15 Philadelphia Law Internships for Undergraduates

Doing an internship is one of the best ways for college students to get a head start on their careers, as it allows them to step out of the classroom and gain practical experience in a field they care about. You get to work on projects, which helps you pick up new skills to enhance your profile. Having that experience proves to future employers that you know how to apply what you've learned, improving your overall employability odds when it is time to enter the job market.

Why should I do a law internship in college?

Doing a law internship in college is one of the best ways to figure out whether a legal career is right for you and to observe how legal work happens day to day. You can help with tasks like legal research, reviewing documents, or assisting attorneys as they prepare cases. A law internship can strengthen your law school applications since admissions committees like to see students who have explored the field and shown an interest in law. During an internship, you may meet attorneys or supervisors who can later write recommendation letters. Working in a legal office exposes you to different areas of law, from litigation to corporate work or public policy.

Below, we’ve put together a list of 15 legal internships in Philadelphia that are open to undergraduate students.

1. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania – Undergraduate Internship

Location: Philadelphia (Eastern Region) and Pittsburgh (Western Region). Remote or hybrid options may be available, depending on the specific department
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small cohort sizes
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring cohorts
Application Deadline: Generally 3–4 months before the start date
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students

As an undergraduate intern at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania, you will dive into critical civil rights topics like criminal justice reform, voting rights, and immigrants' rights. During the program, your daily activities will include conducting legal intake with community members, researching state policy, drafting advocacy materials, and organizing case files. You directly collaborate with seasoned attorneys on active constitutional challenges specific to Pennsylvania. Ultimately, this experience gives you a practical, ground-level understanding of how a major non-profit operates to defend fundamental rights in the legal and public spheres.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Costs vary depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25% acceptance; 70–100 students per session
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); apply here
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks

The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, fully virtual experience connecting you with fast-growing startups and nonprofits for legal and policy-focused work. If you have an interest in law, you can explore topics like public policy, regulatory research, corporate compliance, and social impact. During the program, your core activities will involve analyzing policy documents, summarizing complex legislation, tracking how new laws affect specific industries, and delivering a final capstone presentation. A unique feature of this internship is its dual-mentorship structure, meaning you are paired with both a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach to receive structured weekly feedback. By the end of your term, you will have developed legal research, problem-solving, and professional communication skills to strengthen your future law school or job applications.

3. Philadelphia Legal, Risk and Compliance Intern- Protiviti

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Hybrid work model)
Stipend: $28–$38/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Summer (June – August); Winter/Spring (January – March)
Application Deadline: Summer: September/October; Winter/Spring: March
Eligibility: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or J.D. students in fields such as pre-law, political science, finance, economics, legal studies, or related disciplines; must be within one year of graduation at the time of the internship; Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

The Legal, Risk, and Compliance Internship at Protiviti places students on consulting teams that help companies manage legal and regulatory risks. As an intern, you may assist with research, review transactions or business processes, and help prepare materials such as reports, process documentation, or control summaries. The work often involves regulatory compliance, risk management, financial crime, and consumer protection. Interns collaborate with team members on client projects across industries such as financial services, healthcare, and technology. Throughout the internship, you also interact with managers and advisors who guide project assignments and provide feedback. The program offers a practical introduction to consulting work related to legal and compliance issues.

4. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) – Summer Internship

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $6,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 8–12 interns
Dates: June 2 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) enrolled at U.S. colleges and legally authorized to work in the U.S.

This internship allows you to work with an organization that involves protecting free speech and civil liberties, especially on college campuses. Interns are based at FIRE’s headquarters in Philadelphia. During the internship, students assist different teams across the organization. Depending on your department, you may help with research, review materials related to student rights cases, or support ongoing advocacy and communications work. The program also includes weekly seminars where staff members discuss topics related to the First Amendment, civil liberties, and FIRE’s work. The internship provides a closer look at how a nonprofit organization works to address free speech issues in higher education while contributing to ongoing projects within the organization.

