12 Law Firm Internships for Undergraduates in Toronto
- Stephen Turban
- Oct 3, 2025
- 9 min read
For undergraduates considering a career in law, internships are one of the most effective ways to gain hands-on experience and build a competitive profile. If you’re based in Toronto, you’re in luck! Local law firm internships for undergraduates allow you to apply theoretical knowledge to actual legal cases, develop skills in research and drafting, and understand how lawyers serve clients on a day-to-day basis without spending a ton of money. They also give you exposure to professional environments, industry expectations, and the kind of networking opportunities that can help shape your academic and career trajectory.
Unlike classroom learning alone, these internships offer you access to mentorship, client-facing projects, and the rigor of experiences—factors that make them highly valuable as you prepare for law school or future roles. In this blog, we have compiled a list of the top 12 law firm internships for undergraduates in Toronto, based on criteria such as firm reputation, program selectivity, structured work assignments, and opportunities to network with practising lawyers. Each internship here is hosted by a recognized Toronto law firm, open to undergraduates, and provides authentic in-person exposure to the practice of law.
Location: Ontario Bar Association, Toronto, ON. (placements at law firms such as Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP)
Cost: Free; interns are paid $21/hour and may receive up to $3,000 in LSAT prep or law school application support
Dates: 12 weeks, full-time in summer (approx. May – August)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: Open to Black and/or Indigenous undergraduate students enrolled in or recently graduated from a Canadian university who are considering a career in law
This 12-week highly selective program places you at some of Canada's top law firms and in-house legal departments, offering real-world experience in corporate and commercial law. You will work on substantive tasks such as proofreading documents and factual research projects that will help build professional skills and business acumen while gaining exposure to the daily operations of lawyers. Each intern is paired with a mentor at their host organization, offering direct guidance, career advice, and insight into legal practice. Beyond the day-to-day, you will attend leadership development workshops, networking events, and peer learning sessions led by the Legal Leaders for Diversity and Inclusion and the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network. You will also benefit from community engagement opportunities and interactions with practising lawyers across Canada. The program stands out for combining paid professional experience with mentorship and long-term career support.
Location: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free; Compensation details not specified
Dates: Summer internship
Application Deadline: Typically early spring
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students in Canada preparing for law school
Established in 2011, the Diversity & Inclusion Pre-Law Internship Program at Blakes offers undergraduates a structured introduction to business law practice. You will split time between Blake’s Toronto office and a client organization, gaining exposure to both firm and corporate in-house practice. You will work closely with legal professionals, assisting with research, drafting, and project work while also shadowing client service interactions. The program is designed to offer structured mentorship, with experienced professionals guiding you through both career exploration and law school preparation. By combining legal practice with direct client engagement, this internship helps you build practical skills while understanding the broader context of corporate law.
Location: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free; Compensation details not specified
Dates: Summer internship
Application Deadline: Typically early spring
Eligibility: Open to Indigenous undergraduate students in Canada considering a career in law
Launched in 2014, the Indigenous Pre-Law Internship Program at Blakes offers Indigenous undergraduates meaningful exposure to corporate legal practice. You will rotate between Blake’s Toronto office and a partner client organization, offering insight into how legal strategy connects with business operations and client decision-making. You will work alongside practising lawyers, developing legal research, drafting, and client service skills that are foundational for law school and beyond. Paired mentorship is a core feature, where lawyers and in-house counsel provide guidance on academic and career development. By focusing on Indigenous representation in law, this program builds a supportive entry point into Canada’s legal industry while encouraging long-term professional growth.
Location: Youngman Law, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free; compensation details are not specified
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling opportunity
Eligibility: Open to law students; undergraduates in pre-law or related fields are welcome to apply
This summer internship at Youngman Law offers you the chance to work in a boutique commercial law environment at Yonge and Eglinton. You’ll assist with real client matters, gaining exposure to contract drafting, legal research, and case preparation under the guidance of experienced lawyers. As part of a small, close-knit team, you’ll have opportunities to contribute directly to client work and observe the day-to-day operations of a private practice. You can expect to participate in meetings, shadow court-related activities, and help prepare legal documents for ongoing files. This internship offers valuable insight into both the legal and business sides of a firm’s operations.
Location: Remote (placements at international law firms and legal organizations)
Cost: Program fee required (varies by duration and placement); Scholarships are occasionally available
Dates: Flexible start dates; duration ranges from 4 to 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions across the year
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students in law, political science, international relations, or related fields
Virtual Internships connects you with law firms, legal departments, or advocacy organizations across the globe for fully remote internships. You will be working on legal research, drafting, analyzing contracts and pleadings, and observing client consultations under supervision. The flexibility of virtual placements allows you to select starting dates and timelines that fit your academic schedule. You will also benefit from structured mentorship, weekly check-ins, and online career development modules. This format offers you global exposure and a chance to collaborate with international professionals, making it an adaptable option for students looking to reinforce their law school applications.
Location: Remote(placements at law firms, legal departments, and NGOs worldwide; Hubs include Bangkok, Melbourne, Medellín, New York, Dublin, London, and Madrid)
Cost: Program fee required (varies by duration and destination); Includes career training modules and access to alumni network
Dates: Flexible; Typically 4–24 weeks start dates available all-year-round)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions across the year
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students in law, political science, international relations, and related fields
The Intern Group offers structured virtual law internships that match you with law firms, corporate legal departments, or NGOs across the globe. You will be conducting extensive research on past case studies and relevant legislation, preparing materials for trials, hearings, and depositions or attending client meetings virtually, thus gaining a better understanding of the legal consultation process. Each placement is paired with career training, mentorship, and twelve months of access to exclusive keynotes from industry leaders, practising corporate law, criminal law, or legal technology. The flexibility of remote scheduling helps you tailor your internship around academic commitments while building a professional portfolio in law.
