15 Internships at Law Firms for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Nov 13, 2025
- 11 min read
College is the stage when you start moving beyond textbooks and lectures and begin thinking about what careers actually look like in practice. For students interested in law, one of the best ways to do that is through internships at law firms. These experiences let you step into a professional setting and see how the legal world functions on a daily basis.
What will I do as an undergraduate intern at a law firm?
As an intern, you might spend your time researching cases, drafting briefs, organizing documents, or observing how lawyers prepare for clients and court. It is also a chance to see the range of work that different practice areas cover, from corporate deals to litigation to regulatory compliance. This exposure not only helps you understand the profession but also gives you a clearer idea of which path within law might interest you.
To help you get started, here is a list of 15 law firm internships designed for undergraduates!
15 Internships at Law Firms for Undergraduates
Location: Casa Cornelia Law Center, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Some internships are paid; others may be for academic credit or unpaid with grant/scholarship options.
Application Deadline: Check website for updated postings
Dates: Fall (Aug — Dec), Spring (Jan — May), Summer (Jun — Aug) sessions; dates tentative yearly
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students can apply
Casa Cornelia Law Center offers semester-based internships for undergraduate students interested in immigration law and public service. As an Administrative Assistant intern, you will support legal teams working with asylum seekers, survivors of violence or trafficking, and noncitizen children. Your tasks may include managing case files, assisting with client communication, and helping with outreach and administrative work. You’ll attend a required orientation, and you may also join professional training or accompany staff to court hearings.
Location: Massachusetts (Multiple regional offices)
Cost/Stipend: Paid summer internships for undergraduates without other funding; academic year internships usually unpaid but may offer academic credit
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Summer internships are full-time (35 hours/week) for 10 weeks; academic year internships require minimum 10 hours/week, flexible according to class schedules
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students interested in public interest law and legal aid work.
Disclaimer: This opportunity is not at a law firm!
Community Legal Aid and Affiliate hosts undergraduate interns year-round, with most opportunities offered through its 10-week, full-time summer program. You will support civil legal services in housing, family law, consumer protection, and civil justice. Tasks include client intake, legal research, factual investigation, administrative support, and observing court proceedings. Academic year positions are part-time, usually 10 hours per week, and scheduled around classes. You will work alongside attorneys and staff in a nonprofit law firm setting.
Location: Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; academic credit may be pursued through institutions
Application Deadline: Check here for current announcements (typically posted biannually, application window open for two weeks)
Dates: Vary by session, generally summer and academic year internships available
Eligibility: The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic achievement, motivation, maturity, and discretion
Disclaimer: This opportunity is not at a law firm!
The Supreme Court Internship Program places you in offices such as the Counselor to the Chief Justice, the Curator, the Clerk, the Public Information Office, or the Marshal and Police Department. Your tasks may include research, administrative support, responding to public inquiries, and leading tours of the Court. You do not work directly on cases or with the Justices, but you gain an inside look at how the Court operates behind the scenes. All interns must pass a security background check, and the program introduces you to the legal and administrative functions of the judiciary at the highest level.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship with a $6,125 scholarship for the 10-week summer program; not paid if receiving outside funding
Application Deadline: Varies; typically applications open early in the year for summer internships
Dates: Summer internship is full-time for 10 weeks, generally starting in June
Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in public interest law and legal aid work in areas such as housing, immigration, family law, public benefits, consumer law, and systemic advocacy
Disclaimer: This opportunity is not at a law firm!
Legal Aid DC offers a 10-week summer internship for undergraduate students interested in civil legal services. You work 35 hours per week in a hybrid format, usually attending the office twice a week. You help with client intake, legal and factual research, drafting correspondence, organizing case files, and observing hearings and trials. You are placed in departments such as Intake and Development, supporting legal staff and operations. The program provides mentorship, professional development, and hands-on exposure to legal aid practice.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship; academic credit and outside funding options available
Application Deadline: Rolling admission; positions open until filled
Dates: Summer interns expected to work full-time for approximately 10 weeks; Fall and Spring interns work part-time (minimum 10–15 hours/week) with flexible schedules
Eligibility: Designed for undergraduate students and recent graduates with strong research and writing skills and a demonstrated commitment to civil rights, social justice, and racial justice
Disclaimer: This opportunity is not at a law firm!