5. Enviri Corporation Global Compliance and Ethics Internship

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 1–3 interns
Dates: June – August (10-week summer program)
Application Deadline: Mid-to-Late April
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors studying fields such as law, business, risk management, compliance, ethics, public policy, or related disciplines; proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and Power Automate

The Global Compliance and Ethics Internship at Enviri allows you to learn how corporate compliance works inside a multinational environmental services company. As an intern, you’ll support the compliance team with tasks like researching regulations, helping update internal policies, and assisting with training materials related to corporate ethics. You may also help review compliance issues and support internal investigations when needed. During the internship, you’ll see how companies monitor regulations, assess risk, and maintain ethical standards across their operations. It’s a good opportunity to understand how legal and compliance teams help organizations meet their regulatory responsibilities. 

6. Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Director’s Internship – Conviction Integrity Unit Internship

Location: Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 1 intern
Dates: 8–10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Restricted to current undergraduate students at Harvard University in good standing who are able to pass a criminal background check

The Conviction Integrity Unit Internship at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office allows you to assist with the review of past criminal cases handled by the office. The Conviction Integrity Unit examines cases where there may be questions about the original conviction. You will help staff by reviewing case files, reading trial transcripts, and organizing investigative materials related to case reviews. They may also assist attorneys with legal research connected to post-conviction matters. Through this internship, you observe how prosecutors and investigators review older cases and evaluate evidence as part of the unit’s case review process.

7. Pennsylvania Innocence Project – Undergraduate Internship

Location: Philadelphia, PA (Temple University Beasley School of Law)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 5–10 interns per office per cycle
Dates: Summer: Early June – Mid-August (~10 weeks); Fall/Spring: Semester-long (Part-time)
Application Deadline: Summer: January 1; deadlines for academic semesters generally fall 2–3 months before the start date
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in good standing (typically 3.0+ GPA)

In this internship, you will explore the criminal justice system by focusing heavily on the causes and remedies of wrongful convictions. You will review lengthy trial transcripts, summarize complex case files, manage correspondence with incarcerated applicants, and assist with preliminary fact-finding research. What makes this program uniquely valuable is your direct integration into a working legal clinic, allowing you to collaborate on actual innocence claims alongside seasoned attorneys rather than doing basic administrative work. Through these tasks, you will develop sharp critical reading skills, learn to accurately synthesize dense legal information, and greatly improve your professional communication.

8. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Philadelphia District Office Internship

Location: Philadelphia district office, PA / Remote
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 2–5 interns
Dates: Year-round internships (Summer, Fall, and Spring)
Application Deadline: Summer: Late March; Fall: Late July; Spring: Mid-October
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have completed at least their sophomore year and are able to pass a federal security background check

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Philadelphia District Office offers internships for students interested in employment discrimination law and civil rights enforcement. As an intern, you may help staff review discrimination complaints, examine documents and evidence, and assist with research related to ongoing investigations. Interns may also help with intake tasks, such as reviewing correspondence, preparing case files, or assisting investigators who interview individuals seeking to file discrimination charges. Some students work with the Enforcement Unit, and you may also have the opportunity to work with the Hearings Unit and observe administrative hearings handled by EEOC judges.

9. Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia – Undergraduate Internship

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~15–20 students
Dates: Summer: June 1 – August 7; also available for Fall/Spring semesters
Application Deadline: Summer: January/February; Academic Year: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates: Enrolled college students (Pre-Law, Social Work, etc.)

As an undergraduate intern at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, you will explore civil legal aid by tackling topics like housing, family law, public benefits, and consumer rights. During your internship, you will perform initial client intake interviews, conduct basic legal research, assist attorneys with case management, and observe court hearings. You experience both direct individual representation and broader systemic policy advocacy designed to combat poverty. By working directly with low-income residents, you will learn the practical realities of navigating complex legal systems. Ultimately, this role ensures you build critical skills in trauma-informed client interviewing, legal research, case management, and advocacy.

10. Centre for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) Summer Internship Program

Location: Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Limited stipends are offered for students unable to secure external funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 20 interns
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students, graduate students (e.g., Philosophy, Political Science, IR), and Law students (JD or LLM)

The internship at the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) at the University of Pennsylvania gives students the opportunity to work on research related to national security, ethics, and the rule of law. It brings together students who are interested in law, government, and policy. As an intern, you may help research legal and policy questions, assist with writing projects, and support the center’s conferences or public events. Some interns also contribute articles or analyses for CERL’s blog and help prepare briefing materials connected to the center’s research work. The program also allows you to interact with academics, legal scholars, and national security professionals.