Location: Remote; placements hosted out of the U.S. with U.S. law firms and private attorneys
Cost: Program fee required (starts at $1,099 for 100 hours; up to $1,799 for 350 hours); $499 deposit to confirm; academic credit available
Dates: Flexible; Available year-round with options for 100, 250, or 350 hours (3–17 weeks depending on schedule)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions all-year-round
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates with at least one year of study in law, political science, international relations, or related fields; Knowledge of social media and digital communications is required
This virtual internship places you with U.S.-based lawyers and firms, where you can support cases involving asylum, immigration, domestic violence, and other legal issues. You will contribute to litigation preparation, document drafting, translations, and summarizations while collaborating with supervisors through email and video meetings. You will gain first-hand exposure to U.S. legal systems with opportunities to strengthen your skills in professional writing, research, and client service. Placements can be tailored to specific interests such as criminal law, human rights, or corporate practice, giving you control over your professional focus. With academic credit options, a documented portfolio of work, and an international reference letter, this program is well-suited for undergraduates seeking both practical skills and career credentials in law.
Location: Virtual placements with companies and organizations in 30+ locations worldwide
Cost: 8-week full-time: US$1,950; 12-week part-time: US$2,250 (includes coaching, workshops, and certificate)
Dates: Choose between 8-week full-time or 12-week part-time; available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling application available
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates and recent graduates across disciplines; Focus areas selected during application
CIEE’s Virtual Global Internship offers you immersive placements tailored to your academic and career goals, allowing you to gain professional experience remotely. First, you pick your field of focus and a preferred location; CIEE then matches you with placements accordingly. You will receive pre-internship orientation, virtual workshops with industry experts, and structured coaching throughout the internship. The program culminates in a digital Certificate of Completion and supports the creation of an e‑portfolio. It combines flexibility, professional development, and a cross-cultural lens, thus making it an ideal option for undergraduates seeking global law or a related experience.
Location: Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free; This is a paid position
Dates: May 5 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Open to first-year law students or second-year students in an applicable combined program (e.g. JD/MBA)
This internship places you within Fasken’s Labour, Employment & Human Rights group, where you’ll gain exposure to file work and specialized projects guided by senior lawyers. You will conduct legal research, draft memos, and analyze workplace disputes from both employee and employer perspectives. You’ll be introduced to statutory frameworks such as Ontario’s Human Rights Code and Employment Standards Act, while also seeing how client advisory work is carried out in practice. The structure allows you to develop both technical writing skills and professional judgment within one of Bay Street’s largest firms.
Location: Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free; This is a paid position
Dates: May 5 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Open to first-year law students or second-year students in an applicable combined program (e.g. JD/MBA)
This role integrates you into Fasken’s litigation practice, exposing you to case files and workflows similar to those handled by second-year summer students. You’ll contribute to discovery preparation, precedent research, and document review under active supervision. Assignments are designed to sharpen your analytical reasoning and advocacy preparation skills, while immersing you in the procedural side of civil and commercial disputes. With mentorship from practising litigators, you’ll develop a clearer understanding of courtroom strategy and the day-to-day realities of high-stakes litigation.
Location: Dentons Canada LLP, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free; This is a paid position
Dates: Summer (exact start/end dates vary by intake)
Application Deadline: Follows Law Society of Ontario recruitment timelines for 1L summer students; Dates vary by year
Eligibility: Open to first-year law students (JD / common law)
This program places you within one of the world’s largest law firms, giving you exposure to practice areas like corporate and securities, litigation, financial services, employment, real estate, and tax. You will rotate through two practice groups, tackling substantive legal work for clients under the supervision of senior lawyers. You’ll sharpen research, drafting, and transaction support skills while also participating in client meetings, negotiations, and case preparation. The program includes structured feedback, formal evaluations, and opportunities for mentorship from partners and associates. Dentons also offers secondment options for students interested in in-house or regulatory experience, alongside a calendar of professional and social events that build both legal and networking skills.
Location: Torys LLP, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free; This is a paid position
Dates: Summer (exact start/end dates follow the Law Society of Ontario student recruitment cycle)
Application Deadline: Set by the Law Society of Ontario recruitment timelines
Eligibility: Open to law students (first-year JD / common law)
Torys’ Toronto summer student program is structured around a non-rotational model, meaning you can choose to work across multiple practice groups rather than being limited to fixed rotations. This allows you to explore areas like corporate law, M&A, banking, litigation, tax, and capital markets, while tailoring your workload to your interests. You’ll gain practical experience in transactions, advocacy, and client advisory work, supported by mentorship from both junior and senior lawyers. The program also features continuing education workshops in trial skills, drafting facta, settlement negotiation, and discovery techniques, alongside seminars on professionalism and practice management. With formal reviews, ongoing feedback, and access to Employee Resource Groups, Torys emphasizes both technical training and inclusive professional development.
Bonus Item:
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world. The startups range across a variety of industries, from software engineering to healthcare and non-profit. As part of the internship, you will work closely with the manager on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup you are working with, and present your work at the end of the internship. Apply now!
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 Turban 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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