15 Law Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 9 hours ago
- 9 min read
For college students considering a career in the legal field, gaining early experience is a smart option. Law internships offer a direct window into the profession, helping you develop critical professional skills, gain industry exposure, and build a network of valuable connections, which are of particular importance in the legal field. This hands-on experience is a powerful addition to any resume or law school application. With the rise of remote work, many online internships have become accessible and affordable options, breaking down geographical and financial barriers for aspiring legal minds. Any student serious about a future in law would be wise to explore these opportunities. To help you navigate the options, we’ve curated a list of top law internships for undergraduates, focusing on prestige, the rigor of professional experience offered, and the quality of opportunities to network. If you're looking for more prestigious internships across various fields, check out this set of blogs!
Here are 15 great law internships for undergraduates to consider.
Location: Remote
Cost: Costs vary by program
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: August 24
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students
Ladder Internships provides an opportunity that connects ambitious students with fast-growing startups and innovative companies across various fields for remote work experiences. As a Ladder Intern, you’ll be matched with a personal manager at the firm and work on a project with direct business impact, all the while receiving mentorship and guidance from them. You'll contribute to the company's goals and liaison with various departments as well as senior leadership, allowing you to develop both technical as well as soft skills. The program partners with prestigious organizations like Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey and Goldman Sachs. This virtual format makes it one of the most flexible law internships for undergraduates.
Location: Washington, D.C., and various DOJ offices nationwide
Cost: Unpaid volunteer position
Dates: Varies by position but most internships are not more than 6 months
Application Deadline: Varies by office
Eligibility: Must be a law student enrolled at least half-time, and who has completed at least one semester of law school.
This is one of the most prestigious law internships for undergraduate students interested in public service and the federal legal system, with opportunities across 94 U.S Attorney’s Offices and 89 field offices of the U.S. Trustee Program. You will work within various components of the DOJ, assisting attorneys with tasks such as legal research, drafting memos, organizing case files, and observing court proceedings. The program offers valuable exposure to the inner workings of federal law enforcement and litigation. You’ll be able to gain firsthand experience in a specific area of law that interests you, such as civil rights, environmental law, or national security, depending on placement.
Location: Both remote and hybrid opportunities available
Cost: No cost; a stipend is provided to all interns
Dates: 10-week full-time or 12-week part-time internships are available year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by semester
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
The American Civil Liberties Union offers a renowned internship program for students passionate about civil rights and social justice. Interns work on substantive projects that support the ACLU's litigation, advocacy, and communications efforts. Depending on the project, responsibilities may include legal research, policy analysis, drafting public education materials, and assisting with case development. This internship provides insight into landmark legal battles and advocacy campaigns shaping civil liberties in the United States.
Location: New York, NY (across all five boroughs)
Cost: Unpaid volunteer position
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring programs available
Application Deadline: September 30, December 29, and February 6 for Fall, Spring and Summer, respectively
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate law students. We highly recommend checking the website regularly, as undergraduate internships are based on availability
The Legal Aid Society is the nation's oldest and largest provider of legal services to the indigent. Interns have the opportunity to support attorneys in the Civil, Criminal Defense, or Juvenile Rights Practices. This experience involves significant client contact, assisting with case preparation, conducting legal and factual research, attending court proceedings, and shadowing employees. It's a highly immersive experience and gives you the opportunity to work on public interest law in-depth, and serve marginalized communities. This is a highly respected internship for those looking to make a direct impact.
Location: Various locations such as Montgomery, AL; Atlanta, GA; New Orleans, LA; Jackson, MS; Miami, FL (some remote possibilities may exist). Check current opportunities here.
Cost: No cost; this is a paid internship
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters
Application Deadline: Varies by semester
Eligibility: Must be at least a first-year law student
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a well-regarded civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. Their legal internship program offers students a chance to engage in this vital work directly. You will support the SPLC’s legal, research, and advocacy efforts, working on issues like economic justice, criminal legal system reform, education, voting rights, inclusion and anti-extremism. This internship sits at the intersection of legal reform and human rights initiatives, providing valuable cross-functional experience.
Location: Various global offices, including New York, Washington, D.C., London, and Berlin (remote opportunities often available)
Cost: Varies by position
Dates: Varies by position
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by office and internship term
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students; specific requirements vary by role
For students with an interest in international law and human rights, an internship at Human Rights Watch is a solid opportunity. You’ll work closely with staff in one of HRW's divisions, such as regional research teams, advocacy departments, or media relations. Responsibilities can vary from conducting research, drafting reports, monitoring human rights developments, and assisting with advocacy campaigns. An internship here is a great way to obtain a deep understanding of international human rights monitoring and advocacy.
