14 Remote Law Internships for High School Students
High school is an ideal time to gain real-world experience, and internships can play a major role in shaping your academic and career journey. By participating in an internship early, you not only strengthen your resume but also demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and commitment – qualities that colleges and future employers value. Internships also give you hands-on exposure to professional environments, helping you understand how different fields operate beyond what you learn in the classroom. If you’re considering a future in law, gaining early exposure to legal systems, research, and advocacy can be particularly valuable. Whether you're interested in criminal law, human rights, corporate law, or public policy, virtual law internships can help you explore potential career paths while building foundational skills.
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 participate in a remote law internship in high school?
Participating in remote law internships offers a unique opportunity to gain early exposure to foundational legal concepts such as case analysis, legal research, and argumentation skills that are crucial if you plan to pursue law as a career. These internships also help you develop transferable skills including critical thinking, writing, and communication. Because most programs are conducted virtually, they offer great flexibility. You balance internship responsibilities alongside academic coursework and extracurricular commitments without needing to relocate. You’ll often work with mentors, including lawyers, professors, or law students, who can offer guidance on your learning and provide insights into legal careers. Many programs also offer certificates, recommendation letters, or final projects that you can showcase in your applications.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 remote law internships for high school students, focusing on programs that are accessible, reputable, and offer meaningful learning experiences.
1. The Borgen Project Political Affairs Internship (High School Students)
Location: Fully remote
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (college credit may be available where applicable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 12-week program (flexible; can be completed faster) | new cohorts start monthly
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students with an interest in global issues, public policy, or advocacy | no prior experience required
This remote internship provides students with hands-on experience in advocacy and public policy related to global poverty. You will engage in activities such as contacting government representatives, organizing community outreach, and raising awareness of poverty-related legislation. Typical responsibilities involve writing letters, speaking to groups, and supporting fundraising initiatives through structured campaigns. You may also attend virtual meetings or events and represent the organization in community or political settings. The program emphasizes consistent weekly work, including submitting progress updates and meeting weekly deadlines.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
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: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is an 8-week selective start-up internship program that connects high school students with high-growth start-ups across a variety of industries. Internship opportunities span sectors such as tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies raising over a million dollars on average. In the program, interns work closely with startup managers and a Ladder coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company at the conclusion of the internship.
3. Oxford Scholastica Online Law Research Internship
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Max 15 students per cohort
Dates: July (every Saturday and Sunday)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 15 - 18
You will work in small groups under the guidance of academic mentors, often affiliated with Oxford or Cambridge, to research a focused area such as international commercial law. The program involves weekly live sessions and independent research, where you learn how to read, analyze, and interpret legal sources. Over the course of the program, you will collaborate to co-author a research paper intended for publication, gaining exposure to university-level academic work. You will also build skills in critical thinking, legal writing, and structured evidence-based argumentation.
4. USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (no stipend mentioned)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (limited spots, exact size not specified)
Dates: May 26 - August 14
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and an interest in climate policy, politics, or sustainability
Offered in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, this virtual summer internship focuses on environmental policy and the legislative process. You will research a real bill at the local, state, or federal level and complete two major deliverables: a legislative policy memo and a legislative process analysis. The program emphasizes academic writing, critical thinking, and understanding how policy is developed and implemented. You are expected to attend regular check-ins, participate in guest speaker sessions, and revise your work based on feedback.
5. The Intern Group – Remote Internship Program
Location: Fully remote (global placements)
Cost/Stipend: Full program (August to mid-May) $1,990 | Full program (late May to July): $2,490
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round rolling start dates (every 2 weeks; durations from 4 - 24 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to high school students (with strong interest), as well as university students and graduates | no strict prerequisites mentioned
This remote internship program connects participants with organizations across a wide range of industries such as business, technology, marketing, and finance. You are matched to a placement based on your interests and gain experience working on real-world projects involving research, project support, and communication. The program is flexible, allowing you to choose between 10 and 40 hours per week and durations ranging from 4 to 24 weeks. Alongside your internship, you gain access to career training modules, workshops, and networking events with a global cohort. You also receive mentorship, professional development resources, and feedback to help you build practical skills.
