16 Law Internships for High School Students in Georgia
- Lydia Park
- Aug 13
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 5
Law is something you understand better when you see how it works in the real world. If you are a high school student in Georgia and want to explore the legal field, joining a law internship or summer program can help. These programs let you observe courtrooms, support basic tasks in legal offices, and learn directly from lawyers and judges.
You get to understand how court cases are handled, what legal research looks like, and how different careers in law actually function. It gives you a clear idea of whether the law is something you want to study in the future. It also shows colleges that you are serious about your interests and willing to take initiative outside school.
To make it easier for you to start, here is a list of 16 law internships and programs for high school students in Georgia. If you're looking for more prestigious internships or ones that align with other academic interests, check out these curated guides we’ve posted here.
16 Law Internships for High School Students in Georgia
Location: Various legal offices in metropolitan Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: May 27–July 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in metro Atlanta
The Atlanta Bar Association’s Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) gives high school students a real-world introduction to the legal field through a six-week internship. You’ll be placed at a host organization like a law firm, public agency, or corporate legal department, where you’ll help with entry-level tasks and see legal professionals at work.
In addition to your internship placement, you’ll join mentoring sessions with practicing attorneys and learn about professionalism, networking, and workplace etiquette. Each week, you’ll also take part in enrichment seminars and guided reflection activities to deepen your understanding and skills.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. June 23, for the spring session
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students! Apply here
The Ladder Internship is a selective program that offers high school students an opportunity to work with startups in fields such as technology, machine learning, AI, finance, sustainability, healthcare, media, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are dynamic, often having raised substantial funding, with founders from top accelerators like YCombinator and companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.
During the internship, you will work on a real-world project and present your work at the end. You’ll be guided by a startup manager and a Ladder Coach, who will act as a second mentor and help you navigate the startup environment. The internship lasts 8 weeks and follows a coaching-plus-work model, not commonly found in similar programs.
Location: ACLU of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free (school credit only)
Dates: Early June–Early August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The ACLU of Georgia Internship Program allows you to witness how advocacy groups influence law and policy from the ground up. As a high school intern, you’ll support staff in areas like community outreach, communications, and fundraising, helping with research, admin tasks, and campaign-related projects along the way. You’ll get to be part of the ACLU’s bigger mission: protecting civil liberties and fighting for social justice. You might help create content, organize events, or contribute to outreach around current issues.
Location: Georgia Innocence Project, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: May–August
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students (flexible hours for high school students)
The Georgia Innocence Project Internship lets you help a real-life team working to fix wrongful convictions in Georgia. As a high school intern, you’ll support the staff by doing tasks like organizing case files, helping with outreach, or putting together materials for community events. You might help plan events, post on social media, or gather resources for people who are leaving prison and starting over. You won’t be doing legal work (that’s for law students), but you’ll still learn how a nonprofit legal team operates
Location: Gwinnett County Government, various departments, Gwinnett County, GA
Cost: Free (paid $15/hour)
Dates: June 2 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Ages 15–21 who live in or attend school in Gwinnett County (work permit required if age 15)
The Empower Gwinnett Government Internship Program is a paid summer opportunity for high school students to see how local government works from the inside. You’ll be placed in a county department like communications, public safety, parks and recreation, or law, where you’ll help with daily tasks and real projects. Along the way, you’ll get training and support from mentors, build your leadership skills, and connect with professionals across different parts of local government. The program also includes two full-day workshops where you’ll learn how to write a resume, act professionally on the job.
Location: Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office, Lawrenceville, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 11–June 25
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 in good standing who attend a Gwinnett County public school (others considered case-by-case basis)
The Junior District Attorney and Investigator Mentorship Program gives you a real-world look at how the criminal justice system works. Over two weeks, you’ll learn directly from professionals in the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office through hands-on workshops and field experiences. You’ll work with assistant district attorneys, investigators, and staff to explore prosecution, investigations, courtroom procedures, and law enforcement. Along the way, you’ll also build skills like communication, time management, and professionalism.
Location: Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, Lawrenceville, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: Weekly sessions throughout the summer (specific Fridays)
Application Deadline: Varies annually (summer session fills early)
Eligibility: High school students attending a Gwinnett County school the following academic year (transportation not provided)
The SMILE (Summer Mentoring in Legal Education) Program in Gwinnett gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how the justice system works in your community. You’ll spend Friday afternoons meeting judges, lawyers, and other legal professionals while visiting courtrooms, public safety departments, and legal offices. You’ll watch real court cases, take part in mock trials and debates, and hear directly from lawmakers about how laws are made. There’s a strong focus on mentorship and reflection, so you’ll have space to think about the impact of law and what it means to serve the public.
