12 Law Firm Internships for Undergraduates in DC

For an undergraduate student interested in law, an internship at a law firm can help them understand how the legal world works in practice. You’ll observe how attorneys research, draft documents, and prepare cases, while also learning how law firms operate day to day. This experience can help you confirm your interest in the field before applying to law school.

Washington, D.C. is one of the best places to gain this kind of experience. As the center of U.S. policy and legislation, the city has hundreds of firms handling corporate, civil, and public interest work. Many firms in D.C. offer undergraduate internships where you can assist with legal research, administrative support, and case preparation, building both knowledge and workplace skills along the way.

For students planning to apply to law school or explore a legal career, these internships can be a practical first step. They strengthen your understanding of the field, build your professional network, and add credibility to your applications.

To help you explore, here are 12 law firm internships for undergraduates in Washington, D.C. If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!

12 Law Firm Internships for Undergraduates in DC

1. Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Law Fellowship  

Location: Multiple law firm placements available in Washington, DC | Initial 2-week training held in NYC

Cost/Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective (5-10% acceptance rate); 100 fellows selected

Dates: 2 weeks of training + 8 weeks law firm internship during the summer, usually beginning in mid-/late May.

Application Deadline: February 28

Eligibility: Current seniors who are planning to attend law school after graduation and have submitted at least one law school application

Seniors looking to pursue a law student-level internship before beginning their JD program can consider the SEO Law Fellowship, a training and internship program for students from underrepresented backgrounds in law. You’ll start with a two-week Law Institute in NYC, learning topics covered in 1L curricula under the guidance of law school professors. For the following two months, you’ll complete a summer associate internship at a corporate law firm in Washington, D.C., or another major U.S. city based on your preference. You’ll work on assignments from drafting documents, conducting research, and managing financial transactions under the mentorship of attorneys. Other opportunities include guidance on determining your preferred legal practice area, networking events, and social activities.

2. Holland & Knight Public Policy and Regulations Internship 

Location: Holland & Knight, Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 4-9 interns

Dates: Internships offered in the spring, summer, and fall

Application Deadline: Varies; check site for updates

Eligibility: Current undergraduates in good standing. Summer interns must be enrolled for the following fall semester.

Holland & Knight’s Public Policy and Regulations Internship gives students interested in government affairs the opportunity to work at a Washington, D.C. law firm for a legislative-focused internship experience. You’ll research public policy issues, draft memoranda and white papers, develop slide decks for client presentations, and more. You’ll be mentored by senior H&K staff, learning about their path into the legal field and professional experiences to help guide your next steps in law. You’ll also get to interface with government officials, with opportunities to attend congressional and executive hearings alongside Holland & Knight attorneys.

3. Criminal Law Internship Program at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia

Location: PDSDC, Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Internships are typically funded, dependent on budget availability 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Internships are 12 weeks; there are 2 terms offered for Winter/Spring and Fall Sessions, and 4 Summer Sessions

Application Deadline: November 7 (Winter/Spring), February 7 (Summer), June 5 (Fall)

Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students

The Public Defender Service in Washington, D.C. hosts undergraduate students for internships providing pro bono legal services in criminal law. You’ll work directly with the law firm staff to support investigative processes, including interviewing clients and witnesses, serving subpoenas, creating crime scene diagrams, and assisting case development throughout the prosecution process. You may also get the chance to testify in court and prepare courtroom exhibits for trials. You’ll be mentored by attorneys across the law firm, and often have opportunities to network with US Attorney's Office prosecutors and DC Superior Court Judges.

4. Legal Aid DC Undergraduate Student Internships 

Location: Legal Aid DC, Washington, DC

Stipend: $6,283 for undergraduates for a 10-week summer

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective

Dates: 10 weeks over the summer or 12 weeks during the school year

Application Deadline: Varies by position 

Eligibility: Current undergraduate students 

Legal Aid DC’s internships give undergraduates hands-on experience in pro bono cases across areas like housing law, public benefits, and domestic violence. You’ll typically work in the Intake or Development department, where you’ll contribute to research, law firm operations, and case work assistance. Typical tasks include holding intake meetings, filing court documents, drafting client correspondence, and supporting both firm and client meetings. Other opportunities include conducting legal research to support ongoing investigations and attending client hearings and trials in Washington, D.C. courts.

5. ACLU Legal Internships —  Washington, D.C. Placement 

Location: ACLU offices in Washington, D.C. and other US locations

Stipend: $20/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective

Dates: 10 weeks for full-time, and 12 weeks for part-time

Application Deadline: Priority deadlines are typically ~3 months before the internship start date | Applications after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis until an intern is selected  

Eligibility: Current undergraduate students | Individual postings may have additional requirements; note that some opportunities are only open to law school students

The ACLU’s Legal Internship program offers Washington, D.C. placements to contribute to initiatives across Racial Justice, Immigrants’ Rights, Disability Rights, and Criminal Law. While work varies based on your assignment, the ACLU provides hands-on opportunities across research and outreach in collaboration with its legal team members. Your work might include researching legislative updates, documenting prison conditions, and tracking complaints from individuals reporting rights violations. You’ll also collaborate with supervising attorneys on ongoing litigation to see your research put into action. This internship blends legal experience with exposure to policy procedures and U.S. civil rights concerns. 

6. Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer, & Feld LLP Public Law & Policy Internship 

Location: Washington, D.C.

