate in weekly one-on-one and group training sessions focused on professional development, including communication, teamwork, and leadership. This experience is designed to prepare students for future career opportunities in law and other professional fields by providing a foundation of practical experience and skill-building.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Dates: The winter cohort starts from December 16, 2024
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (Financial assistance available)
Location: Virtual (Work from anywhere in the world)
Application Deadline: November 24, 2024 for the winter cohort
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.