6. Remote NGO Human Rights Internship (Morocco)
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: 100 hours: $1,099 | 250 hours: $1,499 | 350 hours: $1,799
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round | flexible start dates
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Primarily 18+ years (high school graduates may be considered with strong application and interest in human rights, law, or related fields)
This remote internship places you with NGOs in Morocco working on human rights initiatives, including women’s empowerment and migrant support. You contribute to projects such as fundraising campaigns, awareness initiatives, website content creation, and basic community education initiatives. You may also assist with research, grant writing, and developing resources to support disadvantaged groups. The program includes guidance from an NGO supervisor and structured learning through an experiential curriculum. Work can vary based on your experience level and chosen duration, with options ranging from 100 to 350 hours.
7. Remote Legal Support for Human Rights Advocacy Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: 100 hours: $1,099 | 250 hours: $1,499 | 350 hours: $1,799
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round; flexible start dates
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ years may be accepted with relevant interest or experience in law, human rights, or related fields
This remote internship allows you to work with NGOs or law firms in Tanzania that provide legal support to disadvantaged communities. You may assist with legal research, drafting reports, preparing documents, and creating content for awareness campaigns addressing issues such as gender equality, discrimination, and anti-corruption. You can also explore different legal areas such as criminal, civil, labour, or commercial law while learning from experienced legal professionals. The program includes mentorship and structured guidance through an experiential learning curriculum designed to support professional growth.
8. Generation Human Rights (GenHR) – Student Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified (competitive)
Dates: Offered in spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Not explicitly stated (varies by cycle)
Eligibility: Open to high school and university students with an interest in human rights | requires strong writing, research, and time management skills
This remote internship involves supporting a nonprofit organization focused on human rights education and advocacy. You may work on curriculum research, assist with outreach initiatives, and contribute to projects such as developing educational resources or community-based human rights work. Additional responsibilities may include drafting social media content, conducting grant and prospect research, and assisting with event coordination. The internship typically requires a commitment of 3 to 5 hours per week, making it manageable alongside academic commitments.
9. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP)
Location: Various law firms, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies across New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (employers pay interns directly)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective | approximately 200+ students participate annually
Dates: 6 - 8 weeks during July - August
Application Deadline: January (applications typically close in early January)
Eligibility: New York City public high school students who are at least 16 years old and authorized to work in the U.S.
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship allows students to assist with projects such as document organization, legal research support, filing, records management, and administrative work that helps legal teams operate efficiently. Before placement, you will complete a mandatory professional development training program covering professional communication, resume development, and interview preparation. Throughout the summer, you gain exposure to legal workplaces while interacting with attorneys, paralegals, and legal operations staff. The program is designed to provide practical workplace experience while helping students better understand careers within the legal profession. All participants must complete mandatory professional development training before being matched with employers.
10. Leo Cussen Family Law Virtual Internship (Forage)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment (no selection process)
Dates: Self-paced ( more than 9 hours in total)
Application Deadline: None (available year-round)
Eligibility: Open to all, including high school students
This is a virtual job simulation designed to give you an introduction to family law through practical, task-based learning. You complete a series of guided exercises that replicate real legal work, including researching legal issues, analyzing case details, and preparing court-related documents. The program focuses on developing skills such as legal research, communication, and information synthesis through a fictional case scenario. You work independently using pre-recorded instructions and example responses from legal professionals.
11. Leo Cussen Criminal Law Job Simulation (Forage)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment (no selection process)
Dates: Self-paced (3 - 4 hours total)
Application Deadline: None (available year-round)
Eligibility: Open to all, including high school students
This virtual job simulation introduces you to the fundamentals of criminal law through a series of structured, task-based exercises. You work through a simulated legal case, assisting with client advisory, reviewing legal scenarios, and preparing documents related to criminal proceedings. The program focuses on developing skills such as critical thinking, ethical decision-making, forensic analysis, and legal communication. Tasks are completed independently using pre-recorded guidance and example answers from legal professionals.
12. Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid | Course credit may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Academic year internship (typically August - May)
Application Deadline: Usually July
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral program
VSFS connects students with U.S. federal agencies through remote projects completed during the academic year. You will work approximately 10 hours per week on assignments that can involve policy research, communications, international affairs, data analysis, technology projects, and public outreach. Agencies involved have included the U.S. Department of State, USAID, EPA, and the U.S. Forest Service. Because projects are completed virtually, students can participate from anywhere while maintaining their academic schedules. Interns work directly with federal employees on real agency projects throughout the academic year.
13. NITI Internship Program: YuvaCracy Centre for Policy Research (YCPR)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 4 - 8 weeks (varies by cycle)
Application Deadline: Applications accepted throughout the year | deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and young professionals interested in public policy, governance, and research
The NITI Internship Program offers hands-on exposure to public policy research and governance through the YuvaCracy Centre for Policy Research. As an intern, you may contribute to policy briefs, legislative analysis, governance research, and issue-based policy projects while working with mentors and policy professionals. The program also includes workshops, discussions, and capacity-building sessions focused on public policy, legislative processes, and research methodologies. Interns gain experience analyzing government schemes, public institutions, and contemporary policy challenges while developing research and writing skills. The internship is designed for students interested in understanding how policy is researched, drafted, and evaluated in practice.
14. The Borgen Project Writer/Journalist Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid | college credit available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 12-week program; start dates available monthly
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Open to high school students and recent graduates | no prior experience required
The Borgen Project’s Writer/Journalist Internship is a remote, part-time program focused on journalism, advocacy, and global poverty issues. As an intern, you’ll spend approximately 12 hours per week researching topics, writing articles for BORGEN Magazine or The Borgen Project Blog, and contributing to content that raises awareness about poverty and development challenges. In addition to writing, you’ll support advocacy initiatives aimed at influencing public policy and participate in fundraising efforts by creating and managing a personal campaign. The internship is designed to provide practical experience in research, journalism, and nonprofit communications while allowing you the flexibility to complete work on your own schedule. If needed, you can work in advance and complete the program in less than 12 weeks. The program combines journalism and advocacy work, giving you exposure to both content creation and nonprofit policy initiatives.
Summary
This list covers 14 remote law internships for high school students, ranging from fully free, self-paced job simulations like the Leo Cussen Family Law and Criminal Law programs to paid, highly selective placements like the Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program. The programs divide clearly between those focused on human rights and policy advocacy, like The Borgen Project, Generation Human Rights, and the NGO placements in Morocco and Tanzania, and those centered on legal research and skill-building through simulated casework, like Oxford Scholastica and the two Leo Cussen simulations. Several programs, including the Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship, are restricted to specific regions or citizenship status, so students outside those criteria should prioritize the fully remote, globally accessible options like Ladder, The Intern Group, and the Leo Cussen simulations instead.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. I want a quick, low-commitment way to explore law before committing to a longer program. Are there options like that here?
Yes. The two Leo Cussen job simulations through Forage are self-paced and require only a few hours total, making them ideal for testing your interest in family law or criminal law without a major time commitment. The Borgen Project's internships require a more sustained weekly commitment but are flexible enough to complete faster than the standard 12 weeks if you prefer to front-load the work.
2. Several programs place me with organizations abroad, like the NGO internships in Morocco and Tanzania. Is this a legitimate way to build legal experience, or is it more general volunteer work?
Both genuinely involve legal-adjacent work, including legal research, drafting reports, and preparing documents related to human rights cases, rather than purely general volunteering. That said, they're run through a paid internship placement service rather than being fully free like some of the U.S.-based programs, so it's worth weighing the cost against a domestic alternative like Generation Human Rights or The Borgen Project if budget is a concern.
3. I'm specifically interested in government and federal-level work rather than nonprofit advocacy. Is there a program for that?
Yes, the Virtual Student Federal Service connects you directly with U.S. federal agencies like the Department of State, USAID, and the EPA for a full academic year of remote project work. It does require U.S. citizenship and enrollment in an accredited program, so if you don't meet that criteria, USC Dornsife's Center for the Political Future offers a similar policy-research experience focused on legislative analysis without federal enrollment restrictions.