12 Law Internships for High School Students in Texas
If you're a high schooler based in Texas and interested in law, government, or social justice, an internship can help you explore these fields while gaining practical experience.
Across the state, law firms, courts, nonprofits, and universities offer programs tailored to high school students. These internships may involve case research, policy work, court observations, or community advocacy. Some also pair students with legal professionals for mentorship.
Many of these opportunities are free, and a few include stipends or formal training. To help you get started, we’ve listed 12 law internships in Texas—featuring both in-person and virtual options—all with a strong legal or public policy component.
1. Dallas Bar Association Summer Law Intern Program
Location: Various locations across Dallas, TX
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – July 3 | Session 2: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school juniors in Dallas ISD with an academic average of 85+ and at most 10 absences
Stipend: Paid (Stipend varies by placement)
The Dallas Bar Association’s Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) provides a structured internship opportunity for high school juniors in Dallas, connecting students with law firms, corporate legal departments, or non-profit organizations. Over 4 to 8 weeks, you will assist with admin tasks, observe legal professionals, and complete a Summer Learning curriculum that introduces them to law firm expectations. The program also includes educational events and a formal closing reception to help interns build confidence and professional networks.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is a highly selective virtual program that pairs ambitious students with fast-growing startups across industries like legal tech, policy, consulting, and more. Most participating startups have raised over $1 million, offering interns serious exposure to fast-paced, high-impact environments. Over 8-12 weeks, you will take on real-world projects such as legal research, market analysis, or strategic planning—all under the mentorship of a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. You will be expected to work 10-20 hours a week and wrap up the experience by presenting your work directly to the company. It’s one of the few law internships for high school students that blends entrepreneurial experience with applied legal insight in a fully remote format.
3. Communities in Schools (CIS) of Houston – Summer Legal Internship Program
Location: Remote
Dates: Available year-round; start anytime
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; Must have relevant experience in marketing, communications, journalism, political science, sociology, or African studies
Cost: Starting at $1,099
During this virtual internship, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with an NGO dedicated to providing legal support on human rights issues to underserved communities. Additionally, you may work with a law firm specializing in areas such as criminal law, civil law, family law, labor and employment law, commercial law, or inheritance law. You will gain valuable insight into court proceedings and learn how to prepare for court hearings, all under the supervision of an experienced lawyer. This internship offers a practical learning experience while working remotely.
4. Intern Abroad HQ – Remote Legal Support for Human Rights Advocacy Internships
Location: Remote
Dates: Available year-round; start anytime
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; Must have relevant experience in marketing, communications, journalism, political science, sociology, or African studies
Cost: Starting at $1,099
During this virtual internship, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with an NGO dedicated to providing legal support on human rights issues to underserved communities. Additionally, you may work with a law firm specializing in areas such as criminal law, civil law, family law, labor and employment law, commercial law, or inheritance law. You will gain valuable insight into court proceedings and learn how to prepare for court hearings, all under the supervision of an experienced lawyer. This internship offers a practical learning experience while working remotely.
5. Rice University Law Pre-College Program
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple 2-4 week sessions available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students aged 13+
Cost: $1,495; Need-based scholarships available
While not technically a law internship program, this virtual, self-paced course will give you the chance to explore legal reasoning through hands-on, structured lessons and a capstone project. You will learn about justice systems, civil rights, and the broader role of law in shaping society, and might even benefit from mentorship and feedback. The course ends with a project that challenges you to propose real-world legal solutions. You’ll also earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice, which adds credibility to your college applications.
5. Summer Legal Academy – Harris County Attorney’s Office
Location: The Harris County Attorney’s Office
Dates: July 14 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 from Harris County
Stipend: $15/hour
Hosted by the civil legal office of Harris County, this two-week program offers law internships for high school students that combine academic learning with real-world legal exposure. As a participant, you will attend lectures, complete legal writing exercises, and participate in mock law school sessions. You’ll also attend seminars and discussions led by guest attorneys and speakers who will introduce you to career paths in public interest law, litigation, and legal services. The program also includes logic games and LSAT-style reasoning practice.
