12 Undergraduate Law Internships Worth Considering
Undergraduate years are formative for most students. This is the time to learn new things, build meaningful connections, and explore potential future careers. Internships are a great way to do all three. Many undergraduate internships allow you to gain direct experience in your field of choice. Participating in an internship while in college can boost your employability, skill development, and career preparedness. Such practical experiences expose you to the latest developments in the industry.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in law, several internships run throughout the year in different specializations. They can help you network with lawyers and understand the daily requirements of the legal profession.
Here is a list of 12 law internships you should consider as an undergraduate!
1. Supreme Court Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: None
Deadline: June 15 for fall internships, October 15 for spring internships, and March 1 for summer internships
Duration: Approximately 15 weeks for fall and spring internships and a minimum of 12 weeks for summer internships
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least two semesters and are either actively enrolled in an academic program concurrent with the internship term, returning to a degree program immediately following the internship term, or participating in a federal fellowship program.
In this internship, you get to choose from among the various offices of the Supreme Court based on your interests. These offices are the Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice, Office of the Curator, Public Information Office, and Office of the Clerk. Each office involves different tasks and responsibilities. Internships are offered during the summer, spring, and fall terms. A major perk of interning with the Supreme Court is attending court sessions and seminars organized by the Supreme Court fellows. Although you do not get to work on cases or with the Justices, practical experience and knowledge about the workings of the Supreme Court make this a compelling opportunity.
2. National District Attorneys Association
Location: Arlington, Virginia. Remote internships are also available.
Cost: None
Deadline: October 15 for spring internships, February 15 for summer, and June 15 for fall
Duration: January–May for spring, June–August for summer, and September–December for fall
Eligibility: Undergraduates or master’s level students and recent graduates can apply.
This flexible internship with the National District Attorneys Association is for those interested in criminal justice policy. Whether you work full-time or part-time, you can explore different topics throughout the semester-long program. This internship will allow you to work with the NDAA staff on issues such as child abuse, animal abuse, domestic violence, gangs, gun violence, legislative and policy issues, and traffic law. In addition, you will carry out research and write articles for Prosecutor Magazine. These spheres of work blend the theoretical with the practical to provide a holistic understanding of criminal justice policy.
Location: Remote
Cost: None
Deadline: Applications will open in October
Duration: Fall (August/September–December), spring (January–April/May), and summer (May/June–August/September)
Eligibility: Although juniors and seniors are preferred, all undergraduate students are eligible to apply.
The Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice of the American Bar Association is dedicated to civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights issues. Selected undergraduate interns will work with the Section’s staff on policy and project development and implementation. Attending congressional hearings, Supreme Court arguments, and meetings of civil liberties organizations, you will write reports on the proceedings and articles for the Section’s newsletters. You will also research and track social justice issues in terms of legal and legislative happenings. You may get to develop a project outside of these responsibilities, depending on your interests. You must dedicate at least 15 hours during the spring and fall semesters and 20 hours during the summer.
4. ABA Center for Global Programs Internship/Fellowship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: None
Deadline: On a rolling basis
Duration: Dates are flexible but run during the spring, summer, and fall semesters.
Eligibility: Undergraduates or recent graduates of international relations, political science, international development, or a related field may apply.
Much like the previous internship offered by the American Bar Association, this one allows students to understand international development and the international rule of law. Although an intern’s specific responsibilities will depend on their role and the assigned department, you can expect to be involved with different tasks related to program implementation. The internship includes field trips to DC legal destinations, such as the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Supreme Court, and Library of Congress, and lunches with ABA ROLI staff and guest speakers.
5. DC Public Defender Service’s Criminal Law Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: None
Deadline: November 2 for winter/spring, February 1 for summer, and February 3 for fall
Duration: The internship runs numerous times in every session, each lasting 12 weeks.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students studying any major can apply.
The DC Public Defender Service’s internship program is regarded highly by The Washington Post and the Princeton Review for the hands-on experience it provides to interns. Interns are assigned to a specific division, such as trial, special litigation, parole, or civil legal services, where they will perform investigative duties. These duties involve interviewing clients and witnesses, taking witness statements, preparing courtroom exhibits, photographing, serving subpoenas, and much more. This internship is a way to get involved with criminal law processes and prepare for graduate work or employment.
6. Manhattan District Attorney's Office
Location: Manhattan, New York City
Cost: None. Summer interns receive a salary of $560/week.