11. Amy Ginensky & Andy Rogoff Emerging Advocate Initiative–Public Interest Law Center Fall Legal Internships

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Fall semester (typically September – December)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who demonstrate strong research and writing skills and commitment to public interest law

In this program, you’ll work with attorneys on issues like voting rights, education equity, housing rights, employment discrimination, health care access, and environmental justice. Your work may include conducting legal research, helping draft briefs or pleadings, reviewing case documents, and organizing discovery materials. Depending on the project, you might also help prepare policy memos, assist with proposed legislation, or support community outreach efforts. During the internship, you’ll see how public interest litigation works in practice. You may sit in on court proceedings, attend meetings with attorneys, and learn how legal advocacy connects with policy and community work.

12. HIAS Pennsylvania Internship

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort sizes
Dates: Summer: Full-time for approximately 10 weeks (June – August); Academic Year (Fall/Spring): Part-time aligned with semester dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until positions are filled
Eligibility: Students who are college-aged or older who show a commitment to social justice

An internship with HIAS Pennsylvania gives you the chance to support immigrants and refugees through the organization’s legal services programs. As an intern, you may work with attorneys who handle immigration cases and help with different parts of the legal support process. Your work could include helping with client intake, organizing case files, or preparing immigration forms and documents under supervision. Some interns also assist with outreach projects or community programs focused on immigrant rights. Through this experience, you’ll get a closer look at how immigration law works in a nonprofit setting while helping provide legal support to immigrants and refugees across the Philadelphia area.

13. Women’s Law Project (WLP)

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; usually 2–5 interns per office
Dates: Summer: June – August (~10 weeks); Spring/Fall: Part-time following the academic semester
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students 

In this internship, you’ll work alongside attorneys and policy advocates who focus on gender justice issues. As an intern, you may help with legal research, policy analysis, and drafting reports or legal documents. You might track legislation, assist with amicus briefs, communicate with clients, or support advocacy work related to issues such as reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and LGBTQ equality. You’ll get a closer look at how nonprofit legal organizations combine litigation, policy work, and community education to push for legal change. You may also sit in on staff meetings and discussions about legal strategy, which provides insight into how advocacy decisions are made.

14. Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) – Undergraduate Internship

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Dates: Summer: Early June – Mid-August (~10 weeks); Academic Year: Semester-based
Application Deadline: Summer priority: April 1; Fall priority: July 15
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate students 

In this internship, you gain hands-on experience on the front lines of poverty law at one of the city's largest free civil legal service providers. You will explore critical civil legal topics, specifically focusing on family law, housing and eviction defense, consumer protection, and public benefits. During the program, your main activities will include conducting initial client intake interviews, organizing case files, and helping staff attorneys draft legal correspondence. A unique feature of this internship is the immediate, direct client interaction it offers, allowing you to directly assist vulnerable residents navigating active crises. Ultimately, you will walk away having developed strong, practical career skills in empathetic communication, trauma-informed interviewing, basic legal analysis, and effective case management.

15. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Scholars Program

Location: Various SEC offices across the United States (including Philadelphia regional office)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Fall: August 24 – October 30 or September 8 – November 13; Summer: Typically June – August (10-week minimum)
Application Deadline: Fall: April 13; Summer: Early February
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law students enrolled at least half-time in accredited institutions and eligible to work in the U.S.; minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale; at least 16 years old; U.S. citizens

The SEC Scholars Program gives you the opportunity to work in divisions such as Enforcement, Corporation Finance, Investment Management, or Trading and Markets. As an intern, you may help with tasks like legal research, reviewing financial information, supporting regulatory work, and assisting with investigations related to securities laws. During the program, you’ll get a closer look at how federal regulators oversee financial markets and enforce U.S. securities laws. The experience can help you understand how government agencies monitor market activity and respond to potential violations while building research and analytical skills.

Image source - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania logo