10 Law Firm Summer Internships for Undergraduates
If you are an undergraduate student interested in law, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore this field in great detail. College is an ideal time to explore potential career paths, and internships are one of the most effective ways for students to strengthen their professional profiles. By gaining hands-on experience, students can build stronger resumes, develop professional skills, and significantly improve their employability after graduation. Internships also allow students to test their interests in real-world environments while building networks with industry professionals. For students considering a career in law, internships at law firms can be especially valuable.
If you want to see more law-related internships, check out a larger list of law internships here!
Why should I do a summer law firm internship in college?
A summer law firm internship enables students to apply classroom learning to real-world legal work while developing essential, transferable skills such as research, analysis, and professional communication. These experiences can also strengthen law school applications and significantly improve employment prospects by demonstrating initiative, practical exposure, and familiarity with the legal industry.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 10 law firm summer internships for undergraduates, focusing on programs that offer strong learning opportunities and valuable industry exposure.
Quick look
10 internships total spanning employment law, immigration law, intellectual property, corporate litigation, whistleblower protection, and pre-law exposure, hosted at firms including DLA Piper, Womble Bond Dickinson, Davis Polk, Chapman and Cutler, and the nonprofit legal clinic Kohn Kohn & Colapinto
The Workers' Rights Clinic pays a $1,600 stipend for a virtual 8-week placement; DLA Piper's Raja Gaddipati Fellowship is 6 weeks paid; Davis Polk offers potential compensation of $50,000 prorated for law students; most other programs are paid but do not publicly disclose amounts
Genuinely undergraduate-accessible programs include DLA Piper (senior year or recent graduates applying to law school), Workers' Rights Clinic (final-year California students), Casa Cornelia, both Womble programs, Chapman and Cutler, Gersowitz Libo and Korek, and Kohn Kohn and Colapinto (limited undergraduate spots); Michael Best and Davis Polk are for law school students
The Workers' Rights Clinic is virtual and restricted to students at California-based institutions; DLA Piper spans multiple U.S. offices; both Womble programs are anchored in North Carolina with D.C. access; KKC is based in Washington D.C.
The most time-sensitive deadline is DLA Piper's Raja Gaddipati Fellowship (January 20), followed by the Workers' Rights Clinic (March 13); most other programs use rolling admissions
1. Workers’ Rights Clinic Undergraduate Legal Honors Internship Summer
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 4 - July 30
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled at a California-based accredited institution and are entering their final year (or semester) of study after this summer.
The Workers’ Rights Clinic Undergraduate Legal Honors Internship (ULHI) places undergraduate students in a legal clinic environment where they support clients facing workplace-related issues. As part of the program, you conduct one-on-one client interviews and perform legal research under the supervision of an employment law attorney. The internship provides exposure to issues such as employment discrimination, wage theft, workplace safety violations, and family medical leave disputes. You learn how employment law principles apply to common workplace conflicts and how to translate legal information into clear explanations for clients. The program also encourages participation from first-generation students and those from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds interested in legal careers.
2. Casa Cornelia Law Center Internships
Location: Casa Cornelia Law Center, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Some internships are paid, others may be for academic credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Summer: June through August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
Casa Cornelia Law Center offers internship opportunities for law students, undergraduate and graduate students, through roles such as Law Clerk and Administrative Assistant. Internships are available during the fall, spring, and summer sessions and may be paid or completed for academic credit, depending on the position. As an undergraduate participant, you support both non-legal and legal programs through administrative tasks and resource research related to asylum seekers, victims of crime, and children. The internship requires a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week and includes an orientation workshop before the session begins. You may also attend professional training sessions, webinars, and occasionally observe court proceedings alongside legal staff.
3. Womble Bond Dickinson Internship Program
Location: Multiple North Carolina offices, including Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.
Stipend/Cost: Paid (as per previous year program details)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
The Womble Bond Dickinson Summer Internship Program is a 10-week program designed to introduce students to the operations of a law firm. Interns are assigned to corporate departments where they complete projects related to organizational initiatives and internal operations. Examples of past work include researching employment laws for HR planning, coordinating volunteer activities across offices, and developing internal technology tools. The program includes bi-weekly professional development training sessions and opportunities to visit offices in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and Raleigh. Interns also participate in firm events and networking activities throughout the internship. The program concludes with a final presentation showcasing project outcomes.
4. Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. Internships
Location: Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Not publicly available
Dates: Summer (exact duration not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified | Interested students are encouraged to apply as early as possible
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
The Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. internship program offers summer opportunities for undergraduate and law school students at the firm’s corporate office in New York City. As an undergraduate intern, you assist firm partners by organizing case files, medical records, and trial preparation materials. The role also involves requesting medical records from hospitals and other institutions and following up with healthcare providers. You may communicate with clients to clarify case information and support attorneys handling ongoing matters. The internship introduces you to different stages of litigation and case preparation within a personal injury law firm environment.
5. Michael Best Summer Associate Program
Location: Multiple US offices, including Austin, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Madison, Milwaukee, Raleigh, and Salt Lake City
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer (exact duration not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently a 1L in an ABA-accredited law school
The Michael Best Summer Associate Program offers law students an opportunity to work on assignments similar to those handled by full-time associates. During the internship, you complete legal research and writing projects related to the firm’s practice areas. The program includes mentoring from attorneys who guide participants through assignments and provide professional feedback. Summer associates also participate in networking and community events organized for interns and firm employees. These activities allow you to interact with colleagues and other members of the summer associate class.