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law offers volunteer internships for undergraduate students and recent graduates in fall, spring, and summer. You support legal teams working on civil rights issues such as criminal justice, education, economic justice, fair housing, hate prevention, public policy, and voting rights. You conduct legal and policy research, assist with client outreach and investigations, draft documents, and provide administrative support.
Location: New York City, NY (Remote Internship)
Cost/Stipend: Free; academic credit or external funding arrangements possible
Application Deadline: Rolling, with priority for fall term applicants; ideal internships last 10–12 weeks (September through November)
Dates: Part-time internship during fall semester, approximately 8–12 hours per week
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students interested in immigration law and advocacy for LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants
Disclaimer: This opportunity is not at a law firm!
Immigration Equality offers a fall part-time legal internship for undergraduate students. You work remotely 8–12 hours per week from September through November. You assist the legal team with services for LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants, help manage a nationwide pro bono program, and participate in intake interviews. Your tasks may include legal research, case support, and administrative duties. Fluency in French, Russian, or Spanish is preferred but not required. You must have access to a computer and phone.
Location: Washington, D.C. (some remote flexibility)
Cost/Stipend: $700 stipend a month for part time and $1100 stipend a month for full time.
Application Deadline: Varies; summer internships open early in the year. Email a resume and a cover letter to crewinterns@citizensforethics.org
Dates: Approximately 10–12 weeks during summer
Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in government ethics, lobbying, and legal policy advocacy
Disclaimer: This opportunity is not at a law firm!
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) offers part-time policy internships for undergraduate students in spring, summer, and fall. You work in a hybrid format, usually in the Washington, DC area, combining remote and in-office responsibilities. You focus on government ethics, democracy reform, and legislative accountability. You conduct federal policy research, draft reports and educational materials, monitor legislation, and support advocacy campaigns. The internship gives you experience in public data analysis, policy writing, and nonprofit legal advocacy.
Location: Legal Aid Society, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Some internships are paid; varies by program and funding availability
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by program cycle; typically announced seasonally for summer and academic year internships
Dates: Summer and academic year internships offered; duration varies by program (often 8 to 12 weeks)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law students interested in civil legal aid and public interest law
Disclaimer: This opportunity is not at a law firm!
At the Legal Aid Society of New York, you assist attorneys, paralegals, and investigators in units like housing, immigration, family law, juvenile rights, and criminal defense. Your tasks include legal and factual research, interviewing clients, drafting affidavits and case summaries, organizing case files, and preparing materials for hearings and trials. You may also observe court proceedings, attend staff meetings, and shadow attorneys during client consultations or field visits. Additional responsibilities include supporting outreach efforts, managing intake processes, and contributing to volunteer initiatives.
Location: Arlington, VA
Cost/Stipend: Paid fellowship/internship with a $7,000 stipend for the 10-week program
Application Deadline: The application will open in late December/early January. Applications are generally accepted through the end of February.
Dates: 10 weeks from early June through August
Eligibility: Open to rising junior and senior undergraduate students interested in the legal field
Disclaimer: This opportunity is not at a law firm!
The Arthur D. Hellman Fellowship in Public Interest Law is a full-time summer internship for rising undergraduate juniors and seniors, hosted by the Institute for Justice in Arlington, Virginia. You work closely with attorneys on legal research, case development, and policy advocacy related to constitutional rights and government accountability. During the ten-week program, you help identify potential cases, draft memoranda, and support litigation teams.
Location: Multiple US offices including Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships with competitive compensation
Application Deadline: Varies by office; typically early in the calendar year for summer internships
Dates: Summer internships, usually lasting 10 weeks
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students interested in exploring the legal profession in various practice areas such as corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance
The Womble Bond Dickinson Internship Program gives you the chance to work with attorneys and legal professionals in a law firm setting. You take part in legal research, draft memoranda, prepare documents, and support case management while learning how a law firm operates day to day. The program includes mentorship and training sessions to help you build professional skills. You also join networking events and team activities that connect you with colleagues across departments.