Deadline: February 1 for summer internships, May 15 for fall, and November 15 for spring
Duration: 12 hours a week for 12 weeks for semester internships and full time for nine weeks during the summer, starting on the first Monday in June.
Eligibility: Students must have completed at least one year of undergraduate study for the semester internship and a minimum of two years for the summer internship.
This internship, which is related to the criminal justice system and local law enforcement in Manhattan, invites undergraduates to work closely with Assistant District Attorneys and other staff. Your tasks will include compiling and analyzing legal and non-legal documents, assisting in investigations, trials, and hearings, conducting research, and observing witness interviews. Summer and semester internships are different in a few ways. For example, the summer internship involves educational programs and activities, such as a weekly lecture series, lunch discussions, and a mock appellate argument exercise.
7. US Department of the Interior Legal Internship / Externship Program
Location: The role is available in various cities
Cost: None
Deadline: May 1 for fall, August 1 for spring, and October 5 for summer
Duration: Depends on the session
Eligibility: Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled at least half-time.
The Office of the Solicitor oversees the legal matters of the Department of the Interior. This internship with the Office offers students the chance to advise agencies on legal matters and participate in complex civil litigation. You will conduct legal research on environmental and administrative law, as well as issues involving Indian law. Other tasks include drafting legal memoranda, briefs, and motions, and assisting with discovery in active federal cases. Interns may also get the opportunity to participate in conference calls and strategy sessions with other agency counsel and attend hearings and meetings in Washington, DC.
8. Connecticut Office of the Attorney General
Location: Connecticut
Cost: None
Deadline: July 19 for fall, October 31 for spring, and February 18 for summer
Duration: Depends on the session
Eligibility: Graduate and law students, paralegals, undergraduates, and high school students may apply.
In this internship, you will learn in a public office and gain hands-on experience. The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General has 16 sections, namely, antitrust; general litigation; child protection; collections/child support; consumer advocacy; consumer protection; environment; employment rights, workers compensation, and labor; financial and revenue services; government program fraud; health and education; privacy and data security; public safety; special litigation; and infrastructure and economic development. There are many fields and topics for you to explore within these departments.
9. National Immigrant Justice Center
Location: In-person and remote opportunities are available.
Cost: None
Deadline: October for summer, November for spring, and May for fall
Duration: 400 hours full-time during the summer and 200 hours part-time during the semester.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law students. Undergraduates are not eligible for the spring internship.
The NIJC received two grants from the Public Interest Law Initiative for their Asylum and LGBT Projects. Their internships include legal and non-legal services, such as development and communications. Interns selected for the legal internships typically interview clients to gather case-related information, input this information into the database, and prepare case summaries and legal immigration documents and materials. You will also conduct follow-up interviews, helping NIJC attorneys prepare for interviews with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and hearings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review.
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, and Washington, DC. Hybrid and remote internships are available.
Cost: None
Deadline: Varies depending on the session.
Duration: Begins within one week after classes start and ends one week before exams or the term closes for spring and fall internships. 8–10 weeks for summer internships.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law students with a strong academic record and diverse international experience may apply.
The internship with Lawyers Without Borders allows interns to work with attorneys and staff on the organization’s rule-of-law programming. Interns research and write about various topics, such as wildlife crime, counterterrorism, and election law. Additionally, you will be expected to create and edit educational material and resource documents, input and analyze data, and help run programs by providing logistical support.
11. The Advocates for Human Rights
Location: May be in-person in Minnesota or remote
Cost: None
Deadline: On a rolling basis during specific periods, depending on the session
Duration: 8 hours per week during term time and full-time in the summer
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law students may apply.
Undergraduate students can explore the field of human rights by interning with The Advocates for Human Rights. Interns will work on established programs and projects. The organization aims to train the next generation of human rights defenders. Daily tasks during the internship involve research, education, and advocacy.
Location: Lynn, Lawrence, and Lowell, Massachusetts
Cost: None
Deadline: On a rolling basis throughout the year. Recruitment for summer internships usually runs from January to May.
Duration: Spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law students may apply.
Located in Northeastern Massachusetts, Northeast Legal Aid offers internships throughout the year. You can work in any of the different units offered, including housing, criminal record sealing, consumer, employment, public benefits, family, elder, Cambodian outreach, medical/legal partnership, development, and low-income taxpayer clinic. You will be responsible for conducting intakes and collecting factual information, researching and writing projects, appearing in court if you have the required 3:03 certification, and directing client contacts and case management. Summer interns will benefit from attending learning lunches, intern meetings, and group events.
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