11 Law Internships for High School Students in Connecticut (CT)
If you are a high school student in Connecticut interested in law, an internship in the field can be a smart way to get some firsthand insights into the world of law!
Law internships typically offer you a chance to work in real-world environments, from local law firms and state courts to government offices and nonprofit organizations. As a law intern, you will also find opportunities to get some hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and decide whether a career in law is right for you.
During a law internship, you may get to observe court proceedings, assist with casework, shadow attorneys, or even participate in mock trials. These experiences not only help you build confidence and connections but also add some weight to your college applications.
To help you get started, here is a curated list of 12 law internships for high school students in Connecticut:
1. Connecticut Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Internships
Location: Office of the Attorney General, Hartford, CT
Stipend: Unpaid
Application deadline: Fall: July 19; Spring: October 31; Summer: February 18
Program dates: Not specified, but internships are offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, paralegals, and law and graduate students | Applicants should demonstrate an interest in law, strong writing and research skills, and computer proficiency.
The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General (OAG) High School Internship Program is an opportunity to gain real-world exposure to law and public service. As an intern, you will work alongside attorneys and staff in one of 16 legal divisions, including areas like Consumer Protection, Environment, and Health & Education. This experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at public interest law while helping you strengthen your research, writing, and professional communication skills. Although the internship is unpaid, it is an opportunity to explore legal careers and may count toward school credit through externship arrangements.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,290 | 100% financial aid is offered.
Application deadline: Program cohorts run all year with varying deadlines. The upcoming summer cohort’s applications close on May 25
Program dates: Multiple sessions are scheduled throughout the year. The AI Scholars runs for 10 weeks, and the AI Fellowship program runs for about 12 to 15 weeks.
Eligibility: High school students | To apply to the AI Scholars program, you must demonstrate an interest in artificial intelligence. For the AI Fellowship program, you need to have been an AI Scholar participant or have some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI offers multiple learning opportunities, all of them being developed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni. If applying to the beginner-friendly AI Scholars program, you will get to work with Ph.D. students from top institutions. This program can help you learn about the basics of AI, computer science, data science, and engineering. You can also opt for the advanced program, AI Fellowship, which offers you one-on-one mentorship to help you work on your own unique project. Here, you can choose to work on an interdisciplinary project focusing on the intersection of law and AI. You can check out the past projects here.
3. The Mayor's Youth Employment Program
Location: Various locations in Stamford, CT
Stipend: $16.35/hour
Application deadline: March 31
Acceptance rate: Not specified; priority given to students from marginalized communities
Program dates: June 30 – July 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in Stamford, CT
The Mayor’s Youth Employment Program provides hands-on work experience to high schoolers through internships with local legal offices, nonprofits, or government agencies, where you may assist with case research, administrative support, or community outreach. As a participant, you will receive professional development training on topics like workplace conduct, communication, and time management. This early-career experience is designed to help you build transferable skills and confidence while preparing for college or future employment.
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,490; need-based financial aid available
Application deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by cohort (e.g., Summer – May, Fall – September)
Acceptance rate: Selective; in the past, the program received 700 applications for just 70 spots.
Program dates: Multiple 8–12 week cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Eligibility: High school, gap year, and undergraduate students who will be able to commit 10–20 hours/week
Ladder Internships offers a selective, virtual internship program for ambitious high school students interested in gaining real-world experience with high-growth startups. If you are interested in learning about law, policy, or legal tech, you can request placements with startups focused on providing legal services, legal compliance services, or access to justice. As an intern, you will work on projects that may include legal research, policy analysis, or supporting operations under the mentorship of a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. The experience ends with a final presentation made to your host company.
5. Congressman Jim Himes’ District Office Internship
Location: Bridgeport and Stamford, CT
Stipend: Unpaid; however, need-based stipends are provided
Application deadline: April 18 for the Summer Cohort; TBA for other sessions
Program dates: Spring: January/February – May; Summer I: May – Early July; Summer II: Early July – Aug; Fall: September – December
Eligibility: High school students, college students, and recent graduates
Congressman Jim Himes’ District Office Internship is an opportunity to explore the fields of law, policy, or public service while getting first-hand exposure to the inner workings of a Congressional office. As an intern, you will support constituent casework, conduct policy research, and assist with official correspondence, which are core functions closely tied to legal processes and public administration. If you are considering a career in law or government, this hands-on experience can help you build a solid foundation in advocacy, professionalism, and civic responsibility. You will also get some insights into civic engagement and public service through this program.
