12 Law Internships for High School Students in Florida
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 8 min read
Law internships are an accessible way for high school students to gain early exposure to the legal field, develop critical thinking skills, and build professional habits. Whether you're sitting in on court proceedings, helping with case research, or participating in mock trials, these experiences help you better understand how the legal system works while strengthening your college applications and career readiness.
Why should I intern in Florida as a high school student interested in law?
Florida offers a unique mix of opportunities thanks to its diverse legal landscape, including access to major law firms, government agencies, and public interest organizations. Many programs also offer virtual formats, making them accessible and flexible regardless of your location.
To help you get started, we’ve curated 12 law internships for high school students in Florida, each chosen for its professional rigor, learning value, and mentorship potential. If you're looking for more prestigious internships, take a look at this set of blogs.
Location: Broward County Judicial Complex, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cost: Free; stipend of $25/hour is offered in a state position
Program dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores who attend a high school located in Broward County
This two-week program, offered by the Law Office of the Public Defender in Broward County, provides an early introduction to the realities of public defense. During your time as an intern, you’ll shadow attorneys in court, participate in discussions with legal professionals, and observe how cases progress through the criminal justice system. Site visits may include the crime lab and medical examiner’s office, giving you exposure to forensic and investigative processes. The experience culminates in a mock trial where you apply what you’ve learned in a courtroom setting. This law internship for high school students in Florida is well-suited if you’re curious about legal defense and want to see how attorneys advocate for clients within the justice system.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid is available)
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter)
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks.
Ladder Internships connects motivated high school students with startups across a variety of fields, including law, in a virtual setting. If selected, you’ll work remotely for about eight weeks on a project-based assignment with a company aligned to your interests. For students interested in legal careers, placements may involve work in areas like litigation, public policy, or corporate law. You'll also receive mentorship from industry professionals and guidance from a Ladder Coach who helps you navigate your internship goals. Each internship is structured to develop your problem-solving, communication, and project management skills, regardless of the industry focus.
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Cost: Free; stipend varies by intern's education level, the specific position, and the duration of the internship.
Program dates: Varies depending on position
Application deadline: Varies depending on position
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited school; at least 16 years old; minimum GPA 2.0
The DOJ Pathways Internship Program is a federal initiative that places high school and college students in paid or unpaid roles within government offices. You can be assigned to areas like legal policy, administration, or public affairs, depending on your qualifications and agency needs. The law internship for high school students in Florida is designed to develop your understanding of how the federal legal system operates, including exposure to departments such as the Office of the Attorney General. In addition to professional training, you may be eligible for permanent employment based on performance and eligibility criteria.
Location: Jimerson Birr office, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: Free; stipend amount unspecified
Program dates: 4 – 6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Applications typically close in the spring
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
At Jimerson Birr, a business law firm based in Florida, high school students can participate in a summer internship that spans four to six weeks and touches multiple departments. While the program includes legal research opportunities, it also introduces you to related fields like marketing, tech, and communications within the context of a law firm. You’ll work alongside professionals from various departments, gaining insight into how business and law intersect in a full-service firm. This law internship for high school students in Florida is unique in how it blends administrative and legal experience, offering a broader view of firm operations.
Location: Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Program dates: At least 3 months at 16 – 20 hours/week
Application deadline: Rolling throughout the year
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
This program lets you explore the criminal justice process from the perspective of the prosecution. After a training and orientation period, you'll be placed in specific units like Criminal Intake, Domestic Violence, or Victim/Witness services. Tasks may include contacting victims for pre-file conferences, attending bond hearings, and helping evaluate evidence in ongoing cases. You'll also learn about legal ethics, court procedures, and professional conduct through guided sessions and on-the-job experience. While volunteer-based, the law internship for high school students in Florida emphasizes hands-on involvement and places you within the daily operations of the State Attorney’s Office. It’s a chance to observe how prosecutors handle criminal cases, communicate with victims and witnesses, and prepare cases for trial.
Location: FAU Campus, Boca Raton, FL
Cost: $900
Program dates: Session 1: June 8 – 13 | Session 2: July 20 – 25
Application deadline: Applications typically close in Spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 to 12 in the coming fall
Florida Atlantic University’s week-long Criminal Justice Summer Camp allows you to engage with various components of the justice system through hands-on activities and field trips. Hosted on the Boca Raton campus, the program includes crime scene investigation exercises and live demonstrations by SWAT teams, bomb squads, and K-9 units. You'll tour facilities like the Medical Examiner’s Office and meet professionals working in law enforcement and forensic science. While not a traditional internship, the camp offers structured learning focused on criminal justice procedures and public safety. A certificate of completion is awarded at the end, which may strengthen future applications to legal or criminal justice programs.
