15 Summer Law Internships for Undergraduates
If you are an undergraduate student interested in law, consider doing an internship to explore the field. Internships help you strengthen your academic profile and resume and improve your employability prospects. You’ll work on research tasks, document drafting, administrative coordination, and supervised project work. Summer law internships for undergraduates provide early insight into how legal research, case preparation, compliance review, policy analysis, and client-facing processes operate in professional environments.
Why Should I Do a Summer Law Internship in College?
A summer law internship allows you to apply classroom learning to legal materials, structured documentation, and professional research workflows. You’ll gain exposure to how attorneys, policy teams, courts, and legal organizations manage case information, deadlines, and procedural requirements. These experiences strengthen your resume by demonstrating applied legal knowledge and professional reliability. Working with supervisors and legal professional staff can give you valuable references for future job or graduate school applications.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 summer law internships for undergraduates based on program credibility and the assigned responsibilities.
1. American Civil Liberties Union Internship
Location: New York, Washington, D.C. with virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: Free. Stipend offered for specific positions
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 10 to 12 weeks from the starting date
Application deadline: Varies based on available opportunities
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students
The ACLU internship program supports the organization’s work on civil liberties and civil rights through department-based student roles. Interns contribute to areas such as legal advocacy, policy, communications, research, and organizing, depending on organizational needs. Work typically involves conducting research, preparing written materials, organizing case or policy documentation, and assisting with active projects related to ongoing campaigns or litigation. These tasks reflect how large advocacy organizations coordinate legal strategy, policy analysis, and public education across teams. Internships are offered year-round and may be remote, hybrid, or in-person, with scope varying depending on the department and term.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type. Financial aid is available. No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%. Around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. Spring (January). Summer (May). Fall (September). Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who work for 8–12 weeks and commit 10–20 hours per week
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week, fully virtual internship that connects students with early-stage startups for structured project-based work. You are matched with a startup based on stated interests and availability, with projects commonly focused on research, market analysis, product development, operations, or strategy. Throughout the program, you receive guidance from a dedicated ladder coach and a company mentor, often a founder or senior team member at the host startup. Weekly responsibilities include completing assigned deliverables, tracking progress against milestones, and participating in scheduled check-ins with both mentors. Project scopes are defined at the beginning of the program and follow a fixed timeline tied to measurable outcomes. Apply now!
3. American Bar Association Undergraduate Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors
The American Bar Association Civil Rights and Social Justice Section internship program supports the section’s work on civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights policy initiatives. You assist with monitoring legal and legislative developments, reviewing policy updates, and preparing short written summaries or reports for internal use and publications. Responsibilities may include attending virtual hearings, briefings, or professional events and documenting key discussion points. You also contribute to communications tasks such as drafting social media content and supporting the maintenance of the section’s digital platforms. Independent or small-scale research projects may be assigned based on organizational priorities and available time. Internships are conducted remotely, with weekly time commitments varying depending on the academic term or summer session.
4. Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia’s Internship and Summer Associate Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law students in good academic standing
The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia internship and summer associate program supports legal work across the district’s government and public interest practice areas. You contribute to ongoing matters by reviewing records, compiling background materials, and preparing internal documents used by legal teams. Additional responsibilities may include tracking filings, organizing evidence, summarizing proceedings, and responding to research requests related to active cases. Participation in internal briefings and informational sessions helps connect individual assignments to broader case strategy and office operations. Daily responsibilities vary depending on division assignment and project needs throughout the term.
5. New York District Attorney’s College Internship
Location: New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $560 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 9 weeks starting in June
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current college sophomores and juniors who have completed a minimum of 2 years of college by the start of the program
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office College Internship Program introduces undergraduate students to office functions related to criminal prosecution and case administration. Most of the work involves handling case materials, organizing records, and supporting investigative follow-ups alongside attorneys and staff. Depending on the assignment, responsibilities include courtroom observation, note preparation, community initiative support, and basic research. The summer program includes scheduled lectures and simulated appellate exercises integrated into the program schedule. During the academic year, participation follows a consistent weekly schedule over a fixed term, while summer participation runs full-time for a defined duration.
6. Supreme Court Internship Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 8 - 12 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed two semesters of undergraduate study and be actively enrolled in an academic program during the internship term, or be returning to a degree program immediately after the internship term, or be participating in a federal fellowship program following the internship term
The Supreme Court of the United States Internship Program offers undergraduate students exposure to administrative and institutional operations within the Court. Daily work focuses on supporting internal offices rather than participating in judicial decision-making, which defines the nature of tasks assigned within the term. Typical responsibilities include responding to public inquiries, organizing records, preparing correspondence, and assisting with background research, depending on office placement. Assignments may be based on areas such as public information, clerk operations, curatorial services, or executive administration, with responsibilities aligned to each office’s scope. Court session observation and scheduled seminars complement this office work by providing context on court procedures and institutional history.
7. Koch Internship Program
Location: Remote or in person in various locations such as Washington, Georgia, Wyoming, and Kansas
Stipend: $5,500 (full time) or $3,300 (part time)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: May 25 - August 14
Application deadline: Rolling throughout April
Eligibility: U.S. authorized undergraduate or graduate students
The Koch Internship Program is a 12-week internship that combines professional work with structured programming focused on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and the rule of law. As part of the program, you work at a nonprofit partner organization, performing substantive tasks such as policy research, communications support, program management, or other project-based work aligned with the organization's mission. Alongside placement responsibilities, the program includes a two-day in-person summit at Stand Together’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and biweekly virtual sessions designed to connect foundational principles with practical problem-solving and professional skills development. You will also engage in guided discussions, guest lectures, and skills training on topics such as effective writing and career exploration. Project scope varies depending on the host organization and is intended to reflect real contributions to ongoing initiatives.
8. OCA Summer Internship Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: $5,250 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Full time undergraduates who have completed their first year, or recent graduates within one year of graduation
The OCA National Summer Internship Program places undergraduate students in full-time roles with external organizations and structured cohort activities in Washington, D.C. Over ten weeks, you can work at host sites such as federal agencies, congressional offices, nonprofits, or for-profit corporations on tasks aligned with operational, policy, communications, or advocacy support. In addition to placement work, the program includes mandatory weekly “Sama Sama” sessions where interns discuss AANHPI issues and participate in workshops, attend full-day leadership training, and attend a group advocacy day involving meetings with congressional offices. All interns also support and attend the OCA National Convention, which involves logistical event tasks alongside networking and cohort engagement.
9. CAPAL’s Public Service Internship Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June – August
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
The CAPAL Public Service Internship & Scholarship Program is a structured leadership development and internship initiative that places you in a public service role with a government agency, nonprofit organization, or community-based institution. During the spring, summer, or fall term, you work directly with your host organization on projects that may include policy research, legislative analysis, communications support, community outreach, and administrative coordination. Your day-to-day responsibilities depend on your placement and are aligned with the organization’s ongoing initiatives. In parallel with your internship, you participate in structured cohort programming that includes leadership workshops, professional development sessions, and discussions on public service and civic engagement. You also have the opportunity to interact with students from across the country through seminars and networking events held throughout the term.
10. Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law Summer Internship Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 9 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in philosophy, political science, international relations, and related fields
The Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law Summer Internship Program at the University of Pennsylvania offers a nine-week program for students to engage with ethical and rule-of-law issues in national security, governance, and democratic practice. You contribute to research and writing projects, including preparing background research, drafting blog posts, and assisting with policy briefs or academic publications. You will also support the planning of conferences, workshops, and public programs that examine ethical and legal challenges. Work is conducted in coordination with center leadership and subject matter experts, offering insight into how ethical considerations inform discussion and decision-making in public policy and security matters.
11. Womble Intellectual Property (IP) Internship Program
Location: Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer, typically starting in late May or early June
Application deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Upper-level undergraduate and Master’s students
The Womble Bond Dickinson Intellectual Property Internship Program is a 10-week summer program in Charlotte, North Carolina, that introduces students with science or technical backgrounds to intellectual property work at a law firm. You assist with tasks such as reviewing claim rejections and objections, conducting prior art searches, and adapting European claims for U.S. patent applications, providing hands-on experience with patent prosecution processes. Projects are coordinated under the guidance of a mentor and other IP professionals, offering structured feedback throughout the term. The schedule also includes professional development sessions and firmwide networking events to help you explore different practice areas and connect with colleagues across offices. Participation combines independent assignments with team-based collaboration, reflecting IP work within law firms.
12. Northeast Legal Aid Internships
Location: Lynn, Lawrence, or Lowell, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: May
Eligibility: Law and undergraduate students
The Northeast Legal Aid Internship Program offers undergraduate and law students exposure to civil legal services and advocacy work in Northeastern Massachusetts. In this program, you support staff across areas such as housing, criminal record sealing, consumer protection, public benefits, family law, elder law, Cambodian outreach, medical-legal partnership, community development, and the low-income Taxpayer Clinic, with responsibilities that vary depending on the placement. Typical tasks include conducting client intakes and fact‑gathering, managing case materials, performing legal research and writing, and assisting with unit‑specific projects under supervision. You will also attend unit and all‑staff meetings, participate in court observation, and join group learning activities such as scheduled learning lunches and intern cohort events during the summer. Mentorship and supervision are provided by attorneys and unit supervisors to connect daily tasks to broader goals of legal aid work.
13. Public Interest Law Center at Harvard Law School
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Spring, summer, and fall terms; exact dates vary by term
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law students
Public Interest Law Center Legal Internships place students at the Public Interest Law Center, a nonprofit legal organization that focuses on civil rights and social justice cases. You will work on legal matters related to education, voting rights, housing, employment, health care, and environmental justice. Your daily responsibilities will include legal research and writing, drafting briefs and pleadings, reviewing discovery documents, preparing policy memoranda, and assisting with client and witness interviews. You will also have opportunities to observe court proceedings and attend strategy meetings with attorneys to see how cases are handled in practice.
14. The Advocates for Human Rights International Justice Program Internship
Location: Remote; hybrid possible in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies by term
Application deadline: Rolling during designated periods
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students interested in human rights research
The Advocates for Human Rights International Justice Program Internship places you within a nonprofit human rights organization that supports research, advocacy, and reporting on international human rights standards. You will conduct research on international law, human rights treaties, and country conditions to support reports submitted to the United Nations and other regional bodies. During the internship, you will compile information on rule of law issues, civil society activities, and state compliance with human rights standards, as well as assist staff and volunteers in drafting reports based on monitoring missions. You will also help maintain current information on organizational web pages and electronic networking platforms, and support planning, training, and materials for human rights monitoring projects.
15. Public Defender Service Criminal Law Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C., USA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Year-round sessions
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
The Criminal Law Internship Program (CLIP) places you with the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, a public defender office that represents individuals facing criminal, delinquency, and mental health system involvement. You will participate in a fast-paced investigative internship where you work closely with staff attorneys and investigative specialists rather than performing clerical tasks. Over a period of a minimum 12 weeks, you will work directly with attorneys to complete investigative tasks that support legal defense work in the community. Your responsibilities include engaging with clients and completing activities that contribute to case preparation. You will also have opportunities to be available in the District of Columbia community and court settings during your internship term.
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