6. LSPI High School Law Camp – University of Texas at El Paso
Location: UTEP campus
Dates: June 3 – June 14
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates
Cost: Free
This two-week residential camp introduces high school students to legal thinking, case analysis, and trial work. It also includes field trips, legal writing exercises, and a mock trial. As a participant, you will get practical tips on college prep and law school readiness. Activities are led by law faculty, legal professionals, and mock court trainers. It’s an ideal program for those considering public service or litigation.
7. Rising Scholars Program – SMU Dedman School of Law
Location: SMU Law Campus
Dates: June 3 – June 7
Application Deadline: April 12
Eligibility: Current juniors with a GPA of 3.0+ and 10 or fewer absences
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
This one-week residential program is built for high-achieving juniors from underrepresented communities. As a participant, you will attend law-themed classes, participate in public speaking workshops, and compete in a moot court. The experience includes networking with SMU faculty and legal professionals. Legal career tracks covered include public interest, corporate law, and judiciary paths. Only 22 students are accepted, making it a relatively selective program. While technically not a law internship for high school students, it still provides hands-on and relevant experience.
8. High School Pre-Law Academy – Stephen F. Austin State University
Location: Nacogdoches, TX
Dates: June 15 – 21
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, or seniors
Cost: $800 + $25 fee; Scholarships available
Stephen F. Austin State University’s week-long academy introduces students to trial procedures, criminal law, and courtroom strategy. As a participant, you will attend panel discussions with state judges and prosecutors and prepare for a full mock trial by the end of the week. You’ll also get to explore simulated crime scenes and learn how to evaluate forensic evidence. Though this program isn’t an internship, it comes with many of the benefits internships have to offer, blending practical training with college-style lectures.
9. Envision Virtual Law and Trial Program
Location: Virtual
Dates: July 18 – 30
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18
Cost: Approx. $2,495
This intensive 10-day experience offers high school students a courtroom simulation built around lectures from Stanford Law School faculty. During the program, you will learn legal research, argumentation, and how to build a trial case from scratch. It finally ends in a live mock trial, where you and your peers will take on roles like prosecutor, defence, and witness. It’s rigorous but rewarding for those curious about advocacy or litigation.
10. Collin County Law Group High School Internship
Location: Allen, TX
Dates:
Fall: September – November
Spring: January – April
Summer: June – August
Application Deadline:
Fall: August 1
Spring: November 30
Summer: April 30
Application Deadline: Current high school seniors, undergraduates, and law students
Eligibility: High school students globally
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
This internship offers high school seniors the rare chance to gain real-world experience inside one of the largest criminal and family law firms in Collin County, Texas. As an intern, you will shadow professionals across multiple departments, including criminal defence, family law, paralegal support, and legal administration. The program is designed to offer extensive legal exposure through hands-on work and direct mentorship from legal experts with over 100 years of combined experience. Internship terms are available across all seasons, and students may also combine fall and spring for a longer, school-year format.
12. Peña Aleczander Summer Internship Program
Location: Peña Aleczander, McAllen, TX
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school, college, and law school students
Cost/Stipend: None
The Peña Aleczander law firm in McAllen, TX, offers a summer internship that allows students to explore legal practice across areas such as catastrophic injury, commercial litigation, white-collar defence, and business counsel. As an intern, you will work closely with attorneys and get exposure to real legal proceedings, including depositions, mediations, client meetings, and even trials. You’ll be involved in legal research, office coordination, and case preparation, offering a rounded perspective of litigation from start to finish. While the program is unpaid, the experience provides valuable insight into how civil and criminal legal matters unfold in Texas. It’s one of the few law internships for high school students that blends direct courtroom exposure with practical research and admin tasks.