15 Summer Legal Internships for Undergraduates in 2026
If you are an undergraduate student interested in law, a summer legal internship can be a valuable way to explore the field beyond the classroom. Legal internships often combine practical experience with mentorship from attorneys, legal researchers, judges, or policy professionals, helping you build foundational skills while gaining insight into how legal systems operate. As a participant, you may assist with legal research, draft documents, observe court proceedings, analyze case law, or contribute to public policy and advocacy work. These experiences can help you better understand different legal pathways while strengthening skills in writing, critical thinking, and professional communication.
If you’re more interested in general summer internships, then check out a list of free programs here! Or if you’re more interested in looking at STEM-based offerings, you can see a list here!
Why should I do a Summer Legal internship in college?
A wide range of law firms, government agencies, nonprofits, and legal organizations are expected to offer summer internships for undergraduates across areas like corporate law, criminal justice, public interest, international law, and policy. Whether you’re interested in exploring legal practice, preparing for law school, or gaining exposure to advocacy and the justice system, these internships can help you build relevant experience and professional connections early on.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 summer legal internships for undergraduates in 2026.
Key takeaways
This list gathers 15 summer legal internships for undergraduates spanning federal courts, government agencies, law firms, and public interest organizations, with standout hosts including the ACLU, the Supreme Court, and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
Pay varies widely here, from unpaid government and nonprofit placements up to a $7,500 stipend for a full-time policy fellowship and $5,250 for a leadership-focused public service program.
One program on this list is restricted to a narrow set of majors, so pre-law students outside those specific fields should double-check eligibility, and a few other entries require being based in or relocating to a specific city.
Washington, D.C. hosts the largest concentration of programs on this list, while a handful, including Ladder and one nationwide fellowship, offer remote or hybrid placements that don't require relocation.
The earliest deadline falls in early January for one D.C.-based public service program, with several more clustering into February and March, so it's worth applying well ahead of the summer internship cycle if a government or public-interest role interests you.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and 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 remote experience that pairs students with early-stage startups for structured, project-based internships. Based on your interests and availability, you’re matched with a startup where you may work on projects related to research, market analysis, product development, operations, or strategy. Throughout the program, you’ll receive support from both a dedicated Ladder Coach and a company mentor, who is often a founder or senior team member. Interns are expected to complete weekly deliverables, monitor progress through defined milestones, and participate in regular check-ins. Each project is scoped at the start of the internship and follows a set timeline focused on clear outcomes.
2. American Civil Liberties Union Internship
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S
Cost/Stipend: Some roles are paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Opportunities typically run 10–12 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by office/program
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students
The ACLU’s summer internship opportunities give you the chance to explore legal advocacy, civil rights, and public policy through one of the nation’s leading constitutional rights organizations. Depending on the specific role, you may support attorneys and advocacy teams through legal research, policy analysis, campaign support, or civil liberties initiatives focused on issues like voting rights, criminal justice reform, disability rights, or free speech. These internships can be especially valuable if you’re interested in public interest law, social justice, or government policy rather than corporate legal work.
3. American Bar Association Undergraduate Internships
Location: Washington, D.C. (with some hybrid/remote options)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
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 ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Internship gives you the opportunity to explore legal advocacy, public policy, and civil rights work through one of the country’s largest legal organizations. During the internship, you’ll research legal and legislative developments, assist with policy and project implementation, attend meetings and events related to civil liberties, and contribute written reports or communications. You may also support broader initiatives in human rights, social justice, and legal reform while strengthening your research, writing, and policy analysis skills.
4. Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia’s Internship and Summer Associate Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Spring: November 30 | Summer: February 14 | Fall: July 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia’s internship and summer associate program offers students the opportunity to support legal work across its government and public-interest divisions. You may assist with active matters by reviewing records, compiling background information, and preparing internal documents for legal teams. Responsibilities may also include tracking filings, organizing evidence, summarizing case developments, and responding to research requests. Internal briefings and informational sessions help connect day-to-day assignments to broader legal strategy, with duties varying based on division placement and project needs.
5. Supreme Court Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C
Cost/Stipend: Paid (varies by office)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; exact acceptance rate/cohort size not publicly specified
Dates: 8 – 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring: September 12, Summer: February 15, Fall: May 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate study
The Supreme Court of the United States Internship Program provides undergraduate students with exposure to the Court’s administrative and institutional functions. Interns support internal offices rather than judicial decision-making, with responsibilities that may include responding to public inquiries, organizing records, preparing correspondence, and conducting background research. Assignments vary depending on office placement, which may involve public information, clerk services, curatorial departments, or executive administration. In addition to office work, interns may observe Court sessions and attend seminars that provide deeper insight into Court procedures and history.
6. New York District Attorney’s College Internship
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $560/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: 9 weeks starting in June
Application Deadline: February 1 (Summer)
Eligibility: Current college sophomores and juniors who will have completed at least two years of college by the start of the internship
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office College Internship Program introduces undergraduate students to criminal prosecution and case administration within a major prosecutorial office. You will primarily support attorneys and staff by organizing case files, handling records, and assisting with investigative follow-up. Depending on placement, responsibilities may also include courtroom observation, note-taking, community outreach support, and basic legal research. The summer program incorporates lectures and simulated appellate exercises, while academic-year internships follow a structured weekly schedule over a fixed term.
7. Koch Internship Program
Location: Nationwide (remote, hybrid, and in-person placements through partner organizations across the U.S.)