Location: University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus, St. Petersburg, FL
Cost: $695
Program dates: July 27 – August 2
Application deadline: Applications open February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12
Cohort size: 32 students
The Mock Trial Intensive hosted by the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida offers you the opportunity to experience courtroom procedures first-hand. Throughout this week-long camp, you’ll study a well-known legal case, develop your arguments, and participate in a full mock trial hosted at Stetson Law School. Guided by practicing attorneys, law school faculty, and mock trial competitors, you’ll learn techniques in direct and cross-examination, opening and closing statements, and courtroom strategy. Although not an internship, this intensive provides a realistic courtroom simulation that builds trial advocacy and public speaking skills.
Location: Stetson University, DeLand, FL
Cost: $1,000 (includes a $100 non-refundable registration fee); need-based scholarships available.
Program dates: Mock Trial Camp: July 7 – 11 | Mock Trial Camp: July 21 – 25 | Moot Court Camp: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: 4 weeks before camp start date
Eligibility: Open to high school students residing in the U.S.
Stetson University’s Pre-Law Camps are designed for high school students who want to develop foundational skills in trial advocacy, public speaking, and legal analysis. The camp features two distinct sessions: Mock Trial and Moot Court. In the Mock Trial session, participants will learn to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and argue cases within the framework of civil or criminal procedure. The Moot Court session will assign participants the role of an appellate attorney, requiring them to draft briefs and deliver oral arguments to simulated judges. Each camp is limited to 15 students, ensuring personalized feedback from experienced instructors, including members of the nationally recognized Stetson Trial Team. While not a legal internship, it can still help students develop foundational advocacy skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,840 per credit
Program dates: June 23 – July 11
Application deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The International Human Rights in Theory and Practice course from Cornell University lets you study international human rights law from both theoretical and practical angles. You’ll dive into how global institutions respond to issues like migration, gender inequality, climate change, and racial discrimination, and how they enforce, or fail to enforce, human rights protections. Course topics include the origins of human rights law, the role of domestic and international courts, and critiques of current global systems. Assignments include readings, video lectures, case simulations, and collaborative group work where you take on the role of a human rights advocate. While this is a virtual academic course, the program can help build foundational knowledge for further law study.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,288
Program dates: August 3 – 9
Application deadline: July 25
Eligibility: Students in 9th-12th grade in Spring
UCLA’s week-long Mock Trial Summer Institute brings you into the courtroom through simulated trial experiences designed for high school students. Participants work in teams to prepare and argue a fictional criminal case, developing courtroom skills like opening statements, direct and cross-examination, and objections. The program is led by members of UCLA’s nationally ranked collegiate mock trial team and includes guest visits to the Los Angeles Superior Court. No previous mock trial or legal experience is required, but the program emphasizes critical thinking, oral advocacy, and legal analysis. While it isn’t classified as a traditional internship, the program mirrors the intensity and structure of a real trial environment.
Location: Local YMCAs across Southwest Florida; State Assembly in Tallahassee
Cost: Not specified
Program dates: State Assembly: April 22 – 24
Application deadline: February 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
Florida YMCA Youth In Government offers a program where middle and high school students can engage in a realistic simulation of government, developing leadership skills, public speaking, and civic awareness. You get to learn debate and legislative processes, take on roles such as legislators, judges, lobbyists, press members, and more. The high school “Senior YIG” has the opportunity to attend a State Assembly in Tallahassee, where youth take over the state capitol to debate and pass bills. While not a traditional legal internship, you can also earn community service hours, scholarship opportunities, and even college credit.
Location: Remote
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 16 – August 10
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school and college students
This eight-week winter internship offers middle and high school students a chance to explore the intersection of law, justice, and investigative research through meaningful, hands-on work. Participants engage directly in reviewing wrongful conviction cases by organizing case files, tracking down witnesses, conducting interviews, and summarizing critical evidence. Guest speakers, including lawyers, investigators, and experts, will offer insights into the legal process and criminal justice system. They will discuss their work on post-conviction motions, eyewitness misidentification, and false confessions. The program requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week and provides valuable opportunities to contribute to community awareness through social media and blog content.
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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