10 Prestigious Law Firm Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student considering a legal career, applying for a law firm internship can give you hands-on experience in the field. Some programs even offer exposure to courtroom proceedings, client meetings, and pro bono cases. These opportunities allow you to work alongside attorneys and legal professionals, gaining practical insight into different areas of law, such as corporate, criminal, or human rights law.
Internships also help you build connections with legal experts who can offer mentorship and career guidance. Adding a law firm internship for high school students to your resume can strengthen college applications by demonstrating initiative and commitment to law.
To help you get started, here are 10 prestigious law firm internships to consider!
10 Prestigious Law Firm Internships for High School Students
Hosting Law Firm: Jimerson Birr, Jacksonville, Florida
Program dates: 4-6 weeks during the summer months
Application deadline: Generally in the spring
Eligibility: Open to all high school students with strong communication skills and a passion for learning.
Stipend: None
A Florida-based law firm, Jimerson Birr offers a 4-6 week summer internship for high school students interested in business law. As an intern, you’ll assist in drafting legal documents, conducting case research, and supporting administrative tasks across departments like legal services, accounting, communications and marketing, and information technology. You’ll also have the opportunity to sit in on client meetings and observe court proceedings, gaining first-hand exposure to real legal work.
Hosting Law Firm: McDivitt Law Firm, Colorado Springs, CO
Program dates: The schedule will be confirmed later. Check the Law Firm website for updates.
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Stipend: None
McDivitt Law Firm offers a highly selective summer internship, admitting only one high school student and one college student each year. As an intern, you’ll start with training to understand the firm’s operations, rules, and expectations. You’ll then work alongside paralegals, case managers, and lawyers, assisting with daily tasks. A key part of your internship will be participating in the Colorado Springs Teen Court, where you’ll observe and contribute to real juvenile court proceedings. By the end of the program, you’ll present a report on your experience and receive a letter of recommendation from the firm.
Hosting Law Firm: Hall-Jackson & Associates, Chicago, IL
Program dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students from high school, college, and law school
Stipend: None
At Hall-Jackson & Associates, you can join an internship or externship program designed for high school, college, and law students. As an intern, you’ll draft legal documents, assemble case materials, conduct research, and assist in trial preparation. You’ll work directly with trial briefs, subpoenas, discovery requests, motions, and evidence, gaining hands-on experience in legal processes. You’ll also study laws, statutes, constitutions, and court opinions, helping you develop a deeper understanding of the legal system.
Hosting Law Firm: Peña Aleczander, McAllen, TX
Program dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: All high school, college, and law school students
Stipend: None
The Peña Aleczander summer internship gives high school students the chance to gain practical experience at a Texas-based law firm specializing in catastrophic injury, commercial litigation, white-collar defense, and general business counsel. As an intern, you’ll work directly under attorneys, contributing to defense and litigation activities. Your tasks will include office work, legal research, and attending client meetings, depositions, mediations, and trials with the attorneys. This internship offers you a well-rounded view of legal work, allowing you to observe and participate in key legal processes, from case preparation to courtroom procedures.
Hosting Law Firm: Evan Guthrie Law Firm, Charleston, SC
Program dates: Flexible, depending on the candidate’s time commitments
Application deadline: None. Applications seem to be accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: All high school, college, and law school students
Stipend: None
The Evan Guthrie Law Firm internship provides high school, college, and law school students with hands-on experience at a Charleston-based law firm specializing in estate planning, probate, divorce, personal injury, elder law, special needs law, and prenuptial agreements. As an intern, you’ll gain exposure to various legal practice areas, assisting with research, case preparation, and administrative tasks. You may also observe legal proceedings and client interactions, offering a firsthand look at the daily operations of a law firm.
Here are some bonus law internship opportunities to consider! While they aren’t directly offered by law firms, these programs partner with firms and could lead to a placement there:
Location: New York City
Program dates: Virtual workshops will take place in April. The internship runs from June 18 – August 28
Application deadline: January 13
Eligibility: Students attending a NYC public high school
Stipend: $16-22/hour
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship, organized by the New York City Bar, connects high school students with legal employers for a summer of hands-on experience. After a rigorous application process, you'll be matched with a law firm, corporation, non-profit, or government organization.
Most interns work under paralegals or support staff, assisting with administrative tasks like recordkeeping, filing mail, and handling phone calls. In addition to daily tasks, you'll have opportunities to attend networking events, pre-employment training sessions, and a mock trial, helping you build skills and connections in the legal field. You can go through the program FAQs here.
Location: Various locations available
Program dates: Specific dates vary by site. An 8-week training program takes place during the summer months. The internship takes place during the school year.
Application deadline: Applications generally open in the fall and close in the spring
Eligibility: High school juniors who are allowed to work in the U.S. and can accommodate the internship hours in their senior year
Stipend: Hourly rates vary by site. Students generally earn between $10,000-$12,000 throughout the internship.
Genesys Works offers a yearlong pipeline program for high school students interested in corporate careers, starting with an 8-week summer training period. During this training, you’ll gain technical skills in IT and business development, along with professional soft skills like public speaking and communication.
Afterward, you’ll be placed in a paid internship with one of the program’s partner companies, including law firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Locke Lorde, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. The program also provides career guidance and support with college applications, making it a great way to build both professional experience and future opportunities.
Location: Baltimore, MD
Program dates: June 23 – August 8
Application deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending a Baltimore City High School
Stipend: $15/hour
The Maryland Youth and the Law program offers high school students the opportunity to engage in the Law Links Internship, a 7-week, paid internship with a law firm or law-related agency. In 2024, partnerships included firms like Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP, Gordon Feinblatt LLC, and Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC.
During the internship, you’ll perform tasks like fielding phone calls, working in the mailroom, conducting research, and filing. Additionally, you’ll attend the Law & Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, a 50-hour educational seminar that covers professional skills and includes guest lectures from legal professionals. As an added benefit, you’ll also receive professional attire at no cost.
Location: Various locations in Dallas, TX
Program dates: Session 1 from June 9 - July 4, Session 2 from July 7 - August 1, Full Session from June 9 - August 1
Application deadline: April 3
Eligibility: High school juniors from the Dallas Independent School District who have an academic average of 85 or above
Stipend: Stipend is provided but no amount has been specified
The Dallas Bar Association’s Summer Law Intern Program connects high school students with law internships, offering hands-on experience in law firms or corporate legal departments. As an intern, you’ll assist with tasks like filing, organizing, and conducting research.
The internships last 4 or 8 weeks and can be part-time or full-time. You’ll also complete a summer learning curriculum and attend educational events throughout the program. The internship concludes with an end-of-program reception, offering you a chance to network and reflect on your experience.
Location: Various locations in Nashville, TN
Program dates: June 7 – July 26
Application deadline: March 29
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 2.0
Stipend: $10-$15/hour
The Nashville Bar Association’s summer program offers a 7-week paid internship for high school students interested in legal careers. As an intern, you will be placed at a law firm, corporate legal department, or government law office in Metro Nashville. Your tasks will include making spreadsheets, conducting research, and managing courthouse filings. You may also have the chance to attend depositions, mediations, or trials.
The program pairs you with a mentor who will guide you throughout the internship. Additionally, “Lunch and Learn” sessions will provide insight into legal professions, law school applications, and success tips. You may also meet judges and attorneys and visit courthouses.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in law and policy, 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.
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