Stipend: $19.50 to $23.50/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 1 intern

Dates: 20-25 hours/week during the spring semester

Application Deadline: October 20

Eligibility: Applicants should have completed at least two years of college; rising juniors and seniors preferred.

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld is a Washington, D.C. based law firm offering undergraduates the ability to contribute to public policy legal proceedings. You’ll work with attorneys in the law firm’s Public Law & Policy practice area, supporting client cases across immigration, tax, health care, and more. Common assignments include conducting research, summarizing congressional hearings, assisting with client meetings, and drafting legal documents. Alongside building connections at the firm, you’ll attend meetings on Capitol Hill with policy experts and legislators to develop a professional network across law and public policy.

7. Vinson & Elkins Student Summer Internship Program

Location: Vinson & Elkins offices in Washington, D.C. and other U.S. locations

Cost/Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Internships are hosted over the summer

Application Deadline: Check the site for updates

Eligibility: See updated criteria during application period; generally, advanced undergraduates and incoming law school students are eligible 

Undergraduate students in Vinson & Elkins’ Student Summer Internship Program have the opportunity to gain hands-on law firm experience in V&E’s Washington, D.C. office. You’ll be placed to work in one or two of V&E’s practice areas, including litigation, intellectual property, and finance, directly supporting attorneys and other law firm staff. Assignments might involve drafting documents, conducting research, and completing other administrative duties. Professional development opportunities include discussions with staff about the law school and attorney recruitment experience, as well as the potential to return as a Summer Associate as a law school student. Past interns have returned to the firm as junior associates after graduation. 

8. Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) Internship Program

Location: Office of the Attorney General, Washington, D.C.

Cost/Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 15 students selected per internship

Dates: Length and dates vary; opportunities are offered in the spring, summer, and fall

Application Deadline: July 31 (Fall), November 30 (Spring), February 14 (Summer)

Eligibility: Current undergraduates and law school students

Washington, D.C.’s Office of the Attorney General offers undergraduates the ability to join law school students for its internship program focused on hands-on case work. You’ll work on high-profile cases, with assignments including legal research, drafting motions and memos, and preparing materials for trial and discovery. Many interns can directly assist attorneys at a trial, hearing, or jury selection. You’ll visit sites including the Columbia Court of Appeals and the DC Jail, and attend lectures from OAG attorneys on diverse legal topics from juvenile prosecution to structuring speeches at a trial. 

9. Antonoplos & Associates Undergraduate Internships 

Location: Antonoplos & Associates offices in Washington, D.C, Alexandria, VA, Chevy Chase, MD, or Annapolis, MD

Cost/Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Opportunities offered in the summer, fall, and spring

Application Deadline: Not specified. Check here for updates

Eligibility: Current undergraduate students

Antonoplos & Associates’ offers undergraduate Internships at its Washington, D.C. law firm in practice areas including estate planning, business law, litigation, and real estate. Under the mentorship of a firm attorney, you’ll be assigned an array of legal tasks from research to document drafting. You’ll also assist with marketing and outreach efforts through writing blog posts for the firm's website, and gain client-facing experience through attending meetings. 

10. Lawyers Without Borders Internships  

Location: Washington, D.C. or Remote

Cost/Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective

Dates: Internships are offered over the summer; check the site for dates when internships are live

Application Deadline: Check the site for updates

Eligibility: Current undergraduate and law school students

Undergraduates interested in international legal aid can consider applying to Lawyers Without Borders’ internship program to support initiatives promoting the rule of law across the globe. You’ll research and write on topics like human trafficking and counterterrorism, create public-facing educational materials, analyze election or labor data, and manage other logistical tasks. Other assignments may involve developing presentations, written resources, and videos, or developing grant proposals to fund ongoing advocacy initiatives.

11. International Law Institute Internships

Location: International Law Institute, Washington, D.C.

Cost/Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Internships are offered throughout the year; timeline determined between ILI and interns

Application Deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and others with relevant qualifications | Interest and/or background in international law, international economics, or development preferred

The International Law Institute hosts undergraduates in Washington, D.C. to support law firm operations and development. You’ll conduct research on international law, create marketing materials, manage databases, and develop educational curricula on legal issues. You will also attend seminars on international development and legal affairs. You’ll gain networking opportunities both within and outside the ILI, with the ability to connect with international delegates in the international law and policy realm.

12. Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Internships

Location: Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Washington, D.C. 

Stipend: Stipend provided

Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information provided

Dates: Flexible internship terms offered in the spring, summer, and fall

Application Deadline: Rolling 

Eligibility: Undergraduates, recent graduates, and law school students

Undergraduate interns at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, D.C., are assigned to work intensively on a law firm initiative in fields including Economic Justice, Criminal Justice, and Educational Opportunities. Your work will vary based on your project assignment and organizational priorities, but assignments usually include legal writing, drafting memoranda, and conducting investigations into civil rights issues. You’ll be mentored by senior civil rights attorneys, gaining the ability to build close connections within a specialized team. 

Bonus - Ladder University Internships

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1-1 personalized internships

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort

Eligibility: Undergraduate students

The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week virtual internship where you work on projects with start-ups and corporate businesses. Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, the program focuses on applied learning through assignments guided by start-up founders and supervisors with experience at places like Harvard Business School, McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft. You’ll develop problem-solving and project management skills, gain insight into entrepreneurial practices, and receive weekly mentorship from your manager and a Ladder Coach. The program ends with a final project presentation to strengthen your resume and professional portfolio.

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 Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper. 

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