6. DLA Piper - Raja Gaddipati Fellowship
Location: DLA Piper offices across the United States
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount is not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited college degree program entering their senior year in the fall or recent graduates applying to law school within one year
The DLA Piper Raja Gaddipati Fellowship is a six-week, full-time paid summer internship designed for undergraduate students and recent graduates. The program introduces you to the work environment of a large law firm through structured research projects and professional development activities. Participants attend lectures that discuss different aspects of legal practice and the business operations of a law firm. The fellowship also includes direct mentoring from legal professionals who guide participants throughout the program. Admission includes a competitive application and interview process. The internship aims to provide insight into legal careers and law firm operations.
7. Public Interest Law Internship - Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto (KKC)
Location: Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Internships available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions throughout the year
Eligibility: Open to first, second, and third-year law students, and a limited number of undergraduate students
The Public Interest Law Internship at Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto (KKC) gives students experience supporting legal work related to whistleblower protection. In this program, you collaborate with attorneys representing individuals reporting misconduct in government programs, corporations, and financial institutions. Interns complete research and writing assignments connected to active legal matters handled by the firm. The internship may also involve assisting with trial preparation and litigation support tasks. Participants contribute to public policy projects focused on strengthening whistleblower protection laws. The internship introduces you to the practice of public interest law within a litigation-focused environment.
8. Womble Intellectual Property (IP) Internship Program
Location: Multiple North Carolina offices, including Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid (as per previous year program details)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students | students from non STEM majors are not qualified
The Womble Intellectual Property (IP) Internship Program is a 10-week internship hosted at the firm’s Charlotte, North Carolina, office. The program is designed for upper-level undergraduate and master’s students from science or technical backgrounds interested in intellectual property careers. During the internship, you work alongside IP professionals and gain exposure to patent-related tasks and legal processes. Previous interns have reviewed claim rejections, conducted prior art searches, and adapted European patent claims for U.S. applications. The program also includes bi-weekly professional development sessions and networking opportunities. Interns attend firm events and connect with mentors and colleagues.
9. Chapman and Cutler LLP – Pre-Law Summer Internships
Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid, amount is not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: In the summer (exact dates not mentioned)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: College students
Chapman and Cutler LLP offers Pre-Law Summer Internships for college students interested in careers in finance, law, or law firm administration. The program provides hands-on experience through projects that support the firm’s operations and legal practice. Interns begin with an orientation that introduces key finance and legal concepts relevant to the program. Participants then work on assignments related to the firm’s administrative or legal functions. The program also includes the Law Firm Administrative Intern (LFAI) opportunity for students exploring legal careers. These internships aim to introduce students to the structure and day-to-day operations of a law firm.
10. Davis Polk’s Summer Program
Location: New York, Northern California, and Washington DC
Cost/Stipend: Eligible students may receive $50,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 191 total summer associates in the current year
Dates: Summer (exact dates are not specified)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Law students
Davis Polk’s U.S. Summer Program offers internships in offices located in New York, Northern California, and Washington, DC. During the program, you work on assignments similar to those handled by first- and second-year associates. Summer associates are integrated into active legal teams and contribute to ongoing matters handled by the firm. Work assignments are coordinated by associates who serve as full-time Summer Program Coordinators. Participants are also paired with a partner mentor and an associate liaison who provide guidance and feedback throughout the program. The program allows you to explore work across multiple practice areas.
Bonus Program!
Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type | financial aid available
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: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
The Ladder University Internship Program is a competitive virtual internship that connects students with startups and nonprofits across a variety of industries worldwide. During the program, participants work on real-world projects that address actual business needs within the organizations they are placed with. Interns collaborate closely with a startup manager who provides guidance throughout the internship. At the end of the program, participants present the outcomes of their projects. The internship is designed to provide practical experience while working with global teams. Apply now!
Questions students often ask about these programs
Several programs on this list say they are for law students, not undergraduates. Which ones am I actually eligible for as a current undergraduate?
The programs that are genuinely accessible to undergraduates include DLA Piper's Raja Gaddipati Fellowship (open to students entering their senior year or recent graduates applying to law school within one year), the Workers' Rights Clinic (open to students in their final year at a California institution), Casa Cornelia Law Center, both Womble Bond Dickinson internships, Chapman and Cutler, Gersowitz Libo and Korek, and Kohn Kohn and Colapinto, which accepts a limited number of undergraduates alongside law students. Michael Best and Davis Polk are designed specifically for first- and second-year law students, so those are worth revisiting after you have begun law school rather than applying to as an undergraduate.
Do I need to have already decided I want to go to law school to apply to these programs?
Not at all. Programs like DLA Piper, Womble Bond Dickinson, and Chapman and Cutler are designed precisely to give undergraduates early exposure to law firm environments so they can decide whether a legal career interests them. Prior legal coursework is not a standard requirement for most undergraduate-accessible programs on this list. What tends to stand out in applications is a genuine curiosity about how the legal system works, strong writing and analytical skills, and the ability to explain clearly why a specific firm or area of law interests you, even if that interest is still exploratory.
These internships cover very different areas of law. Does it matter which one I apply to?
If you are still broadly exploring, programs at full-service firms like Womble Bond Dickinson and Chapman and Cutler expose you to multiple practice areas within a single internship, making them strong starting points. If you already have a sense of direction, matching your application to a firm's specialty is a more targeted strategy: Casa Cornelia for immigration and asylum work, Kohn Kohn and Colapinto for whistleblower protection and public interest law, Gersowitz Libo and Korek for personal injury litigation, and Womble's IP program specifically for students with a technical or science background. A focused application that connects your stated interests to the firm's work typically makes a stronger impression than a general one.