14 Internships for Pre-Law Undergraduates
If you are an undergraduate interested in pre-law, an internship can be a good way to explore this field. Internships help you learn about legal careers while developing skills that law schools value.
Why should I do an internship as a pre-law undergraduate?
An internship can significantly improve your chances of getting into law school by showing practical experience, skills, and initiative. By working in legal or law-adjacent settings, you gain experience with legal research, case analysis, writing memos, and professional correspondence. Internships for pre-law undergraduates provide insight into how legal systems operate, whether through observing court proceedings, supporting attorneys, or contributing to policy or advocacy work. Equally important, these experiences allow you to build relationships with legal professionals who can offer mentorship, career guidance, and future letters of recommendation.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 internships for pre-law undergraduate students that offer meaningful experience and opportunities to network with attorneys, judges, and policy professionals.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote | accessible worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the placement | Some positions offer compensation, while others are unpaid, depending on the host organization.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Offered in multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter terms
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines by cohort | applications commonly open in January, May, September, and November
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates and gap-year students able to work for 8 - 12 weeks, committing 10 - 20 hours/week
The Ladder University Internship Program is a competitive, fully online experience that places students with startups and nonprofit organizations working on real operational challenges. Rather than shadowing or completing hypothetical assignments, you take ownership of a defined project that directly contributes to your host organization’s goals. You work closely with a designated supervisor who provides mentorship, feedback, and structured check-ins throughout the internship. The program is designed to build professional skills such as independent problem-solving, clear written communication, and accountability in a remote environment. You also gain exposure to cross-functional collaboration common in startup and nonprofit environments. The experience concludes with a formal project presentation to a professional audience. Apply now!
2. Burr & Forman Pre-Law Program
Location: Burr & Forman, multiple office locations (in-person)
Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: June 1 - 29
Application Deadline: February 27 (rolling acceptances)
Eligibility: Rising college juniors and seniors, as well as recent college graduates
The Burr & Forman Pre-Law Program is a structured, in-person internship designed to prepare students for the academic and professional demands of law school. As a pre-law intern, you will gain exposure to legal practice at an AmLaw 200 firm while working alongside attorneys and legal professionals. The program emphasizes experiential learning, allowing you to observe legal workflows, engage with real legal issues, and better understand the day-to-day realities of practicing law. You also benefit from intentional mentorship through advising sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with firm attorneys. These interactions are designed to help you build confidence and clarity before entering law school.
3. Criminal Law Internship Program (CLIP)
Location: Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Washington, DC
Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Multiple sessions offered year-round, including winter/spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: November 1 (winter/spring) and June 5 (fall)
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students
The Criminal Law Internship Program (CLIP) is a rigorous, immersive internship that places students directly alongside staff attorneys at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. As an investigative intern, you take on substantive responsibilities supporting active criminal defense cases through investigation, client interaction, and case preparation rather than administrative tasks. You may interact with clients in the DC community, assist attorneys in building defense strategies, and observe or participate in courtroom proceedings. The program is widely recognized for its intensity and hands-on nature, offering a realistic view of criminal law and public defense work. Throughout the internship, you develop critical skills in legal investigation, advocacy, and professional judgment.
4. Loyola Project for the Innocent (LPI) Summer Internship
Location: Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, CA (hybrid; in-person 3 - 4 days per week)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Approximately 10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: January 5 (rolling applications)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and law students
The Loyola Project for the Innocent (LPI) Summer Internship offers students the opportunity to gain direct exposure to post-conviction and innocence-focused legal work. As an intern, you will assist licensed attorneys on wrongful conviction cases through legal research, case review, and fact investigation. Your work supports LPI’s mission to identify and free individuals who have been wrongfully convicted, offering insight into the complexities of criminal appeals and systemic justice issues. The internship emphasizes hands-on experience rather than observational learning, allowing you to see how legal strategy, evidence review, and advocacy intersect. You also gain experience working in a legal clinic environment where collaboration and ethical responsibility are central to daily work.
5. Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI) Internship Program
Location: Washington, DC (hybrid; in-person work at WCPI offices and on Capitol Hill with some remote flexibility)
Stipend: Approximately $17.95/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Offered year-round in spring, summer, and fall cycles
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cycle
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students or those who graduated within six months of the application deadline
The Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI) Internship Program is a paid, policy-focused opportunity designed to support students interested in public policy, law, and legislative work. As an intern, you contribute to WCPI’s bipartisan mission by supporting programs that advance women’s leadership and representation in government. Depending on your placement, you may work as a policy intern or a communications/development intern, assisting with legislative research, Capitol Hill policy briefings, fundraising initiatives, and weekly legislative updates. The internship offers direct exposure to how nonprofit policy organizations engage with Congress and shape public discourse. You work closely with WCPI staff in a collaborative environment that emphasizes professional development, inclusion, and mentorship.
6. Collin County District Attorney’s Office Internship Program
Location: Collin County District Attorney’s Office, McKinney, TX
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Multiple sessions offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the session
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students interested in legal or criminal justice careers
The Collin County District Attorney’s Office Internship Program offers direct exposure to the criminal justice system through hands-on involvement within a prosecutorial setting. As an intern, you will work under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys and legal staff and support the preparation and prosecution of cases. Depending on your assignment, you may assist teams handling misdemeanor or felony trials, grand jury proceedings, civil matters, or specialized units such as domestic violence, crimes against children, or human trafficking. The program also allows you to observe courtroom proceedings, giving you insight into trial advocacy and courtroom protocol. Through this experience, you gain a practical understanding of how prosecutorial offices operate and how legal decisions impact communities.
7. Supreme Court Internship Program
Location: Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, DC
Stipend: Paid | academic credit may be arranged through your institution
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Fall and spring: approximately 16 weeks | summer: minimum of 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Typically, February 15 (summer), May 15 (fall), and September 12 (spring)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate study and are enrolled in or returning to a bachelor’s program
The Supreme Court Internship Program offers participants a rare opportunity to gain in-depth exposure to the operations, history, and institutional role of the nation’s highest court. Rather than working on active cases or directly with the justices, you contribute to the court’s daily functioning through administrative, research, and public-facing work. Interns are placed in offices such as the Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice, the Curator’s Office, the Public Information Office, the Clerk’s Office, the Marshal’s Office, or the Supreme Court Police Department. Depending on your placement, your work may include background research, drafting correspondence, assisting with public inquiries, supporting visitor programs, and managing official records. You also have access to enrichment opportunities such as attending Court sessions and participating in seminars led by Supreme Court Fellows.
8. Chapman and Cutler LLP Pre-Law Opportunities (LFAI & FLDP)
Location: Chapman and Cutler LLP, multiple U.S. office locations
Stipend: Paid internships and salaried positions
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Summer programs
Application Deadline: Summer programs typically open in the spring
Eligibility: College students and recent graduates
Chapman and Cutler LLP offers structured pre-law opportunities designed to help participants explore legal careers while reducing common barriers to entry. Through programs such as the Law Firm Administrative Intern Program (LFAI) and the Finance Law Development Program (FLDP), you gain exposure to both the legal and operational functions of a large law firm. The FLDP provides salaried, full-time roles for recent graduates who want meaningful, real-world experience before committing to law school, making it especially valuable if you are still evaluating a JD or related pathway. Summer internships focus on finance law or law firm administration and begin with a formal orientation to core legal and financial concepts. You then work on substantive project work supporting attorneys, finance professionals, and firm leadership.
9. American Bar Association – Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Undergraduate Internship
Location: Remote (subject to change)
Stipend: Unpaid | academic credit may be arranged through your institution
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Fall, spring, and summer sessions offered annually
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the term | fall deadline typically in late July
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates
The ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Undergraduate Internship offers participants the opportunity to engage directly with national civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights work. As an intern, you will work with section staff on policy development, advocacy initiatives, and ongoing projects addressing issues such as voting rights, equality, disability rights, privacy, and immigrant rights. Your responsibilities may include legal and legislative research, monitoring policy developments, attending congressional hearings, Supreme Court arguments, and participating in coalition meetings related to civil rights issues. You also contribute written reports, assist with newsletter content, and support the section’s digital outreach across multiple social media platforms. Interns may pursue an independent project aligned with section priorities, allowing you to explore a specific issue in greater depth.
10. Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) Summer Internship Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Limited stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: June 1 - July 31
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates, graduate students, and law students
The CERL Summer Internship Program is a nine-week, research-intensive opportunity focused on the intersection of law, ethics, and national security. As an intern, you work in collaborative teams under the guidance of CERL leadership, contributing to research and writing on rule-of-law and democratic governance issues. Your responsibilities may include preparing policy briefings, assisting with academic publications, and publishing original content for CERL’s blog, The Rule of Law Post. Interns also play an active role in planning CERL conferences, workshops, and public programs, offering insight into how legal research informs real-world policy discussions. Throughout the program, you engage with leading scholars, policymakers, and national security practitioners through structured conversations and events.
11. USC Joint Educational Project (JEP) – Pre-Law Project
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate | stipend not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Semester-long placements (typically 8 - 10 weeks per term)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the semester | students must apply during the first two weeks of the USC semester
Eligibility: Open to all USC undergraduate students, regardless of major or class year
The USC Joint Educational Project Pre-Law Project is a competitive, structured internship program designed to help participants explore legal careers before committing to law school. Through partnerships with public interest law firms and civil rights organizations, you are placed in real legal internships that vary in time commitment and focus. In addition to your internship, you will complete a curriculum that encourages you to critically evaluate whether a legal career aligns with your interests and values. You gain exposure to legal advocacy, client-centered work, and community-focused law while building practical experience in a professional environment. The program also supports your long-term goals by guiding you through the development of personal statements and potential letters of recommendation.
12. Northeast Legal Aid Internship Program
Location: Northeast Legal Aid offices in Lynn, Lawrence, and Lowell, MA
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Offered year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter terms)
Application Deadline: Rolling applications accepted throughout the year | summer recruitment typically runs January - May
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and law students
The Northeast Legal Aid Internship Program gives participants hands-on exposure to client-centered, holistic legal advocacy serving low-income and elderly communities. As an intern, you are placed within a specific practice unit based on your interests and office needs, with opportunities in areas such as housing, employment, family law, public benefits, consumer protection, elder law, and immigration. Your work may include client intakes, gathering facts, performing legal research and writing, and case management under the supervision of experienced attorneys. You also gain exposure to courtroom proceedings through court observation and, in some cases, direct appearances if you meet certification requirements. Summer interns participate in a structured cohort experience that includes orientation, learning lunches, and group meetings that support professional development.
13. Undergraduate Internship – Legal Aid DC
Location: Legal Aid DC, Washington, DC (hybrid format)
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Summer term
Application Deadline: Rolling until positions are filled
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and law students
The Legal Aid DC Undergraduate Internship offers participants direct exposure to civil legal practice in a public interest setting. During the internship, you are placed within a practice unit such as housing, family law, public benefits, consumer law, immigration, or appellate advocacy, depending on your interests and organizational needs. You will support attorneys with tasks such as client intake and interviewing, legal research, document drafting, and case file organization. The program also provides opportunities to observe hearings and court proceedings, giving you insight into how civil cases progress through the legal system. Working in a hybrid format, you gain experience in both in-person and remote legal advocacy.
14. New York County District Attorney’s Office (Manhattan DA) – College Internship Program
Location: New York County District Attorney’s Office, Manhattan, NY (in-person)
Stipend: Paid for summer interns ($560 per week) | semester internships offer academic credit and/or hourly compensation depending on school eligibility
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Based on available positions
Dates: Summer program runs for 9 weeks beginning in early June | semester internships available in fall and spring
Application Deadline: Summer applications typically accepted January 15 - February 1 | semester deadlines vary depending on the term
Eligibility: Current college students who have completed at least one year of college | summer applicants must be current sophomores or juniors
The Manhattan DA College Internship Program provides firsthand exposure to the criminal justice system by placing interns within one of the nation’s largest and most prominent prosecutors’ offices. As an intern, you work closely with assistant district attorneys and professional staff on active criminal cases, victim services, investigations, and policy-related projects. Your responsibilities may include assisting with investigations, observing hearings and trials, conducting legal and non-legal research, and analyzing documents or pending legislation. Summer interns participate in a structured full-time program that includes lectures by senior ADAs, mock appellate arguments, case studies, and community outreach activities. Semester interns balance part-time in-person work with academic commitments while gaining consistent exposure to prosecutorial work.
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