Top 12 Corporate Law Internships for High School Students

If you're a high school student interested in exploring a legal career, consider participating in a law internship, as they are a practical way to gain early exposure to the field. Whether it's assisting with legal research, learning about contracts, or observing how businesses navigate corporate regulations, law internships for high school students give you a closer look at what a career in law involves. Some programs even offer opportunities to engage with real-world cases, collaborate with attorneys, and attend workshops on legal processes.

Corporate law internships, in particular, are a great fit if you're curious about how businesses operate within legal frameworks. These experiences can help you understand areas like mergers, compliance, intellectual property, and more. Plus, corporate law internships for high school students often come with valuable perks like mentorship, networking with professionals, and sometimes even stipends that make participation more accessible.

Adding a corporate law internship to your resume shows initiative and helps you stand out in college applications. To help you find the right opportunity, we’ve created a list of 12 top corporate law internships for high school students, featuring hands-on experiences, expert guidance, and real exposure to the world of business law.

1. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP)

Location: Various firms across New York City
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: 6-8 weeks from March to August
Application Deadline: November 25 – January 13
Eligibility: NYC public high school students 
Stipend: Paid; $16-$22 per hour

The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP) offers law internships for high school students interested in working with legal employers, including law firms and corporations. As an intern, you will assist with tasks such as organizing documents, maintaining records, filing paperwork, and supporting paralegals in daily operations. The program also includes professional development workshops, panel discussions, and networking events designed to help you explore career paths in law.

Beyond hands-on work, TMSLIP emphasizes career readiness and mentorship, offering a comprehensive introduction to the legal field through employer-sponsored training sessions. This is a paid opportunity, making it an accessible option if you are looking to gain real-world experience in corporate and related areas of law.

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12), undergraduates, and gap-year students; Must commit to 10-20 hours per week
Cost: Starting at $2,490; Financial assistance available

Ladder Internships provides a flexible, remote internship experience for high school students interested in exploring industries such as corporate law, business strategy, and legal consulting through partnerships with early-stage startups. As an intern, you’ll be paired with a company where you'll work on projects involving market research, compliance documentation, competitive analysis, or business operations with legal implications.

You will receive weekly guidance from both your startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach, who supports your professional growth through structured mentorship and skill-building sessions. The program culminates in a final presentation, where you'll showcase your project and create a portfolio-ready deliverable that demonstrates your applied skills.

3. Jimerson Birr High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Jimerson Birr, Jacksonville
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: 4-6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically in spring
Eligibility: High school students who can work at the Jimerson Birr office in Florida
Stipend: Unpaid

The Jimerson Birr High School Summer Internship Program offers hands-on law internships for high school students interested in gaining experience at a full-service business law firm that specializes in corporate and commercial litigation. As an intern, you will work closely with professionals in legal services, marketing, communications, accounting, and IT, gaining exposure to the operational side of a law firm. Typical tasks include drafting legal documents, conducting research, supporting administrative work, and assisting with internal projects.

You will also have the chance to attend client meetings and observe court proceedings, providing valuable insights into the practice of business and corporate law. This program is designed to develop your professional skills while offering a well-rounded introduction to careers in the legal and corporate sectors.

4. Dallas Bar Association Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP)

Location: Various firms and organizations across Dallas, TX
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: Session 1: June 9 – July 4; Session 2: July 7 – August 1; Full Session: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Dallas ISD high school juniors with a minimum academic average of 85 and no more than 10 absences
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend

The Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) is a partnership between the Dallas Bar Association and the Dallas Independent School District, designed to provide law internships for high school students looking for meaningful legal work experience. As an intern, you will be placed with a law firm, non-profit organization, or corporate legal department in the Dallas metro area, gaining practical exposure to the legal field.

Beyond day-to-day office work, the program offers lectures, courthouse tours, and visits to college campuses, helping you build self-confidence and professionalism. The Dallas Bar Association encourages applications from students involved in mock trials, debates, and history competitions, as well as those who are Spanish speakers. 

5. Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP)

Location: Various law firms across Atlanta, GA
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Program Dates: May 28 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors (grades 11-12); Must pass an in-person interview; Students outside Atlanta Metro can apply, but should consider commute times
Stipend: Paid; Amount varies by placement

The Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) is an 8-week paid internship for high school students interested in gaining firsthand legal experience. The program offers law internships for high school students at various law firms and legal organizations across the Atlanta Metro area. Since 1993, the program has successfully placed over 940 students in paid positions, helping them build valuable connections with attorneys and legal professionals.

This is a rigorous and intensive program, requiring a strong commitment to both professional responsibilities and personal growth. You will gain insights into daily legal operations, participate in workplace projects, and develop essential workplace skills. The Atlanta Bar SLIP offers a unique opportunity for students to explore potential careers in corporate and business law while gaining meaningful professional experience.

6. McDivitt Law Firm’s High School Internship

Location: McDivitt Law Firm, Colorado Springs, CO
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; Admits one high school student and one college student per year
Program Dates: Schedule to be confirmed; Check the firm’s website for updates
Application Deadline: May 1 – 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Stipend: None

The McDivitt Law Firm’s High School Internship is a competitive summer program offering hands-on experience in a professional legal environment. As an intern, you’ll begin with a comprehensive training session to familiarize yourself with the firm’s operations, rules, and expectations. Following this, you’ll work closely with paralegals, case managers, and attorneys, assisting with day-to-day tasks and observing legal workflows.

