15 Law Internships for High School Students in the Bay Area
If you're a high school student in the Bay Area interested in law, a local internship can be a smart way to gain practical and accessible experience in the field. Internships give you the chance to explore legal research, courtroom processes, and policy discussions, while receiving professional mentorship, developing essential skills, and gaining insight into potential career paths.
If you’re planning to pursue law or a related field in college, an internship in the field would give your college applications a significant boost. Admissions officers seek students who actively pursue skill-building and independent opportunities outside the school curriculum—it tells them that the student is motivated and dedicated to their chosen field. From programs offered by law firms and District Attorney’s offices to those hosted by universities and nonprofits, the Bay Area has a range of opportunities in the legal field for high school students. Many of these internships are free or offer stipends, making them more accessible than other summer programs.
In this blog, we’ve listed the top 15 law internships that high school students in the Bay Area can consider.
1. San Francisco District Attorney's Office High School Internship
Location: District Attorney's Office, San Francisco, California
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: Dates and deadlines vary
Dates: Dates and deadlines vary; high school interns are only accepted in the summer session
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible
The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office High School Internship gives you an in-depth look at how the criminal justice system works. During this program, you will support prosecutors and staff with key tasks such as organizing case files, preparing materials for trial, contacting witnesses, and managing subpoenas and records related to hearings and jury trials. You will report to a supervising attorney or paralegal for the duration of the internship, who will guide you as you learn. This experience can help build your organizational and communication skills, while also helping you understand the daily operations of a busy DA’s office. If you’re reliable, detail-oriented, and interested in exploring a future in law, this internship is a great starting point.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies with the program type
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary with the cohort
Dates: Multiple 8-12-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours per week
Ladder Internships gives ambitious high school students a chance to intern with startups across the world, including legal-tech start-ups. This selective 8-week virtual internship pairs you with a high-growth startup in industries like journalism, media, AI, marketing, consulting, mental health, and more. As a Ladder intern, you will be paired with a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach, who will act as your mentors and guide you as you contribute to an ongoing project at the startup. At the end of the program, you will present your work to the company. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that are raising over a million dollars on average. This virtual internship also includes professional skills and group training sessions.
3. Project Pull Internships by SF Government
Location: Various government department offices in San Francisco, with some hybrid options
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid $19.25 per hour
Application Deadline: February 17
Dates: June 9 - August 1
Eligibility: High school students entering their junior or senior year who live or attend high school in San Francisco, and have a minimum 2.75 GPA from their last finished semester
Project Pull is an eight-week paid summer internship offered by the City and County of San Francisco that lets you explore careers in the public sector while building practical, essential skills. If you’re interested in law, policy, or government, this program is worth considering. You may be placed in departments connected to legal and civic work, such as the City Attorney’s Office, Human Rights Commission, or other agencies, where you’ll see how laws and policies affect communities. Over the summer, you’ll work 20 hours a week on current projects, guided by a mentor who introduces you to the professional world and helps you develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. You’ll also gain insight into how the city government operates and how different departments collaborate.
4. California Innocence Project (CIP) High School Internship
Location: San Diego, California (California Western School of Law)
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: November 1 (Spring session) | March 1 (Summer session) | July 1 (Fall session)
Dates: Part-time internships during spring, summer, and fall (flexible hours; 15-35 hours/week)
Eligibility: High school, college, law, and post-bar students
The California Innocence Project (CIP) allows high school students to work on real legal cases while learning about wrongful convictions and justice reform. As an intern, you’ll support attorneys and staff by reviewing case files, organizing legal documents, conducting basic research, and helping with community outreach. You’ll also receive training that introduces you to the realities of the criminal justice system and the challenges faced by wrongfully convicted individuals. This experience is a strong option if you’re interested in criminal law or post-conviction work. You’ll gain insight into how lawyers investigate cases, advocate for clients, and push for reform. By working closely with legal professionals, you’ll strengthen skills like research, organization, and communication while gaining a deeper understanding of legal ethics and advocacy.
5. District Attorney’s Justice Academy (DAJA)
Location: Alameda County, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid
Application Deadline: January/February
Dates: 6-month program (spring seminars + summer internship)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an Alameda County high school
The Diversity and the Administration of Justice Academy (DAJA) is a comprehensive six-month program designed to allow high school students to explore the workings of the justice system and local government. The program includes interactive seminars and workshops, which will help you understand key topics such as criminal justice, public policy, and community leadership. Apart from this, you will participate in a paid summer internship at local government offices, law enforcement agencies, or legal nonprofits, where you will gain public service experience. The program also emphasizes mentorship and professional development, helping you build skills such as critical thinking, communication, and civic responsibility.
6. Summer Legal Institute
Location: Multiple locations, including San Diego and Los Angeles, California
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: April 5
Dates: Los Angeles: June 23 – 27 | San Diego, California: June 23 – 27
Eligibility: All high school students
The Summer Legal Institute (SLI) is a free five-day program that introduces high school students to the legal field. You’ll get to work with attorneys from leading law firms and companies while building skills that are essential for a career in law and law-related fields, such as public speaking, persuasive writing, critical thinking, and professional etiquette. Through interactive workshops, you’ll analyze cases, take part in debates, and practice negotiation exercises that mirror real legal work. You’ll also learn how the legal system functions by exploring real-world examples and gaining insight into how firms and corporations approach cases. Beyond the workshops, you’ll connect with legal professionals who can share mentorship, guidance, and even information about scholarships or future opportunities.
7. YMCA Youth and Government: Model Legislature & Court
Location: Multiple locations across California (with local YMCA delegations and state Capitol sessions in Sacramento)
Cost/Stipend: Varies; some financial assistance may be available
Application Deadline: Varies by local YMCA
Dates: Multi-month program: local delegation meetings (fall/winter) and annual conferences
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in California schools
The Youth & Government Program, offered through local California YMCAs, exposes high school students to how state governments work. You’ll take on roles like legislator, lobbyist, attorney, or journalist and actively participate in mock legislative sessions, court trials, and political debates. As part of the program, you’ll draft and propose your own legislation, make persuasive arguments, and debate real issues that matter today. You’ll strengthen your leadership, public speaking, and teamwork skills while learning how policies are created and laws are shaped. The program ends with a multi-day conference at the California State Capitol, where you’ll step into the role of an elected official and see government in action up close.
8. San Francisco YouthWorks
Location: Various San Francisco City Departments
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid $19.18 per hour
Application Deadline: September 12
Dates: Varies with the role; they typically run throughout the school year
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors who reside or attend school in San Francisco
SF YouthWorks is a paid program that connects you with San Francisco City Departments and exposes you to careers in public service. If you’re interested in law, you may be placed in departments like the City Attorney’s Office, the Human Rights Commission, or the Controller’s Office, where you can see how legal frameworks guide government decisions. Over the course of your internship, you’ll work directly with a mentor who introduces you to professional responsibilities and guides you through projects in administration, communication, or policy-related work. You’ll also attend job readiness workshops, career exploration events, and site visits to learn more about different fields. The program helps you strengthen important skills that are essential if you’re considering a career in law, government, or public policy.
9. Mayor’s Youth Employment & Education Program (MYEEP)
Location: Multiple locations
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid at least $19.18 per hour
Application Deadline: September 5
Dates: Varies with the role
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible; further requirements could vary with the program type
By collaborating with local nonprofit organizations, this program offers students in San Francisco paid work experience, academic support, and a chance to build professional skills. As an intern, you will participate in pre-employment training and workshops that prepare you for the workplace. You’ll also receive tutoring and guidance from an academic mentor. High schoolers curious about law can choose to intern with local businesses/nonprofits working in the legal field or related areas.
10. SFUSD Work-Based Learning Summer Internships
Location: San Francisco, California; exact location varies with the internship role
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will receive a weekly stipend
Application Deadline: February
Dates: 6 weeks (20 hours a week) in the summer; exact dates vary
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Summer Internships give you the chance to explore careers through a paid, hands-on experience. Over six weeks, you’ll work at least 20 hours a week alongside mentors in industries like law, public service, marketing, and project management. You could be placed in legal or government-related departments where you’ll see how cases, policies, and administrative processes are managed. You’ll also practice important skills such as research, organization, and communication, all essential for a future in law. You’ll also attend weekly Work-Based Learning seminars with an SFUSD supervisor to reflect on your progress and professional growth. This program helps you explore career paths and build a network of mentors and peers.
11. USC Center for the Political Future Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: May 19
Dates: June 1 - August 1
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.5 GPA. Graduating seniors are not eligible
USC Dornsife, in partnership with the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, offers a fully virtual summer internship where you can explore the intersection of law, politics, and the environment. Over the course of the program, you’ll work on two main projects: writing a legislative policy memo and completing a legislative process analysis. You’ll select a local, state, or federal bill related to sustainability or environmental policy and examine how it moves through the political system. With guidance and detailed feedback from USC mentors, you’ll strengthen your writing, critical thinking, and research skills while learning how policy is shaped. By the end of the internship, you’ll have practical experience in political analysis and a deeper understanding of how environmental legislation develops at different levels of government.
12. Department of Justice Pathways Internships
Location: U.S. Department of Justice offices across the country
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some roles are paid
Application Deadline: Varies with the role
Dates: 6-8 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and part of the Pathways Internship Program
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Pathways Program offers paid internships to students across academic levels, from high school students to graduate level, to work in government agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school. As a high school intern in this program, you could gain exposure to Federal law enforcement and legal administration. Through paid placements in DOJ offices across the country, you can assist with legal research, case organization, or administrative support in departments such as the Office of Legal Policy or the Attorney General’s Office. Interns have the opportunity to engage with the everyday operations of government attorneys and policy experts.
13. Pasquines Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Flexible duration; roles are offered year-round
Eligibility: High school students
The Pasquines internships gives high school students the opportunity to take part in a fully remote internship focused on law, journalism, politics, and U.S. territorial affairs. You’ll research and write articles on issues shaping Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, while improving your writing, editing, and digital publishing skills. You’ll collaborate with a team of volunteers who share an interest for government work, civic reporting, and public policy. This internship is unpaid, but you can request college credit for your work. The program is flexible and ongoing, so you can apply at any time and continue as long as you’d like.
14. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA) options available
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some internships are paid
Application Deadline: November (Spring session) | March 1 (Summer session) | July (Fall session)
Dates: February – May (Spring session) | June – August (Summer session) | September – December (Fall session)
Eligibility: High school students who are authorized to work in the US
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) offers a virtual internship that gives you practical experience in international relations and global affairs. During the program, you’ll work alongside scholars and professionals while choosing a focus area that matches your interests—whether that’s research, event planning, communications, or operations. You’ll attend weekly foreign policy seminars and career development workshops, join FPRI’s events, and gain insight into how global issues are studied and addressed. As part of your work, you may contribute to research projects and even publish in the FPRI Intern Corner. This internship also helps you build practical skills like communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.
15. World Scholars Academy Law Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies with the program
Application Deadline: Varies with the program
Dates: Typically, once a week for 4 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 years
The World Scholars Academy Law Internship provides high school students with a chance to explore and engage in discussions around various issues in law, such as jurisprudence, political economy, antitrust law, and government censorship. During this program, you will get to work with an expert legal scholar to research and co-author an academic paper on a topic of your choice. This internship will allow yout to learn research techniques and review relevant literature, helping you build the skillset needed to research cases and work as a lawyer. You will submit your final paper to the World Scholars Review academic journal or another academic legal publication.
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