Location: Georgia State University College of Law and legal sites across metro Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free (transportation not provided)
Dates: June 9–June 27
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade high school students enrolled in a Georgia school; past participants are not eligible to reapply
The Justice Benham Law Camp, run by the Gate City Bar Association, is a three-week summer program that gives you a real look into the legal world. If you're curious about law and want to learn from people who work in it every day, this is a great place to start, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
In the first two weeks, you’ll be on campus at Georgia State University’s College of Law, where you’ll build your critical thinking skills, learn how legal reasoning works, and meet with attorneys and judges. You'll also tour courthouses and observe real court proceedings to see how everything fits together
Location: Begins in Atlanta, GA, and travels to Montgomery, AL
Cost: $2,000 (Financial aid available)
Dates: July 9–July 14
Application Deadline: Early Decision – April 17 | Regular Decision – May 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 (rising 10th–12th graders and graduating seniors) from Southern ACLU Affiliate states (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)
The Southern Collective Advocacy Institute is a powerful, week-long program for high school students who care about social justice. Starting in Atlanta and traveling to Montgomery, you’ll explore the history of civil rights in the South and how that history connects to today’s biggest legal and policy issues. You’ll work with ACLU staff, lawyers, and community organizers while learning about topics like immigrant rights, trans justice, reproductive freedom, and racial equity. Expect a full week of site visits, small group sessions, and a Day of Action, where you’ll learn how to speak up and make change in your community.
Location: Office of the City Solicitor, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies (typically summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school, college, and law students with an interest in law and public service
The Office of the City Solicitor (OCS) Internship Program lets high school students step into the world of public service law by working inside Atlanta’s city legal system. You’ll observe real court cases, help out with basic office tasks, and learn how misdemeanor cases are handled and prosecuted. You’ll also get to meet legal professionals, attend events, and see firsthand how decisions are made in a city courtroom. You’ll take part in structured activities that show you what a career in law and justice looks like.
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA (trainings and hearings held on campus and in partnership with Athens-Clarke County Juvenile Court)
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 8th–12th grade students who reside in Clarke County (must have reliable transportation)
The Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Peer Court Initiative gives you the chance to play a real role in the justice system. In this program, you’ll help run sentencing hearings for first-time youth offenders as a peer judge, lawyer, or juror. It’s all about giving young people a second chance while helping them build leadership and communication skills. Before stepping into court, you’ll get training in courtroom rules, how to keep things confidential, and how to talk with clients. Then, you’ll put those skills to work in real Peer Court sessions, which are held in the evenings once a month.
Location: Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free (participants are paid for the day)
Dates: During the legislative session (typically January–April; exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Georgia students ages 12–18 (one session per year; must coordinate through your House representative)
The Georgia General Assembly House Page Program lets you step directly into the action of the legislative process for one day at the State Capitol in Atlanta. As a House Page, you’ll strengthen your communication skills by relaying documents and time-sensitive messages to state lawmakers on the House floor. You’ll also develop professional awareness by observing how representatives debate bills, negotiate amendments, and vote on legislation in real time. During the program, you’ll practice time management, follow formal procedures, and represent your district with integrity.
Location: Participating high schools across Georgia
Cost: Free
Dates: Academic school year (Kick-Off event held in fall; activities occur year-round)
Application Deadline: Varies by school (schools must register with the program)
Eligibility: Georgia high school students in grades 10–12 (nominated by their school)
The Georgia Secretary of State’s Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for high schoolers in grades 10–12 who want to make a difference in their communities. If your school joins the program, up to nine students can be chosen to represent it as ambassadors. As a student ambassador, you’ll plan and run events that focus on civic topics like voter registration, financial literacy, and community service. That could mean organizing a voter drive at school, hosting a debate, or leading a volunteer project. Your team earns points for each event you complete, and schools across the state compete for awards.
Location: Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA
Eligibility: High school students in Newton County School System or Putnam County Charter School System
Application Deadline: Not publicly listed (contact program for details)
Program Dates: Not specified (typically held during summer)
Cost: Free
The Oxford College Summer Experience at Emory University is a free summer program just for high school students in the Newton County and Putnam County school systems. Throughout the program, you’ll take college-style classes taught by Oxford faculty in subjects like political science, chemistry, and English. You’ll also join workshops on applying to college, understanding financial aid, and building strong study habits.
Location: Fulton County, GA (Atlanta metro)
Cost: Free
Dates: School year (August–May); Applications open in May
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 residing in or attending school in Fulton County
The Fulton County Youth Commission is a year-long leadership program where you learn how local government works and speak up about youth issues. You’ll attend monthly meetings, work on service projects, and propose policy ideas to county officials. If selected, you’ll represent your school or community while gaining experience in leadership, advocacy, and teamwork. The program includes 120 hours of service across the year.
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,995
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: July 28 – August 8
Eligibility: Ages 15-18
The World Lawyers Academy by World Scholars Academy is a two-week online course designed for students ages 15 to 18 who want to dive into the world of law. Taught by a PhD candidate in law at Oxford, the program introduces you to advanced legal ideas while giving you a real feel for what studying law is like.
You’ll explore topics like legal ethics, human rights, the philosophy and history of law, and even commercial law. The final class ends with a mock trial, where you’ll take everything you’ve learned and put it to the test in a simulated courtroom experience. The course is limited to just six students, so you’ll get lots of individual attention and mentoring.
One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in doing university-level research in STEM or other subjects, which can become a topic to talk about in your college application, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Lydia is currently a senior at Harvard University, studying Molecular and Cellular Biology and Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She aims to become a life sciences consultant after graduation.
Image Source - Atlanta Bar Association’s Summer Law Internship Program logo