12 Law Internships for High School Students in Chicago, Illinois
Internships are a great way for high school students to gain experience, build practical skills, and connect with professionals in their field of interest. For students interested in law, internships offer a great opportunity to observe the legal system up close, engage in projects, and develop critical thinking and communication skills that are essential for future careers.
Many top colleges and organizations provide law internships for high school students that not only deepen your understanding of the field but also sometimes offer stipends, making these opportunities more accessible and rewarding. If you’re a student in Chicago, Illinois, looking to explore the legal profession, internships can provide a valuable stepping stone by exposing you to real-world challenges and networking opportunities.
To help you find the best fit, we’ve curated a list of the top 12 law internships for high school students in Chicago, Illinois. Whether you’re curious about courtroom procedures, legal research, or advocacy work, this list will guide you toward internships that can help you explore your interests effectively.
1. Hall-Jackson & Associates Internships
Location: Hall-Jackson & Associates, Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: Varies based on placement
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students
At Hall-Jackson & Associates, high school students can take part in a legal internship based in the Chicago Loop, where they're expected to engage in legal tasks alongside professionals. You will contribute to preparing legal documents such as complaints, motions, and discovery requests, and take part in organizing case files by gathering and summarizing evidence and reports. The internship also includes conducting legal research, allowing you to explore statutes, court opinions, and regulations to support ongoing cases. Interns from high school through law school have participated in this program, often gaining not just practical experience but also mentorship and, in some cases, school credit. The experience is designed to give you a clear look at legal processes and help you understand what working in a law firm entails.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies based on program type
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a competitive program designed for motivated high school students seeking experience with rapidly growing start-ups. Participants have the opportunity to intern with companies across diverse fields, including technology, artificial intelligence, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Among these, there are also start-ups focused on legal technology and law-related services, giving students a chance to explore the intersection of law and innovation. These start-ups typically have secured significant funding, often exceeding one million dollars, and interns collaborate closely with their managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach on meaningful projects. Throughout the internship, you will gain practical skills by contributing to real company work and presenting your results to the team. The program runs virtually and usually lasts about eight weeks. Here is the application form.
3. Mikva Summer Fellows Program
Location: Various offices across Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: 6 weeks between June and August
Application deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: Open to Chicago students between the ages of 16 and 22 by July 1
Mikva Challenge Summer Fellows is a six-week paid internship that places you in the office of a city, county, state, or federal official in Chicago, working about 30 hours a week between June and August. Fellows are directly involved in day-to-day public service work, gaining insight into how local and state governments function and how policy decisions are made. In addition to your placement, you will attend weekly workshops focused on leadership development, goal setting, community engagement, and professional skills. This law internship for high school students pays $17 per hour through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services Youth Investment Program.
4. Saper Law Immersion Program
Location: Saper Law Offices, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: $875 (need-based scholarships are available)
Program dates: August 4–8
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to both high school and college students
The Saper Law Immersion Program is a week-long experience designed to introduce you to the legal field through a mix of activities, lectures, and field trips, all based at Saper Law Offices in Chicago. You will get to participate in mock trials, negotiation simulations, and legal writing exercises, many of which focus on topics related to digital media, entertainment, and Internet law. The law internship for high school students also includes visits to courts and legal workplaces, where you'll observe legal professionals in action and gain exposure to different legal environments. Alongside the practical work, interns also attend lectures by guest speakers ranging from corporate counsel to government attorneys and civil rights lawyers. Time is also dedicated to developing your personal statement and practicing LSAT-style questions, which can be helpful if you're thinking about law school down the line. The curriculum is taught by Daliah Saper, the firm’s principal attorney, along with other Saper Law staff and visiting professionals.
5. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations across Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None. Some internship positions offer a stipend
Program dates: Nine months in the school year
Application deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Open to Chicago high school seniors who are on track to graduate with a minimum of 2.0 GPA
If you're looking for a more immersive experience that combines paid work with long-term career development, the Urban Alliance High School Internship Program might be a strong fit. This nine-month program involves both part-time internships during the school year and full-time work in the summer, with placements that can include legal offices, nonprofits, and corporate settings. Before you start this law internship for high school students, you will complete several weeks of professional skills training, followed by weekly workshops that cover topics like workplace communication, time management, and post-secondary planning. You’ll also be paired with both a workplace mentor and an Urban Alliance Program Lead who provide one-on-one support throughout the program. Interns work up to 12 hours a week during the school year and up to 32 hours per week over the summer, earning hourly wages while gaining exposure to professional environments.
