15 Free Law Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 5 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student interested in law, a summer program can help you explore the field before committing to it in college. These programs introduce you to topics including constitutional principles, criminal justice, civil rights, and public policy while helping you develop core skills such as analytical writing, close reading, and clear argumentation. Free programs make this exploration more accessible, allowing you to gain meaningful academic and professional exposure without adding financial strain.
What are the benefits of a law program?
Participating in a law-focused summer experience helps you understand how legal systems operate and how attorneys build and defend arguments. You may analyze case law, review evidence, and participate in mock trials or structured debates to strengthen your reasoning and communication skills. Many programs also provide mentorship and professional guidance, helping you clarify whether a future in law aligns with your academic and career goals.
Below, we’ve narrowed down 15 free law summer programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online research programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; typically, 12–18 students per seminar
Dates: June 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores at least 15 years old by the program’s start and not older than 17 years old by the program’s end
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is an academically intensive summer program centered on critical social justice themes. You take part in college-level seminars that examine topics such as legal systems, historical patterns of injustice, and contemporary social issues through structured discussion and analysis. The program emphasizes close reading, sustained debate, and analytical writing to strengthen your critical thinking and argumentation skills. You also collaborate with peers on projects that explore complex societal questions from multiple perspectives. The program also focuses on community engagement and shared responsibility through group activities and service-oriented work.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, 1:1 mentor-student ratio
Dates: Multiple 12 weeks to 1-year cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students who are typically from low-income families
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation's Breakthrough Scholar Program offers you a fully funded opportunity to conduct independent academic research under the guidance of a PhD mentor. You can explore topics across STEM, social sciences, and humanities, including astrophysics, data science, economics, and history. Over 12 weeks, you will engage in nine one-on-one mentorship sessions, attend writing workshops, and author a college-level paper to present at a symposium. This program’s unique value lies in providing pro bono access to world-class experts from top universities, removing financial barriers to advanced learning. Ultimately, you will also become eligible for a UCSD Extended Studies credit.
Location: New York City Bar Association, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend ranges from $17–$22/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 35 students
Dates: July 24 – August 27
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: New York City public high school students (usually rising juniors and seniors) at least 16 years old by June 1
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP) places high school students in professional legal environments for a structured summer internship experience. You work full-time in settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, nonprofit organizations, or government offices, supporting attorneys with legal research, case preparation, and administrative tasks. The program includes pre-employment training and professional development workshops that introduce workplace expectations and core legal skills. Alongside daily work, you gain exposure to how different legal institutions operate in practice. The program also emphasizes mentorship and professional networking, allowing you to build relationships with legal professionals that can extend beyond the summer.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 30–40 students
Dates: July 19–26
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and students graduating in the application year in the U.S. who have a minimum 2.5 GPA
In this program, you live on a college campus, often at Georgetown University, while participating in workshops focused on law, civic engagement, and professional skills. The program includes visits to major legal and government institutions, such as courts, legislative buildings, and federal agencies, providing you with direct exposure to how the legal system operates. You interact with attorneys, law professors, and judges, gaining insight into different legal careers and pathways. A core component is a moot court exercise in which you work in teams to prepare and argue a mock case, building skills in legal reasoning, persuasion, and public speaking.
Location: Penn Carey School of Law, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 20 students
Dates: Four weeks beginning the first Monday in July
Application Deadline: Typically late February
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-grade students attending high school in Philadelphia (and surrounding counties) with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program at the University of Pennsylvania is a short-term college-preparation and career-exploration program that includes a law-focused track through Penn’s Carey Law School. You spend the program on Penn’s campus, engaging in lectures and workshops that introduce the pathway to becoming a lawyer and the role of law in society. The experience combines academic learning with practical skill-building, including analyzing legal cases, practicing argumentation and negotiation, and observing local legal institutions. In addition to field-specific exposure, the program provides broader college-readiness support, including guidance on the admissions process and academic preparation.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 30–40 students each year
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 19
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Atlanta-area high schools
The Atlanta Bar’s Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) offers a structured introduction to the legal profession for high school students in the Atlanta area. It places you in a legal setting such as a law firm, court, or government legal office, where you work under the supervision of legal professionals. Your responsibilities may include organizing documents, conducting basic legal research, and assisting with case preparation. In addition to daily work, the program includes weekly enrichment activities such as guest lectures and visits to courts or law schools. A distinctive academic component is an essay project that requires you to analyze a U.S. Supreme Court case, strengthening research, writing, and critical thinking skills.
Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 25–30 students each summer
Dates: June 29 – July 31
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors residing in Manhattan
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program offers a structured introduction to the criminal justice system through hands-on exposure at the New York County District Attorney’s Office. You participate in workshops on criminal justice reform, policing practices, civic engagement, and leadership. The program allows you to observe court proceedings, learn how criminal cases are investigated and prosecuted, and interact with professionals across the office, including assistant district attorneys and investigators. A central component is a mock trial, where you work in teams to prepare and argue a simulated case, practising courtroom roles and legal reasoning. This experience helps develop public speaking, analytical thinking, and an understanding of legal procedures.