6. CBA Law Camp (Connecticut Bar Association)
Location: Hartford, CT
Cost: Free to attend
Application deadline: May 31
Acceptance rate: Limited spots/competitive selection with preference given to underrepresented or underserved students
Program dates: July 7 – 11
Eligibility: High school students in Connecticut
Hosted by the Connecticut Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Law Camp introduces you to the legal profession through direct engagement with attorneys, judges, and court proceedings. It also focuses on helping you work on your critical thinking and legal analysis skills. Here, you will receive training in courtroom procedures, observe real trials, and put your skills to the test in a mock trial competition. The experience can help you explore the key aspects of the legal profession and what it takes to become a lawyer. You will also undergo advocacy training during the program.
7. Ruane Attorneys Internship Program
Location: Regional offices in CT
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Program dates: 12-week internships offered in Fall and Spring sessions
Application Deadline: Fall: July 1, Spring: November 1
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and law students who can work for 10 hours/week during the academic semester
This internship program is an opportunity to sit in on real cases, explore legal procedures, and gain direct insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of attorneys. The internship is designed to help you evaluate a potential future in law while building professional skills through real-world legal problem-solving. You will be expected to commit at least 10 hours per week over the course of 12 weeks. If you want to work in a corporate setting, then this opportunity is worth considering. You will also have access to valuable mentorship and get insights into the inner workings of a law firm during the program
8. Connecticut Judicial Branch Experiential Learning Programs (ELP)
Location: Connecticut courthouses (placement near your school)
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies; typically one student per shadowing position
Program Dates: On-site Job Shadow Program – May 2025; Court Aide Program – Ongoing during the academic year
Application deadline: April 25 (for On-site Job Shadow Program)
Eligibility: High school students in Connecticut
Curious about what it's really like to work inside a courtroom? The Connecticut Judicial Branch offers two ways to explore the legal system up close—virtually and in person. Through the Virtual Job Shadow Program, you will hear directly from judges and court professionals—including a Connecticut Supreme Court justice—about their day-to-day work. Prefer to be on site? The May Job Shadow Day lets you spend a full day with a court employee near your school, giving you a front-row seat to how the justice system runs.
If you are looking for a longer learning experience, you can consider the Court Aide Program, which puts you in an active support role within the courts. Here, you will gain real experience, meet professionals in the field, complete school graduation requirements, and get access to valuable references.
9. Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) Internship Program
Location: Connecticut (in-person, hybrid, or remote options available)
Stipend: Mostly unpaid; small student stipends may be offered to certain interns
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Cohort size: A limited number of positions are open to high school students.
Program dates: Flexible; part-time and full-time roles offered year-round
Eligibility: Law students, undergraduates, and high school students; high school placements considered on a case-by-case basis
The CHRO offers internships that let you dive into real work with a long-established civil rights agency. You could be placed in areas like the Legal Division, Executive Office, or Contract Compliance Unit—depending on your interests and what’s available. In the Contract Compliance Unit, for example, you will take on real-world issues involving equity in state contracts and workplace inclusion. On the other hand, in the Legal Division, you will get insights into how to litigate complaints regarding employment, housing, and public accommodation discrimination. Internships can be remote, in-person, or hybrid, and are designed to be flexible based on your schedule. You don’t need prior legal experience, but you should bring professionalism, curiosity, and strong people skills to the table.
10. Connecticut YMCA Youth and Government – Youth in Law
Location: Hartford, CT
Cost/Stipend: $425 registration fee (includes full conference participation); check with local YMCAs for possible financial assistance
Cohort size: Limited spots available in the Youth in Law track
Program dates: March 6 – 8
Application deadline: December 20
Eligibility: High school students in Connecticut; Youth in Law roles require a separate application during registration
As part of the annual Connecticut YMCA Youth and Government Assembly, the Youth in Law track offers high school students the chance to take on the role of attorneys and participate in mock trial proceedings. Trained and supervised by practicing lawyers, you will prepare and argue cases against your peers, gaining firsthand experience with courtroom procedure and legal reasoning. You can also take on legislative roles in a model state government simulation. The experience can help you understand how bills are debated, passed, and dismissed. It can provide you with a structured yet collaborative environment to develop your public speaking, critical thinking, and advocacy skills.
11. City of New Haven Student Intern Program
Location: New Haven, CT
Stipend: Unpaid
Application deadline: Varies; monitor the City’s website for open positions
Cohort size: Varies; depends on department availability
Program dates: Flexible dates, but the program typically runs during the academic year or summer
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older and live in or near New Haven
If you live in or near New Haven, this internship can be a way to gain direct exposure to municipal legal work. Here, you will be placed with the City’s Corporation Counsel or other departments connected to legal services. You will assist with administrative support, observe government attorneys in action, and explore how law intersects with public policy and city operations. Internship placements vary by year and department needs, but you will get to explore municipal operations. You will also contribute to project work during your internship.