Location: Washington, D.C. (Dupont Circle)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; academic credit required; funding assistance available through school programs
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions throughout the year
Dates: Internships available year-round; duration varies depending on academic calendar and credit requirements
Eligibility: Open to first, second, and third-year law students, with a limited number of undergraduate students accepted
The Public Interest Law Internship at KKC is designed for undergraduate and law students seeking hands-on experience in whistleblower law and public interest litigation. You work directly with attorneys on legal research, drafting memoranda, trial preparation, and policy advocacy to strengthen whistleblower protections. You assist with active casework involving clients who have exposed fraud, safety violations, and other illegal conduct. You may also contribute to public policy initiatives and support legislative efforts related to whistleblower rights.
Location: Philadelphia, PA (Remote or In-person)
Cost: Unpaid; students are encouraged to secure outside funding or academic credit
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications accepted year-round
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer terms (specific dates arranged individually)
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and law students with strong writing, research, and analytical skills; interest in public interest law is essential
Disclaimer: This opportunity is not at a law firm!
The Amy Ginensky & Andy Rogoff Emerging Advocate Initiative is a legal internship program offered by the Public Interest Law Center in Philadelphia. You gain hands-on experience in civil rights litigation and advocacy, working on issues like education equity, environmental justice, housing rights, health care access, and voting protections. Your responsibilities include legal research, drafting briefs and policy memos, reviewing case materials, interviewing clients and witnesses, and supporting community outreach efforts. You may also assist with discovery, legislative proposals, and public education campaigns.
Location: Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., New York, NY
Cost: Unpaid
Application Deadline: Not listed; apply as early as possible
Dates: Summer (exact duration not specified)
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and law students; applicants should be organized, motivated, and interested in litigation or personal injury law
Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. offers a structured summer internship in New York City for undergraduate and law students interested in personal injury law. You assist firm partners with organizing case files and trial materials, and work with legal staff to request and track medical records from hospitals, doctors, and third-party providers. You also help prepare binders for trial, conduct background research on new cases, and communicate with clients to clarify case details.
Location: Multiple US offices including Austin, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Madison, Milwaukee, Raleigh, and Salt Lake City
Cost/Stipend: $1,000 per week (rates may vary by year and office location)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open during fall semester for following summer
Dates: 10-week summer program, typically running from late May to end of July
Eligibility: Engineering and Science students (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD levels) interested in Intellectual Property law. Program typically targets students in their junior year
The EDGE Program is for engineering and science students who want to explore patent law. You’ll work on patent and technical research, review applications, draft documents for attorney review, and research patent filings. The program begins with a “boot camp” that introduces you to the basics of patent law, followed by mentorship from patent agents, formal evaluations, and networking opportunities. Past cohorts have included students from universities like Georgia Tech, University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Texas–Austin, and Marquette University.
Location: DLA Piper offices across the United States
Cost/Stipend: Paid fellowship/internship (full-time compensation)
Application Deadline: Applications open December 9 to January 21
Dates: 6-week full-time paid summer internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students entering their senior year in fall OR recent graduates applying to law school within one year.
The Raja Gaddipati Fellowship is a six-week, full-time paid summer internship for undergraduates entering their senior year or recent graduates planning to attend law school. You’ll work in one of DLA Piper’s offices in New York, Chicago, Palo Alto, or Washington, DC, from mid-June to late July. During the program, you’ll take on legal research projects, attend lectures and mentoring sessions, and join professional development activities. You’ll also sit in on client meetings and court hearings while supporting outreach and advocacy work, giving you firsthand exposure to a global law firm.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines throughout the year
Program Dates: 8 weeks (Summer and school-year cohorts available)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students and undergraduates
Ladder Internships offers a virtual internship program where you’re matched with a startup or nonprofit working in areas like AI, sustainability, healthcare, or journalism. During the internship, you’ll work on a specific project that aligns with the organization’s goals and your interests. You’ll also have access to regular mentorship and weekly sessions focused on workplace tools and skills. By the end of the program, you’ll complete and present a project that you helped shape, which can serve as a strong addition to your resume or future applications. The program also includes the option to request a reference letter from your supervisor, based on your performance.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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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