6. CAIR-Chicago Internship
Location: Various locations across Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: Winter-Spring: January 1–May 15 | Summer: May 15–August 31 | Fall: September 1–December 31
Application deadline: Winter-Spring: December 1 | Summer: April 15 | Fall: August 1
Eligibility: Open to Chicago high school students
For motivated high school students interested in civil rights and legal advocacy, the CAIR-Chicago Internship Program provides exposure to public interest law and grassroots activism. You can apply to intern for at least eight weeks as a high school student, committing a minimum of 10 hours per week to work alongside staff on issues related to civil liberties, discrimination, and public policy. During your time with CAIR-Chicago, you may assist in research, draft case summaries, observe legal intakes, and support campaigns that address topics like anti-Muslim bias, First Amendment rights, and civic engagement. The law internship for high school students can also count toward community service hours, and you’ll gain insight into how civil rights organizations engage with legal processes, media, and local communities.
7. CBF Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP)
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Cost: $3,600
Program dates: 18 months
Application deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Open to high school and undergraduate students
The Chicago Bar Foundation Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP) is a Chicago-based initiative that focuses on helping lawyers build socially conscious practices that expand access to affordable legal services. While primarily geared toward early-career attorneys, the program occasionally involves high school interns in support roles that expose you to the practical side of legal service innovation. You may assist with research, administrative tasks, or outreach efforts tied to legal topics like housing, immigration, or small business law. The JEP emphasizes client-friendly approaches such as fixed-fee pricing, limited-scope representation, and the use of legal technology. You will also have the chance to observe how lawyers adapt traditional legal practice to better serve individuals and communities often overlooked by the mainstream legal system.
8. Illinois Tech Summer Legal Academy
Location: Mies Campus, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Overnight: $1,500 | Daytime: $650
Program dates: July 28–August 1
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders (students must be at least 15 years old to participate in the residential experience)
The Illinois Tech Summer Legal Academy is a five-day program aimed at high school students in Chicago who want to explore how the legal system works and how it connects to civic life. Throughout the week, you will be involved in interactive workshops that cover topics such as governance, individual rights, and the justice system, while building skills in public speaking, critical reading, and persuasive writing. A core part of the experience includes analyzing short legal case opinions and discussing how they relate to issues in democracy today. You will also participate in mock trials and oral arguments, giving you a chance to understand courtroom procedures and legal reasoning. The program further includes visits to Chicago-Kent College of Law and key government institutions.
9. Summer Legal Institute
Location: Available in different locations, including Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: April 5
Program dates: Chicago, Illinois: July 21 – 25, 2025
Eligibility: High school students
The Summer Legal Institute (SLI) is a five-day program that provides high school students the opportunity to explore the field of law in depth. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in interactive sessions that strengthen key skills like critical thinking, public speaking, and professional etiquette. With guidance from attorney volunteers at top law firms and corporations, you’ll explore real legal cases, join debates, and practice negotiation exercises. These activities not only introduce you to the legal field but also help you build connections with professionals who may offer mentorship, internship leads, or scholarship opportunities.
10. JTB’s ConnectED
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: August 4 – 8
Application deadline: June 30
Eligibility: High school students interested in the legal field
JTB’s ConnectED is an online program designed to give high school students an inside look at the legal profession. Over the course of the program, you’ll hear directly from federal judges, take part in virtual court tours, explore timely legal issues, and develop practical skills through interactive workshops. In addition to live sessions, you’ll be expected to complete pre-recorded modules and join small group discussions to deepen your understanding and engagement. The program wraps up with a final project focused on social justice, giving you the chance to apply what you've learned to practical issues.
11. Pasquines High School Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: High school students
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Program dates: Indefinite terms throughout the year
Pasquines offers virtual internships for high school students curious about journalism, government, and U.S. territorial policy. As an intern, you'll research and write stories focused on political developments and public policy in regions like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You’ll work alongside peers and professionals who share an interest in civic engagement and reporting, gaining experience in news writing, editing, and publishing for digital platforms. This is a strong opportunity to build skills in political journalism while exploring topics often underrepresented in national conversations.
12. World Scholars Academy Law Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to the class
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 years
Application deadline: Depends on the sessions
Program dates: Every Saturday or Sunday for 4 weeks
The World Scholars Academy Law Internship offers high school students the chance to explore legal topics such as political economy, antitrust policy, jurisprudence, and free speech. Through guided discussions and analysis, you’ll gain an understanding of how legal systems operate and the issues that shape them. As part of the program, you’ll collaborate with a legal scholar to research and co-author an academic paper on a legal subject of your choosing. You’ll develop skills in legal research, critical reading, and scholarly writing, with the goal of submitting your paper to the *World Scholars Review* or another legal journal.
Bonus! Here are a few summer programs you can consider if you’re interested in law: