14 Law Internships for Undergraduates in Pittsburgh
If you are an undergraduate student interested in law, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore this field in great detail. College internships provide a structured way to validate academic interests in the real-world, build a stronger resume, and demonstrate to employers that you are proactive about gaining practical experience early in your career. They help you develop professional skills such as communication, time management, and workplace etiquette – skills that are difficult to learn only through coursework. For students considering law school, internships are especially valuable because they provide early exposure to real clients, courtrooms, and legal documents.
You can find an extended list of the best law internships for high schoolers in general here! And if you’re looking specifically for Business law programs, find a list here!
Why should I do a law internship in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh offers a wide range of internships in the legal field., Students can gain experience through government agencies, nonprofit organizations, law firms, and public interest sectors. Participating in these programs allows you to gain a competitive edge by acquiring real-world legal experience while making connections within the professional community. By exploring law internships for undergraduates in Pittsburg, you’ll understand what criminal law, civil rights, corporate compliance, or public-interest work actually look like on a day-to-day basis.These experiences also allow you to meet lawyers, judges, caseworkers, and legal policy professionals who can mentor you and potentially provide recommendations later in your career.
To help you get started, we've put together 14 law internships for undergraduates in Pittsburgh.
Quick Look
14 law-adjacent internships total spanning criminal prosecution, public defense, civil rights advocacy, environmental law, and county human services, hosted by organizations including the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, the ACLU, and Earthjustice
Allegheny County appears four times through distinct offices: the DA's Office, CYF Casework Support, the Immigrants and Internationals Initiative, and general DHS internships, each touching different areas of law and public service
The Women's Law Project offers the strongest disclosed compensation among specialized legal placements, with a $7,000 diversity stipend available to students from underrepresented backgrounds in law
Several programs focus specifically on public interest and civil rights work, including the ACLU, Earthjustice, Women's Law Project, and Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, all offering remote or hybrid flexibility
The Federal Public Defender's Office and the Allegheny County DA's Office are the two most litigation-intensive placements, giving direct exposure to active criminal cases and courtroom proceedings
1. Allegheny County District Attorney's Office Internship
Location: Allegheny County Courthouse, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free with school credit offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Multiple internship positions available across various units
Dates: Varies by cohort; summer program typically runs mid-June through mid-August for approximately 10-12 weeks
Application Deadline: Summer applications open January 5 and close March 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in relevant degree programs
This internship offers hands-on experience in criminal justice and the public service legal sector by working within one of Pennsylvania's major prosecutorial offices. Depending on your interests and the office needs, you may be placed in specialized units such as juvenile court, domestic violence, or homicide, offering distinct learning opportunities. Your responsibilities will include conducting legal research, drafting briefs or motions, and assisting attorneys with trial and hearing preparation. You will accompany attorneys to court proceedings, including jury selection and plea negotiations, and perform various clerical tasks. Through this experience, you will develop skills in legal analysis, written communication, and courtroom observation, understanding criminal procedure in real-world environments. This program offers relevant work experience, demonstrating what criminal law practice actually involves.
2. The Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $2,190
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Multiple internship positions available across various units
Dates: Summer cohort- 8 weeks starting June 1
Application Deadline: Summer cohort- April 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and young professionals
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight‑week, fully virtual internship that places you with early‑stage startups across fields such as finance, consulting, AI, health tech, media, and also, law. You work directly with a company coach or founder for one structured session per week, dedicating roughly five to ten hours weekly to your assigned project. Over the course of the program, you’ll be expected to produce two main deliverables and present each to your host company at the end of the relevant phase. At the end of the engagement, you’ll receive a reference letter from your startup founder or manager, which can be a useful credential when applying to colleges or future internship roles.
3. Women's Law Project
Location: Pittsburgh, PA office
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship for general applicants; summer diversity law internship stipend of $7,000 available to interns from underrepresented backgrounds in the legal profession
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Multiple internship positions available annually
Dates: Summer internships typically run June through August (approximately 8-10 weeks);
Application Deadline: Summer 2026 applications accepted from January 1 through February 15 on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students can apply
You will engage in public interest legal work, advancing the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and direct assistance programs. As an intern, you will work on substantive gender justice issues, including reproductive rights, pregnancy discrimination, employment discrimination, and LGBTQ equality. Your responsibilities will include conducting legal research and writing, drafting legal briefs, communicating with clients, and assisting attorneys with judicial bypass cases. Through collaborative work, you will develop practical skills in legal analysis, understanding how organizations leverage litigation and advocacy to create systemic change. The organization emphasizes mentorship and training, recognizing your role in developing the next generation of civil rights lawyers. You will gain exposure to intersectional approaches to law that center the experiences of people facing multiple forms of oppression.
4. Sommer Law Group Paralegal Internship
Location: Pittsburgh, PA (local law firm)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship; can be used for school credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Multiple internship positions available
Dates: Available year-round; flexible scheduling based on student availability
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: College students interested in legal field
You will introduce yourself to legal practice through entry-level paralegal work with a Pittsburgh law firm. As a paralegal intern at Sommer Law Group, you will assist with office-wide filing, answer phones, support large copy projects, and draft miscellaneous correspondence. You will learn to draft basic pleadings, developing practical skills in legal document preparation, court procedures, and office management. The firm provides training in how to file and serve documents with various courts, exposing you to procedural requirements. This internship offers you exposure to private practice operations and the skills required for paralegal and legal assistant work. You will understand the supporting role paralegals and legal assistants play in law firm operations. The firm currently seeks candidates interested in full-time positions following an internship, making this a potential pathway to legal career employment.
5. Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Location: Pittsburgh, PA (Western District of Pennsylvania office)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship; academic credit may be available through your institution
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Number of interns varies by year
Dates: 10 weeks; typically summer (exact dates vary year to year)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law school students welcome
You will gain experience in federal criminal defense and public interest legal practice through work with experienced public defenders. As an intern, you will conduct legal research, draft motions and memoranda, review records and case transcripts, and assist with investigations. You will observe federal court proceedings and work with a mentor attorney who guides your development. Your mentor will help you understand complex federal criminal cases and constitutional issues underlying federal public defense. Your responsibilities may include assisting with capital habeas corpus cases and reviewing discovery materials. This internship emphasizes the connection between theoretical legal knowledge and practical application, training you in lawyering skills essential to criminal practice. You will gain insight into the constitutional right to counsel and how public defenders work to protect fundamental rights.
6. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Internships
Location: Remote and hybrid opportunities
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Typical summer internship June through August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: N.A.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law students welcome; graduate students and recent graduates may apply; interest in civil liberties and civil rights issues required
You will engage with some of the most impactful civil liberties and civil rights fights happening across the United States today. Through meaningful work in legal, communications, advocacy, operations, and technology fields, you will contribute to substantive organizational work. You will develop practical skills and professional experience in your area of interest, learning from ACLU employees through trainings, on-the-job mentorship, and exposure to current initiatives. These initiatives address voter suppression, reproductive rights, police accountability, and immigrant rights. The organization offers year-round remote and hybrid internship opportunities, providing you with flexibility. ACLU internships expose you to impact litigation, policy advocacy, and organizing strategies that advance constitutional rights and social justice, helping you understand how systemic change occurs.
7. Pittsburgh City Government - Department of Law
Location: Pittsburgh, PA; government office location in downtown Pittsburgh
Cost/Stipend: Pay varies; some positions paid, some offer school credit or unpaid experience
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Multiple internship and part-time positions available
Dates: Varies by specific department and position; typically available year-round with some seasonal variation
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students welcome; relevant degree program enrollment preferred; interest in government legal practice required
You will gain experience in municipal law and city government operations through work with the Department of Law serving Pittsburgh. As an intern at the city legal department, you may be assigned clerical and administrative tasks, as well as legal research and writing projects supporting the city's legal operations. Your work could involve analyzing local ordinances, researching municipal law issues, drafting reports and memoranda, and understanding how government legal counsel operates. You will develop practical knowledge of municipal governance, regulatory compliance, and the legal issues municipalities face. Working in city government provides you with exposure to how government attorneys serve the public interest and manage legal affairs affecting entire communities. You will understand the distinction between government legal practice and private legal practice.
8. Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Internship Program
Location: Locations across Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not applicable
Dates: Varies based on engaging Bureau
Application Deadline: Summer positions typically open in spring
Eligibility: Undergraduates with 60+ credits in criminal justice, political science etc.
The Pennsylvania State Police Internship Program provides students with exposure to careers in law enforcement and public safety. Participants may work within Troops, Bureaus, or Offices, while supporting administrative tasks, research, and operational initiatives. You'll build practical skills while gaining insight into different department functions, such as criminal investigations, forensic services, training, and homeland security. Program length varies depending on the assignment but typically requires 160 hours for Troop and Bureau roles, or between 120 and180 hours for placements in the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security. Some assignments may require travel using your own vehicle.
9. Allegheny County CYF Casework Support Internship
Location: Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: $15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: N.A.
Dates: N.A.
Application Deadline: Always open
Eligibility: College students
The Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) provides a paid internship for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or similar disciplines. You’ll be expected to work up to 29 hours per week under certified caseworkers across six Allegheny County, PA office locations. The program offers exposure to how professionals support families dealing with challenges such as mental health issues, housing instability, and child neglect. You’ll actively participate in home visits, client assessments, court testimony, and case documentation. Additionally, rising seniors interested in becoming Child Welfare Caseworkers can apply for a more intensive 975-hour internship track offered through CYF.
10. Earthjustice Student Opportunities
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Multiple internship positions across various departments and locations annually
Dates: Summer internships typically June through August; specific dates vary by position
Application Deadline: N.A.
Eligibility: Undergraduate students may apply
You will work with a leading environmental nonprofit legal organization, advancing justice through environmental law, litigation, and policy advocacy. As an Earthjustice intern, you will engage with meaningful projects addressing environmental challenges, working alongside legal strategists, policy experts, and scientists. Depending on your placement, you may work in legal operations, litigation, policy and legislation, science, communications, or fundraising. You will develop practical skills relevant to environmental law, including legal research, policy analysis, and client communication. Earthjustice provides training and mentorship focused on preparing you for careers in environmental law and public interest practice. You will understand how litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing work together to advance environmental protection. This internship is particularly valuable if you are interested in environmental law, climate change, or indigenous rights.
11. American Bar Association (ABA) Internships
Location: Remote and Washington, D.C. office locations
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship; some programs offer stipends or housing support
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by program
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies by ABA program; typically March 1 for summer
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law students; some programs specifically target undergraduates
You will work with the American Bar Association on projects supporting the legal profession, law school access, and the promotion of justice and rule of law internationally. Depending on your ABA placement, you may work on civil rights initiatives, rule of law projects, government relations, or programs supporting diversity in law. Your responsibilities could include legal research, policy analysis, writing projects, and supporting conferences and educational programs. You will gain exposure to how the legal profession organizes itself and how bar associations work to advance access to justice and professional development. ABA internships provide you with an understanding of how the legal profession functions beyond law firms and courts, including governance and regulation. You will interact with lawyers, judges, and legal professionals engaged in shaping the profession.
12. Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services Internship
Location: Primarily remote
Cost/Stipend: Stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Exact dates vary ( currently not accepting applications but expected to announce dates soon)
Application Deadline: varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law students
You’ll contribute to either the Legal Services Program or the Community Democracy Program. You may be expected to research municipal ordinances, prepare plain‑language explanations of legal concepts, or help communities understand environmental‑justice issues. You’ll also assist with community engagement, workshops, and outreach efforts that connect residents with legal tools. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how small communities navigate permitting, zoning, and environmental regulations. The remote structure allows you to participate without relocating, while still interacting closely with attorneys and organizers. In the process, you’ll build skills in translating legal information into accessible language and supporting community‑driven advocacy.
13. Allegheny County DHS Immigrants and Internationals Initiative Internship
Location: Allegheny County DHS, Immigrants and Internationals Initiative, Pittsburgh
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Multiple internship positions available during academic year and summer
Dates: Summer cohort lasts about 10–13 weeks
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students may apply
You’ll support work that improves access to services and representation for immigrant and international residents in Allegheny County. As a general intern, you help plan outreach events, assist with program logistics, and support the Immigrants and Internationals Advisory Council. You will be expected to attend meetings, take minutes, and help maintain resource lists, which gives you exposure to how local government, nonprofits, and community groups coordinate around immigrant rights and policy. As a special‑project intern, you will focus more deeply on research, data collection, or communications related to specific policy or advocacy goals. You’ll get to see how legal frameworks around immigration, language access, and civil rights play out at the county level. This experience is helpful preparation if you are considering immigration law or public‑interest work serving immigrant communities. The internship pairs well with other law internships for undergraduates in Pittsburg that emphasize litigation or direct legal representation
14. Allegheny County Department of Human Services internships
Location: Allegheny County DHS, Immigrants and Internationals Initiative, Pittsburgh
Cost/Stipend: N.A.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Multiple internship positions available during academic year and summer
Dates: Summer cohort lasts about 10–13 weeks
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students may apply
You’ll join a DHS team working on projects that can touch criminal justice reform, homelessness, child welfare, aging services, or immigrant support. You’ll be expected to work 20–29 hours per week on structured assignments that build both technical and professional skills, such as data analysis, policy research, or program evaluation. You might help compile reports that feed into county policy decisions or assist with community engagement and outreach. You’ll get to attend professional development workshops where senior staff explain how the local government uses data, contracts, and regulations to deliver services. While not a classic “firm” experience, you see how law, regulation, and contracts govern public‑sector decisions and funding. This perspective is useful if you think you may pursue administrative law, government lawyering, or public policy after law school.
Questions Students Often Ask These Programs
Allegheny County has four different internship programs on this list. How do I know which one fits my interests?
Each targets a different area. The DA's Office is the most litigation-focused, placing you in criminal prosecution units like juvenile court or homicide. CYF Casework Support centers on child welfare and social work-adjacent legal work. The Immigrants and Internationals Initiative focuses on policy and advocacy for immigrant communities. General DHS internships are the broadest, touching criminal justice reform, homelessness, and aging services from a public administration angle. If courtroom exposure is your priority, the DA's Office is the strongest match; if you're drawn to policy and community-facing work, the Immigrants Initiative or general DHS internships fit better.
I'm interested in public interest and civil rights law rather than criminal prosecution. Which programs should I prioritize?
The ACLU, Women's Law Project, and Earthjustice are the strongest fits, all centered on impact litigation and policy advocacy rather than prosecution or defense. Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services is a good complement if you're specifically interested in how legal frameworks apply to smaller, under-resourced communities on environmental and zoning issues.
Some of these, like the PA State Police and Allegheny County DHS internships, aren't traditional legal internships in a law firm sense. Are they still valuable for someone considering law school?
Yes. The Pennsylvania State Police internship builds direct exposure to how law enforcement and criminal investigations actually function, which is valuable context for future criminal law work. The DHS internships show how regulation, contracts, and public funding decisions operate at the county level, which is useful preparation if you're considering administrative law, government lawyering, or public policy after law school. Both offer a different but genuinely relevant angle on legal careers compared to a traditional firm-based internship.