Location: Boston, Worcester, and Springfield, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 50–60 students across all three sites
Dates: 6 weeks, typically in July – August
Application Deadline: Late March/early April
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in 10, 11, and 12 grades in Boston, Worcester, or Springfield high schools
The Judicial Youth Corps is a summer internship program run by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court that introduces you to how courts operate in practice. You are placed in a local courthouse, where you rotate through departments and observe daily judicial proceedings. Your experience may include assisting clerks, observing hearings or trials, and interacting with judges, attorneys, probation officers, and court staff to understand their roles. Alongside courthouse work, you attend weekly educational sessions led by legal professionals that cover topics such as court structure, criminal procedure, juvenile justice, and the jury system. The program also includes activities such as mock trials, legal research exercises, and court visits that reinforce core concepts.
Location: Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $15/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 25–30 students each summer
Dates: 7 weeks, beginning in late June
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors at Baltimore City public high schools
Law Links is a summer internship program in Baltimore that places you in law firms and legal agencies to gain firsthand experience in legal workplaces. It combines daily work in professional legal settings with a structured educational component called the Law & Leadership Institute. During the week, you support attorneys and staff through tasks such as case preparation, legal research, court observation, and office operations. You also participate in regular seminar sessions focused on leadership development, workplace professionalism, financial literacy, and foundational legal concepts. The program begins with an orientation held at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law to introduce core legal ideas and professional expectations.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 100 students
Dates: June 15 – July 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Currently high school sophomores or juniors attending a Title I high school in Los Angeles County; Neither parent graduated from a four-year college and is eligible to work in the U.S.
Expanding Horizons Internships is a Los Angeles–based program that combines civic education, college preparation, and workplace experience for high school students. Run by Constitutional Rights Foundation (now known as Teach Democracy), the program partners with local businesses, law firms, government offices, and nonprofit organizations to place students in summer internships aligned with their interests. You begin with spring seminars that focus on professional skills, civic engagement, and workplace readiness. This preparation is followed by a multi-week summer internship at a host organization, where you contribute to day-to-day work. Students interested in law are often placed in legal settings such as law firms, courts, or legal aid organizations.
Location: Various private law firms, corporate law divisions, or governmental agencies in Memphis, Tennessee
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 60–75 students
Dates: June 1–26
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors as of August, who are residents of or attending a high school in Shelby County, TN and are first-time applicants
The Memphis Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) provides you with a firsthand look at the legal profession through placements in local firms and government offices. You’ll spend 60 hours working with a mentor, exploring topics like corporate law, professional etiquette, and the judicial system. During your internship, you will assist with case files, shadow attorneys in depositions, and observe live courtroom proceedings. A unique feature includes mandatory Friday seminars where you participate in mock trials and discuss college preparation with local experts. These activities help you master vital skills like professional communication, strategic thinking, and attention to detail.
Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 20 students
Dates: 8 weeks (generally June – August)
Application Deadline: Typically, early March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who attend schools supported by CIS of Houston
This eight-week program from Communities in Schools of Houston places high school students in legal workplaces across the Houston area, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations. You work alongside legal professionals and assist with day-to-day tasks, including organizing case files, preparing materials for meetings or trials, conducting basic research, and observing court proceedings or client interactions. Through this hands-on experience, you gain insight into how legal organizations function in practice. The program also emphasizes professional development, with guidance on workplace etiquette, communication, and networking. Throughout the summer, mentors and program staff support your academic and career growth, helping you connect the internship experience to long-term educational goals.
Location: Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans, LA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $250 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15–20 students
Dates: June 8–26
Application Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: High school students entering the 11th or 12th grade in the Fall of the program year
Suit Up for the Future is a short summer program in New Orleans that introduces you to legal education and legal careers. You begin with a condensed law school–style experience, attending mini-classes on core legal concepts, practicing legal writing and analysis, and visiting law schools and courts. The program also includes a job-shadowing or internship component at local law offices, courts, or legal organizations, allowing you to observe legal work in practice. Throughout the program, attorneys and judges share candid insights into their careers, helping you reflect on whether law is the right path for you.
Location: Nashville, TN
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $10–15/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 10–15 students each summer
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: High school seniors and rising seniors who have a 2.0 GPA
The Nashville Bar Association’s Summer Intern Program places you in a legal workplace in the Nashville area for a structured summer experience. You work in settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices, where you assist with tasks including organizing case files, supporting legal research, observing court proceedings, and handling office administration. In addition to daily work, the program provides mentorship and exposure to various legal career paths, often through group activities such as courthouse visits and networking events. The program is designed to provide practical insight into the legal profession while supporting greater diversity within the field.
Location: Dallas, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 25–35 students
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – July 3; Session 2: July 6–31; Full Session: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Dallas ISD high school juniors during the current school year; Academic average of 85 or above, no more than 10 absences
The Nashville Bar Association’s Summer Intern Program places you in a legal workplace in the Nashville area for a structured summer experience. You work in settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices, where you assist with tasks like organizing case files, supporting legal research, observing court proceedings, and handling office responsibilities. In addition to daily work, the program provides mentorship and exposure to various legal career paths, often through group activities such as courthouse visits and networking events. The program is designed to provide practical insight into the legal profession while supporting greater diversity within the field.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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