11 Legal Internships for High School Students
If you're a high school student passionate about law and interested in gaining hands-on experience in the field, you should consider participating in an internship! An internship will allow you to gain real-world experience, explore potential career paths, and build connections. For those considering a future in law, securing a legal internship can be particularly impactful.
Early exposure to the legal field will not only help you develop a foundational understanding of the law but will also strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative and a genuine interest in the profession.
Securing a legal internship can set you apart from your peers, equipping you with unique insights and skills that can guide you in your future academic and professional pursuits. Such experiences will also help you gain direct exposure to various legal fields, such as criminal justice, civil litigation, and legal advocacy.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 11 legal internships for high school students!
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend of $2000.
Application Deadline: March 21, 2024; Applications for the 2025 program will open in March 2025.
Dates: May 29–July 19, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors studying in Atlanta high schools can apply.
The Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) is a paid, intensive six-week internship for high school students interested in pursuing a legal career. Established over 30 years ago, the program admits 36 students each year, with an expectation of full commitment from participants.
Weekly All Intern Meetings (AIMs) include regular progress tests to assess your understanding of the material, and insufficient preparation for these meetings and tests may lead to dismissal from the program. The internship focuses on four key objectives: providing meaningful work experience, enhancing students' knowledge of the law, fostering mentor relationships, and promoting diversity within the legal profession. You can find more details about the internship program here.
Location: Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend based on the minimum wage.
Application Deadline: March 8, 2024; The applications for the 2025 program are likely to open in early January.
Dates: July 8–August 9, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, or seniors living in or attending school in Manhattan can apply.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a five-week opportunity for students to gain insights into the criminal justice system at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. As an intern, you will attend workshops and discussions on topics such as criminal justice, police brutality, civic engagement, and leadership.
You will also take part in a mock trial program, gaining practical experience in legal procedures and courtroom dynamics, while developing professionalism in an office setting. To apply, you must submit a one-page resume and a 300-word essay explaining your interest in criminal justice. During the internship, in-person participation is required Monday to Friday, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Location: Memphis, TN
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Participants will receive a $500 stipend.
Application Deadline: March 22, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates:
Orientation: May 31, 2024
Program: June 3–June 28, 2024
Closing Ceremony: July 12, 2024
Dates TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students who are rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors, and who reside in and attend a school in Shelby County, TN, are eligible to apply. Students who have previously participated in the program are not eligible.
The Memphis Bar Association’s Summer Law Intern Program provides high school students with the opportunity to gain experience in the legal workplace of private law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies. Throughout the summer program, participants are expected to complete a total of 60 hours of work.
The program is designed to encourage interest in the legal profession among students from underrepresented groups. If selected, you will be placed in a law firm, corporate legal department, or government agency, where you will receive guidance from a site mentor and supervisor (often prosecutors). You will also have the chance to interact with University of Memphis law students and observe court trials, witnessing lawyers engage in cross-examinations, debates with opposing counsel, and discussions with the judge.
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a weekly stipend of $150 and a metro-card.
Application Deadline: January 31, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates:
Winter Session: February 20–February 23, 2024
Spring Session: April 22–April 26, 2024
Dates TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors living in or attending school in Brooklyn can apply.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office provides in-person internship opportunities for high school students interested in exploring careers in the criminal justice system. As an intern, you will assist in investigations, observe criminal proceedings such as trials, guilty pleas, and sentencings, organize documents, conduct legal research, participate in Trial Zone workshops, and contribute to community outreach efforts. You will learn about the process of building and prosecuting cases, from investigation to court, while exploring different career paths.
The internship is offered to high school students in two sessions: winter and spring. You may be assigned to a general trial zone or specialized units such as Homicide, Special Victims Unit, Violent Criminal Enterprises (VCE), Domestic Violence, Civil Rights, Victim Services, Crime Strategies, or Investigations.
Location: Jimerson Birr office, Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost, but details about a stipend are not provided.Application Deadline: Applications are closed for 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: Typically 4-6 weeks in the summer; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students who can work at the Jimerson Birr office in Florida are eligible to apply.
Jimerson Birr’s internship program provides high school students with an introduction to business law. Interns can choose to work in one of the firm’s departments, such as accounting, legal services, communications, marketing, or information technology, alongside professionals in the field.
As an intern, you will develop skills in strategic thinking, proactive problem-solving, and attention to detail. You will work closely with department heads and refine your professional abilities. During the internship, you’ll collaborate with the firm’s staff and attorneys, attend biweekly team meetings, and contribute to ongoing cases and research. This program will help you prepare for college and build your skill set by providing real-world experience.
Location: Dallas, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend but it varies depending on the employer.
Application Deadline: April 3, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: The internship can be completed either as a full-time, four-week program or a part-time, eight-week program during June and July. The exact dates for 2025 are yet to be announced.
Eligibility: High school juniors in Independent School Districts in Dallas can apply.