Location: Available in most of the 94 federal districts nationwide (e.g., Southern District of New York, Central District of California)
Cost: Unpaid volunteer position
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring internships are generally available
Application Deadline: Varies significantly by district; check your local USAO website
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen and a current undergraduate student, subject to a background check
Various U.S. Attorney's Offices across the country offer volunteer internships for undergraduate students. These programs provide a unique look into the work of federal prosecutors. Interns assist Assistant U.S. Attorneys in either the Civil or Criminal Divisions, performing tasks like reviewing evidence, organizing discovery, drafting legal documents, and observing trials and hearings. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the federal justice system from the prosecution's perspective.
Location: New York, NY, and Washington, D.C.
Cost: No cost; interns are paid an hourly wage
Dates: Varies by position
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Many positions are open to current undergraduate students
The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that focuses on issues of democracy and justice. Undergraduate interns work within the Democracy, Justice, or Liberty & National Security programs, or with development and communications teams. They conduct research, assist with data analysis, draft materials, and help organize events. You could also take advantage of the program’s association with NYU to access their legal database, CLE-granting courses, libraries, and discounts! This internship is a solid opportunity if you’re interested in the intersection of law, policy, and advocacy.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Unpaid volunteer position
Dates: Offered in Summer, Fall, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies; Summer deadline is February 3
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
This internship provides a robust experience for students interested in criminal law. Undergraduates partner directly with staff attorneys, interviewing clients and witnesses, conducting investigations, serving subpoenas, and providing administrative support. The program includes a comprehensive training component that covers criminal procedure and investigation techniques. You will learn how to serve subpoenas, testify in court, and even visit clients in jail. It’s a valuable hands-on program for those wanting to understand the challenges and rewards of public defense, and such practical skills as photographing crime scenes, preparing courtroom exhibits, and performing criminal background checks.
Location: New York, NY (with some remote possibilities)
Cost: No cost; a stipend is provided
Dates: Late May to late August
Application Deadline: Applications go live in February and close by April
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students
While not a traditional law internship, this program is excellent for students interested in constitutional law and American history. Interns work on projects related to the Institute's vast collection of historical documents, developing educational materials and online exhibitions. This experience provides a deep historical context for the evolution of American law and is a strong resume builder for students aiming for a scholarly or policy-focused legal career. This is a valuable opportunity among law internships for undergraduates.
Location: Varies by state
Cost: Often unpaid, but some offices offer stipends or academic credit
Dates: Varies by each state’s AG office
Application Deadline: Varies widely by state; check the website for your State AG's office
Eligibility: Typically open to undergraduate students, often with a preference for state residents
Similar to the DOJ programs, many State Attorney General's offices offer valuable law internships for undergraduates. These roles provide exposure to state-level legal issues, including consumer protection, civil rights, and criminal appeals. Interns assist attorneys with legal research, case preparation, and policy work. It's a great way to understand how state law is enforced and to engage with legal issues that directly impact residents of your state.
Location: Various regional offices across the U.S. (e.g., San Francisco, CA; Washington, D.C.; Bozeman, MT)
Cost: No cost; most internships are paid
Dates: Spring, summer, and fall internships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines for each open position
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students with a demonstrated commitment to the environment
For students passionate about environmental law, an internship with Earthjustice is a rewarding option. As the nation's premier nonprofit environmental law organization, Earthjustice offers internships that support its litigation and policy work. Interns may assist with legal research for cases involving clean air and water, endangered species, and climate change. This is a wonderful opportunity to see how the law is used to protect the planet.
Location: Various federal districts across the U.S.
Cost: Typically unpaid, volunteer positions
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring programs are available
Application Deadline: Varies by district office
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates. Specific requirements may vary by role.
These internships offer a counterpoint to the U.S. Attorney's Office, providing experience on the defense side of federal criminal cases. Interns assist Federal Public Defenders and their staff with a variety of tasks, including legal research, drafting motions, reviewing evidence, and helping with client interviews. This is a worthwhile experience for any student considering a career in criminal defense law.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: No cost; interns receive a stipend.
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: Current first and second-year law students
This is a niche, highly engaging internship for students interested in First Amendment law, media, and journalism. It is highly selective, with only three positions available! Legal interns work with attorneys on a range of issues, including access to public records, libel defense, and protecting journalists' sources. They conduct legal research, draft amicus briefs, and develop legal resources for journalists. It provides an opportunity to work with the RCFP Technology and Press Freedom Project team on critical issues related to national security, content-based regulations, and the protection of reporter-source confidentiality. This is a meaningful program if you’re interested in the intersection of law and a free press.
Location: New York, NY (for training), with firm placements in major U.S. cities
Cost: No cost; fellows receive a generous stipend.
Dates: 10-week summer program
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in August and close in the winter
Eligibility: Students who have submitted at least one law school application
While primarily targeting students entering law school, the SEO Law Fellowship is a prestigious program that exceptional incoming undergrads can apply for. It provides intensive academic preparation and a 10-week paid internship at a top corporate law firm in the summer before law school. Fellows receive rigorous training and then work alongside attorneys at elite firms, gaining invaluable experience and connections. It’s a great way to jumpstart your legal education by getting real work experience even before college begins, deeply enriching your learning.
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!
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