10 Law Internships for High School Students in Florida

If you're thinking about a future in law, a high school internship can be a smart way to explore the field early. Legal internships help you understand how courtrooms work, what lawyers actually do, and how public service plays a role in the justice system. You’ll build skills like research, public speaking, and critical thinking, all while seeing if a legal career feels right for you. Some programs even offer stipends, letting you earn while you learn.

For students in Florida, there are several standout programs that combine academic learning with hands-on experience. Many are hosted by respected universities, law firms, or nonprofits, giving you access to real professionals and mentors. We’ve reviewed dozens of opportunities to bring you 12 of the best law internships for high school students in Florida.

1. Law Office of the Public Defender, Broward County, Summer Justice Internship Program

Location: Broward County Judicial Complex, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cost: Free; stipend of $25/hour is offered in a state position
Program dates: June 16–27
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores who attend a high school located in Broward County

For those curious about how the legal system functions from the defense side, the Law Office of the Public Defender in Broward County runs a two-week Summer Justice Internship Program that gives you a close-up view of public defense work. As an intern, you'll spend time shadowing attorneys, sitting in on live court proceedings, and engaging in discussions with public defenders and other legal professionals. You'll also conduct case research and learn how legal strategies are built to protect the rights of the accused. The program is designed to show you how public defenders navigate legal challenges, from intake through trial. It concludes with a mock trial exercise, where you'll apply what you've learned in a simulated courtroom setting.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid is available)
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter)
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November). 
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks.

Ladder Internships is a competitive, virtual program connecting high school students with fast-growing start-ups for meaningful, project-based internships. Interns are matched with companies across diverse sectors, including law, technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting.The program spans approximately eight weeks and includes mentorship from experienced professionals and support from a dedicated Ladder Coach. Within the legal field, the program features law-focused placements tailored for students interested in careers in litigation, corporate law, or public policy.

3. Miami-Dade State Attorney High School Volunteer Internship Program

Location: Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office
Cost: Free
Program dates: Three months minimum
Application deadline: Unspecified 
Eligibility: Open to all high school students

The Miami-Dade State Attorney High School Volunteer Internship Program offers a structured opportunity for high school students to explore criminal justice from prosecutorial offices. As a volunteer intern in Florida, you’ll start with a training period before transitioning into responsibilities, such as assisting the public with criminal and civil inquiries, helping with victim interviews, reviewing case evidence, and attending bond hearings. You'll be assigned to units such as Criminal Intake, Domestic Violence, or Victim/Witness, depending on availability and need. Expect to engage with casework from the filing stage through evidence evaluation, and possibly even conduct legal research or help prepare injunctions for protection. 

4. US Department of Justice (DOJ) Pathways Internship Program

Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Cost: Free; stipend varies by intern's education level, the specific position, and the duration of the internship.
Program dates and application deadline: Varies depending on position  
Eligibility: Open to students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited school; at least 16 years old; minimum GPA 2.0 

The U.S. DOJ Pathways Internship Program gives you the chance to work within the federal government while still in high school, providing paid or unpaid placements depending on the agency and role. As an intern, you could be assigned to offices like the Office of the Attorney General or the Office of Legal Policy, where you’ll learn  how federal agencies operate and how legal and policy decisions are made and implemented. You’ll also gain insights into government law offices while developing workplace skills in a professional legal environment.

5. Jimerson Birr's School Internships

Location: Jimerson Birr office, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: Free; stipend amount unspecified 
Program dates: 4-6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Applications typically close in the spring
Eligibility: Open to all high school students 
Cohort size: Approximately 40 students per class

Jimerson Birr’s High School Summer Internship Program allows students to explore the legal profession within a business law setting while also gaining exposure to related fields like marketing, IT, and accounting. Over the course of 4 to 6 weeks, you’ll collaborate with professionals across multiple departments. Depending on your interests, you might assist with legal research, support marketing initiatives, help manage internal communications, or contribute to administrative and tech-related operations. The law internship for high school students in Florida is designed to strengthen your understanding of how a law firm functions beyond just the legal work, providing insight into business administration and client service as well. 

6. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: starts at $2,990 (financial aid available)
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Current high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4).

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an academic research experience designed for high school students through one-on-one mentorship. Participants are matched with Ph.D. mentors who guide them through the process of developing an independent research project over the course of 12 weeks. While not an internship, the program offers students a unique opportunity to engage in original research and produce a formal research paper by the end of the program. For students with an interest in law, Lumiere provides research opportunities in areas such as public policy, international relations, and political science—fields closely tied to the legal profession. 

7. University of Miami Summer Scholars Program: Law: Litigation and the Legal Profession

Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: Residential Program: $9,532 | Commuter Program: $8,144 
Program dates: June 30–July 17
Application deadline: December 1–March 1
Eligibility: Students who completed grades 10 or 11 in high school; minimum GPA 3.0. International applicants must have a F-1 student visa.

The University of Miami’s Summer Scholars Program is a three-week college-level experience that explores both courtroom practice and the ethics of being a lawyer. You’ll take two credit-bearing courses–Courtroom 101: Litigation Basics and Introduction to the Legal Profession–designed to build foundational skills in legal reasoning, trial advocacy, and professional responsibility. Both classes combine lectures, discussions, and exercises to sharpen your ability to think like a lawyer. This program also gives you the chance to earn 6 credit hours and work with university faculty in an academic setting.

8. USF Summer Camps - JGHC: Mock Trial Intensive

Location: USF Sarasota/Manatee
Cost: $695
Program dates: July 27–August 2
Application deadline: Applications open February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 are eligible to apply
Cohort size: 32 students

While not structured as a traditional law internship, the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College Mock Trial Intensive provides an introduction to trial law for high school students interested in the legal field. For a week, you’ll work with attorney Maria Gerber and collegiate mock trial competitors to learn how to structure opening statements, conduct cross-examinations, and deliver closing arguments. The program centers on preparing a full mock trial based on a major historical criminal case, revealed on the first day, which you will research, analyze, and argue in a courtroom setting at Stetson Law School. You'll also engage in daily skill-building exercises designed to strengthen your critical thinking, public speaking, and legal reasoning. 

9. Stetson Young Scholars Pre-Law Camps

Location: Stetson University, DeLand, FL
Cost: $1,000 (includes a $100 non-refundable registration fee); need-based scholarships available.
Program dates: Mock Trial Camp: July 7–11 | Mock Trial Camp: July 21–25 | Moot Court Camp: July 14–18
Application deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: Open to high school students residing in the U.S. 
Cohort size: 15 students per Camp

The Stetson Young Scholars Pre-Law Camps offer two academic sessions–Mock Trial and Moot Court–that give you an introduction to courtroom practice and legal reasoning. In the Mock Trial camp, you’ll explore either civil or criminal procedure, learning how to navigate pre-trial discovery, file motions, and interpret stipulations while applying the Federal Rules of Evidence. You’ll work in small teams to build and present cases, crafting openings, performing direct and cross-examinations, and delivering closing arguments before actual judges. The Moot Court session simulates appellate court arguments, where you’ll analyze a fictional case, write briefs, and present oral arguments on both sides of a complex legal issue. You will collaborate with experienced attorneys, retired legal professionals, and members of the nationally ranked Stetson Mock Trial Team.

10. FAU's Criminal Justice Summer Camp

Location: FAU Campus, Boca Raton, FL
Cost: $900
Program dates: Session 1: June 8–13 | Session 2: July 20–25
Application deadline: Applications typically close in Spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 to 12 in the coming fall are eligible to apply.
Cohort size: 25 students

At Florida Atlantic University’s Criminal Justice Summer Camp, you’ll learn how to process crime scenes, engage with forensic methods, and observe live demonstrations from bomb squads, K-9 units, and SWAT teams. The program also includes visits to law enforcement agencies and the Medical Examiner’s Office, giving you exposure to criminal justice environments. Discussions cover topics like the court system and FBI procedures. With a cap of just 25 students per session, you'll have the opportunity to engage with criminal justice professionals and peers who share your interests. The program concludes with a Certificate of Completion, which can be listed on your resume or used in college applications to highlight your experience in law.