The Summer Law Intern Program is a collaborative effort between the Dallas Bar Association (DBA) and the Dallas Independent School District. Selected students are assigned to work with a law firm, a non-profit organization, or the legal department of a corporate law firm for 4-8 weeks. The specific work schedule—full-time for 4 weeks or part-time for 8 weeks—is determined by the employer.
During the internship, you will receive a Summer Learning curriculum that will outline expectations and introduce you to the professional norms within law firms, which you will be required to complete. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in educational activities organized by the DBA, culminating in an end-of-program reception.
Location: Denton, TX
Cost/Stipend: This information is not available at the moment. You can check here for updates.
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Dates: The exact dates vary each year (Dates TBA for 2025). You can check here for updates.
Eligibility: Current high school seniors can apply.
The Denton County District Attorney’s office, in partnership with the Troy LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex and the Dallas Independent School District, offers a Pre-Law internship program for 12 to 15 high school seniors each year. During the internship, you will gain exposure to various aspects of the criminal justice system, from case intake to trial and appeals. Interns visit the District Attorney’s office twice a week to receive mentorship from Assistant District Attorneys and Investigators. Internship opportunities are available in divisions such as Civil, Appellate and Investigation, Felony Trial, Family Violence, Intake/Grand Jury, and Misdemeanor Trial.
Throughout the program, you will observe jury trials, review offense reports, participate in mock trials and moot courts, and tour the jail. This internship provides hands-on learning experiences that go beyond the classroom, offering insight into the practical realities of the legal profession.
Location: The Summer Law Institute is hosted by seven law schools in New York City. You can check the full list here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a monetary stipend upon successful completion of the program.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the slots are filled.
Dates: The program runs from the first week of July through the first week of August. Dates TBA for 2025.
Eligibility: Eighth-grade (rising 9th-grade) students from Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island can apply.
The Summer Law Institute (SLI) is a competitive five-week internship program for high school students, accepting only 30 students at each participating law school. Through this program, you will engage with positive role models, participate in professional activities, and gain hands-on experience through simulations and field trips. You will study criminal justice topics taught by law students, interact with lawyers daily, visit legal institutions, and take part in a mock trial competition. The skills and knowledge gained from this experience will help prepare you for high school.
The program is hosted by seven law schools in New York City: Brooklyn Law School, Cardozo School of Law, Columbia Law School, CUNY School of Law, Fordham School of Law, NYU School of Law, and St. John’s School of Law. After completing the SLI, you will be eligible to apply to the four-year College Bound program, which provides support and training to help students gain admission to top universities. You can find the application here.
Location: Nashville, TN
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive an hourly stipend of $10-15.
Application Deadline: March 29, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 7–July 26, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from the Metropolitan Nashville Public School system can apply.
The Nashville Bar Association’s High School Intern Program offers high school students, primarily from the Metropolitan Nashville Public School system, paid summer internships in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government law offices across Metro Nashville.
The internship encourages students to pursue legal careers and offers direct exposure to the legal field, networking opportunities, and mentorship within the legal community.
During the internship, selected students also participate in an eight-week "lunch and learn" series organized by the Diversity Committee. This series includes meetings with judges and the mayor, tours of courthouses and law schools, and panels with local attorneys.
Location: Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans, LA
Cost/Stipend:
There is no cost to participate in the program. However, if housing is required, students can arrange it through the Office of Student Affairs, Residential Life at Loyola University New Orleans by paying a residential housing fee.
The estimated cost for three weeks of housing is $1,080, or about $60 per day.
Interns receive a stipend of up to $250 upon successful completion of the program.
Application Deadline: May 13, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 10–June 28, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who are interested in the legal profession can apply.
The Louisiana State Bar Association, in collaboration with the Louisiana Supreme Court, Just the Beginning, and Louisiana law schools, organizes an annual internship program for incoming high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates interested in law. The program includes a three-week legal institute where you’ll get to experience a condensed law school session, tour law schools and courts, and shadow professionals in area law offices and courts.
In the “Suit Up” classroom, you will engage in Socratic teaching methods and study subjects like criminal law and legal research. You will also work on a mock trial problem, culminating in an oral argument presented to a panel of judges. Outside the classroom, you’ll gain hands-on experience through attorney job shadowing. This involves touring law firms, attending legal proceedings, and receiving mentoring on legal writing and oral arguments.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: This information is not available at the moment. You can check here for updates.
Application Deadline: February 7, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: The internship runs for four weeks in July. The exact dates are yet to be announced for the 2025 program.
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students residing in and attending school in the five boroughs of NYC can apply.
The High School Division of the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program (The Sotomayor Program) is designed to encourage diverse and underrepresented high school students from all five boroughs of New York City to pursue careers in law. Each summer, selected students participate in judicial internships at state and federal courts and attend educational workshops.
During the program, you will work with a state or federal judge from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Thursday, for four weeks, with Fridays dedicated to workshops on educational and professional development. Additionally, you will need to attend the SCS JIP orientation, which is held virtually or in Manhattan, typically in May.
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 4000 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.skyscaskyskkksndnssskkk
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