Stipend: $7,500 (full-time) or $5,500 (part-time)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: May 28 – August 14 (summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions through April
Eligibility: U.S. authorized undergraduate or graduate students
The Koch Internship Program is a 12-week experience that combines professional work with structured educational programming centered on principles such as individual liberty, free markets, limited government, and the rule of law. You will be placed with nonprofit partner organizations, where you’ll contribute to projects in areas like policy research, communications, program management, or mission-driven operational work. Alongside day-to-day responsibilities, participants attend a two-day summit at Stand Together’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, as well as biweekly virtual sessions focused on practical problem-solving, professional development, and foundational ideas. The program also includes guest lectures, guided discussions, and skill-building workshops in areas such as writing and career planning.
8. CAPAL’s Public Service Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Minimum stipend of $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June – July
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students
The CAPAL Public Service Internship & Scholarship Program is a leadership-focused initiative that places students in public service internships with government agencies, nonprofits, or community organizations. Depending on placement, you may work on projects involving policy analysis, legislative research, communications, outreach, or administrative support. Responsibilities are tied to the host organization’s active priorities, giving participants hands-on public service experience. In addition to internship work, students join structured cohort programming that includes leadership training, professional development, civic engagement discussions, seminars, and networking opportunities with peers nationwide.
9. OCA Summer Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $5,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 4
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 internships with external organizations in Washington, D.C., including federal agencies, congressional offices, nonprofits, and corporations. Over ten weeks, you will support host organizations in policy, communications, advocacy, or operations. Beyond their placements, participants join weekly “Sama Sama” cohort sessions focused on AANHPI issues, leadership workshops, and professional development. The program also includes advocacy day activities with congressional offices and participation in the OCA National Convention, where interns contribute to event operations while building professional networks.
10. Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law Summer Internship Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Limited stipends available for students unable to secure outside funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in philosophy, political science, international relations, and related fields
Penn’s CERL Summer Internship Program gives you the opportunity to explore legal systems, ethics, and national security through a rigorous interdisciplinary internship rooted in the rule of law. During the program, you’ll work in teams to research legal and ethical issues affecting democratic governance, national security, and constitutional interpretation while contributing to policy briefings, academic publications, and public programming. You may also publish original work, support conferences, and interact with leading scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in law and governance.
11. Womble Intellectual Property (IP) Internship Program
Location: Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: 10-week summer internship
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Upper-level undergraduate and Master’s students
Womble Bond Dickinson’s IP Internship Program gives you the opportunity to explore intellectual property law through hands-on work inside a major law firm. During the program, you’ll work alongside patent attorneys, agents, and IP professionals while building technical and legal skills through projects such as prior art searches, patentability analyses, claim adaptations, and responses to office actions. You’ll also participate in professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and mentorship designed to help you better understand the range of careers available in intellectual property law.
12. Northeast Legal Aid Internships
Location: Lynn, Lawrence, Lowell, and Haverhill, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law students
Northeast Legal Aid’s Summer Internship Program gives you the opportunity to explore public interest law through direct exposure to client-centered legal advocacy. During the internship, you may assist with client intake, fact gathering, legal research, writing projects, case management, and court observation while working alongside attorneys serving low-income and elderly communities. You’ll also gain exposure to legal areas such as housing, family law, consumer advocacy, employment, and public benefits. The internship can be valuable if you’re interested in legal aid, nonprofit law, or community advocacy.
13. The Advocates for Human Rights International Justice Program Internship
Location: Minneapolis, MN (with remote and hybrid options available)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Varies by term
Application Deadline: March 31 (summer)
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law students
The Advocates for Human Rights International Justice Program Internship places you within a nonprofit organization focused on global human rights research, advocacy, and reporting. Interns support projects related to international law, human rights treaties, and country-specific conditions by conducting research used in reports submitted to the United Nations and regional human rights bodies. Responsibilities may include gathering information on rule-of-law issues, civil society developments, and government compliance with international standards, as well as assisting in drafting monitoring reports. Interns may also help maintain digital resources and support the planning, training, and materials development for human rights initiatives.
14. Public Defender Service Criminal Law Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: 12-week sessions in fall, summer, winter/spring
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students
The Criminal Law Internship Program (CLIP) places you with the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where you support legal defense work in criminal, juvenile, and mental health–related cases. Rather than focusing on administrative tasks, you will work directly with attorneys and investigative specialists in a hands-on, investigative environment. Over a minimum 12-week period, you may assist with client engagement, investigative assignments, and case preparation activities that contribute to active defense strategies. The program also offers exposure to community and court settings throughout Washington, D.C.
15. Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Internship Program
Location: Georgia (GBI offices)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: U.S. citizens age 18+ who are full-time college juniors, seniors, or first-year graduate students in criminal justice, forensic science, IT, science, or related fields
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internship Program gives you the opportunity to explore criminal justice and investigative systems through hands-on experience with one of Georgia’s primary law enforcement agencies. Depending on your placement, you may gain exposure to criminal investigations, forensic science, intelligence systems, or specialized law enforcement units while working alongside professionals in active justice environments. You’ll also strengthen analytical, observational, and professional skills while learning how investigative agencies support broader legal and criminal justice systems.
Questions students often ask about these internships
1. Do I need to already know I want to go to law school to apply to these internships?
No, most of these welcome students who are still exploring legal or policy-related careers. Genuine interest and strong research or writing skills matter more than having a fixed career plan already in place.
2. Some of these internships are unpaid. Are they still worth pursuing for a legal career?
Often yes, especially at well-known government offices or public interest organizations, since the experience and references can carry real weight on law school applications. If pay is a priority, several paid options here offer competitive stipends worth comparing first.
3. Do I need to be a certain class year to apply to these internships?
It varies by program. A few are limited to sophomores and juniors specifically, while others are open more broadly to any undergraduate or even graduate students. Check each listing's eligibility section before ruling yourself in or out.