A unique highlight of this internship is the opportunity to participate in the Colorado Springs Teen Court, where you’ll engage with real juvenile court proceedings. By the program’s end, you will present a final report summarizing your experience and receive a letter of recommendation from the firm, adding a valuable credential to your academic and professional profile.

7. Baltimore Law Links Internship

Location: Law firms across Baltimore, MD
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Program Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools
Stipend: $15 per hour

The Baltimore Law Links Internship, run by the Maryland State Bar Association, offers law internships for high school students in Baltimore City who are looking to gain meaningful experiences in legal workplaces. As an intern, you will be placed with law firms, legal agencies, or corporate legal departments, where you’ll assist with administrative tasks, legal research, and document preparation. The program emphasizes professional skill development, preparing you for future academic and career success. In addition to on-the-job training, you will participate in the Law & Leadership Institute, which includes workshops, guest speaker sessions, and networking opportunities with legal professionals. 

8. Hall-Jackson & Associates Internships

Location: Hall-Jackson & Associates, Chicago, IL
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: Not specified 
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school, college, and law school students
Cost/Stipend: None

The Hall-Jackson & Associates Internship Program offers students the chance to gain practical legal experience at a Chicago-based law firm. As an intern, you’ll be involved in drafting legal documents, assembling case materials, conducting legal research, and assisting with trial preparation. You'll work on essential legal processes, handling trial briefs, subpoenas, discovery requests, motions, and evidence.

Additionally, the program involves studying laws, statutes, constitutions, and court opinions, providing you with a deeper understanding of the legal system. This internship is designed to give students hands-on exposure to the daily work of legal professionals, making it a valuable opportunity for anyone considering a future in corporate or litigation law.

9. Communities in Schools (CIS) of Houston Summer Legal Internship Program

Location: Various legal firms in Houston, TX
Cohort Size: ~20 students
Program Dates: June 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: Tentatively, April
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled at a CIS of Houston-supported school
Stipend: Paid; stipend amount not specified

The CIS of Houston Summer Legal Internship Program offers 8-week paid law internships for high school students interested in a career in law. During the internship, you’ll be able to focus on developing life skills, leadership abilities, and workplace professionalism. You will work in Houston-area law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest agencies, where you will gain firsthand experience in the legal field.

Throughout the program, you will participate in real-world legal tasks, such as assisting with case research, supporting administrative work, and observing legal proceedings. The program also emphasizes professional development and career readiness, helping you build essential skills for your future academic and career paths. This is part of a broader set of opportunities offered by CIS of Houston to support student success.

10. Peña Aleczander Summer Internship Program

Location: Peña Aleczander, McAllen, TX
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Program Dates: Not specified; Contact here
Application Deadline: Not specified; Contact here
Eligibility: High school, college, and law school students
Stipend: None

The Peña Aleczander Summer Internship Program offers high school students practical experience at a Texas-based law firm specializing in catastrophic injury, commercial litigation, white-collar defense, and business counsel. As an intern, you will work directly under attorneys, supporting defense and litigation activities while assisting with office work and legal research.

You’ll also have the opportunity to attend client meetings, depositions, mediations, and trials, observing the legal process from case preparation to courtroom proceedings. This hands-on internship provides a comprehensive overview of how law firms operate, giving you valuable exposure to both the business and litigation sides of corporate law.

11. Evan Guthrie Law Firm’s Internship

Location: Evan Guthrie Law Firm, Charleston, SC
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Program Dates: Flexible, depending on the candidate’s availability
Application Deadline: None; rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school, college, and law school students
Stipend: None

The Evan Guthrie Law Firm Internship offers hands-on law internships for high school students at a Charleston-based firm focusing on estate planning, probate, divorce, personal injury, elder law, special needs law, and prenuptial agreements. As an intern, you’ll assist with legal research, case preparation, and administrative support, gaining exposure to a variety of practice areas.

You may also have opportunities to observe client meetings and legal proceedings, providing valuable insight into the daily operations of a law firm. The internship is designed to offer a well-rounded introduction to legal work in both personal and business law contexts, tailored to your availability through a flexible schedule.

12. Memphis Bar Association Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP)

Location: Various law firms in Memphis, TN (Shelby County area)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: June 2 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Minority high school students in good academic standing; Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors; Must reside in or attend high school in Shelby County, TN; First-time participants only
Stipend: $500 stipend

The Memphis Bar Association Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) provides diverse high school students with the opportunity to experience daily life in legal workplaces, including private law firms, corporate legal departments, and governmental agencies. You will be required to complete 60 work hours over the course of the program, giving you practical exposure to the legal profession.

The program includes a structured selection process with group interviews and a statement of interest, assessing candidates’ academic standing, community involvement, and communication skills. Upon successful completion, you will receive a $500 stipend and participate in a closing ceremony to celebrate your achievements.

Dhruva Bhat

Dhruva Bhat is one of the co-founders of Ladder, and a Harvard College graduate. Dhruva founded Ladder Internships as a DPhil candidate and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, with a vision to bridge the gap between ambitious students and real-world startup experiences.

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