15 Law Internships for Undergraduates in Pittsburgh, PA
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you are an undergraduate student studying law or planning to enter the legal field, completing an internship is one of the most effective ways to gain early experience. A law internship gives you exposure to real cases, courtrooms, and legal research, while also building the professional skills you need for both law school and future practice.
Pittsburgh offers a wealth of opportunities across law firms, nonprofits, courts, and government offices. These internships can involve tasks like drafting documents, shadowing attorneys, observing hearings, and assisting with client intake. You not only see how the legal system functions day to day but also build connections that can guide your career.
With that in mind, here are 15 law internships for undergraduates in Pittsburgh, PA! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Law Internships for Undergraduates in Pittsburgh, PA
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. Spring (February), Summer (2 cohorts - April/May/June as applicable), Fall (August), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who can work for 10-15 hours/week, for 8 weeks
Ladder Internships is a highly selective virtual program where students work on real-world projects for startups in fields like health tech, biotechnology, AI, and sustainability. You’ll be paired with a company coach who provides structured feedback and professional guidance every week. You’ll gain experience in research and communication, wrap up the program with a final presentation, and walk away with a strong addition to your resume. Placements are aligned with each student’s interests, and financial assistance is available. Alumni have gone on to attend universities such as Stanford, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.
Location: Allegheny County Courthouse, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free with school credit offered with approval by the school
Dates: Varies by the cohortÂ
Application Deadline: March 3 (summer), August 8 (fall)
Eligibility: Undergraduates can apply
The Allegheny County DA's Office offers undergraduates an internship opportunity to gain practical experience in public service and criminal law. You can also get an externship during the school year to earn credit towards coursework. Internships are offered in various units, including the juvenile court, the civil court, narcotics, investigations, direct appeals, domestic violence, etc. You will get hands-on experience with a wide range of work, including writing legal briefs and trial motions, diving into legal research, and assisting attorneys in preparing for trials. You will also get the opportunity to accompany attorneys at trials, jury selection, and more.
Location: Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: $15/hour
Dates:Â
Application Deadline:Â
Eligibility: Undergraduates currently enrolled in a relevant degree program; graduate students
The Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) offers a paid internship for undergraduate students interested in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or related fields. You’ll work up to 29 hours per week while shadowing certified caseworkers across six office locations in Allegheny County, PA. As an intern, you’ll observe how professionals support families facing challenges like mental health crises, housing insecurity, and child neglect. You’ll take part in home visits, assessments, court testimony, and case documentation. If you’re entering your senior year and want to become a Child Welfare Caseworker, CYF also offers a 975-hour intensive internship.
Location: Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: $15/hour
Dates:Â
Application Deadline:Â
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in a college or university in Allegheny County or a legal resident of Allegheny County; all majors are eligible
Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) Internship Program offers you a 10–13 week opportunity to explore how local government supports communities through human services. If you're an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD student living in or attending college in Allegheny County, you can apply for part-time internships (20–29 hours/week) that build your professional and technical skills. You’ll work on hands-on projects, work with public service leaders, and attend workshops to grow personally and professionally. Check for internship opportunities in an area of interest here.
Location: Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: Internships are offered in spring, summer, and fall cohorts, typically lasting 10–13 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort. For summer, the deadline is April 29
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in a program of higher education with volunteer/professional experience in a similar field
The Allegheny County DHS Immigrants and Internationals Initiative Internship gives you a chance to work directly on issues affecting immigrant communities in Allegheny County. If you're currently enrolled in college, you can apply to be either a general project intern or a special project intern. As a general intern, you’ll support outreach events, help develop programs, and assist with the Immigrants and Internationals Advisory Council. You’ll also attend meetings, take minutes, and manage resources. As a special project intern, you’ll focus on specific goals like research, community engagement, or policy development. Know more details here.
Location: Women’s Law Project, Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by the cohortÂ
Application Deadline: Rolling, until full
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students, especially those pursuing law or public policy. Law students must coordinate with their school for academic credit.
Women’s Law Project Legal Internship gives you hands-on experience working on gender justice issues alongside attorneys and staff in either Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. If you're interested in public policy, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, or court reform, this internship helps you build solid legal skills. You’ll support attorneys with legal research and writing, help draft legal briefs and amicus briefs, and may assist with judicial bypass cases. You’ll also attend staff meetings and work directly with clients and community partners.
Location: Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Office, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: 10-week summer term. Year-round externships are also available for law students.
Application Deadline: Rolling, until positions are filled
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates with research and writing skills
The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania offers a 10-week summer internship. You’ll work with a mentor and gain experience in federal public defense, capital habeas cases, courtroom advocacy, criminal law, client relations, and investigation. Your tasks can include legal research, drafting motions and memoranda, reviewing records, conducting investigations, and observing court proceedings. The program also offers training sessions and brown bag events on careers in public defense, legal writing, and professional skills.
Location: Multiple locations in Pittsburgh, PA (hybrid model available)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (stipend details not known)
Dates: Mid-May - August (40 hours/week, at least 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Postings go live early in the fall semester, and interviews begin before winter break
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed their sophomore year and are in good academic standing.
The Duquesne Light Company Summer Internship Program is a 12-week, paid internship in Pittsburgh that starts in mid-May and ends in early August. If you're interested in law, you may be placed in the Office of General Counsel or another legal-related department. You’ll work full-time on project-based assignments like legal research, drafting documents, reviewing contracts, and supporting compliance efforts. The program also includes professional development sessions, networking events, and exposure to different business units. Explore opportunities with DLC here.
Location: Multiple locations across Pennsylvania
Cost: Free
Dates: Internships typically run during summer, fall, and spring semesters, with a minimum of 160 hours
Application Deadline: Most summer applications close in early spring. Students should apply several months in advance.
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited bachelor’s degree program (some units require enrollment in specific subjects) should complete 60 credits and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA
The Pennsylvania State Police Internship Program is an unpaid opportunity for you to explore law enforcement and public safety. You can work in Troops, Bureaus, or Offices and assist with administrative tasks, research, and operational projects. You’ll gain hands-on experience and learn how different parts of the department operate, including areas like criminal investigation, forensic services, training, and homeland security. Internship durations depend on placement. Troop and Bureau internships require at least 160 hours. Internships with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security range from 120 to 180 hours. You may be asked to commute using your vehicle. Explore PSP internships here.
Location: Multiple locations across Pittsburgh
Cost: Unpaid/paid internships @ $15/per hour (paid internship requires City residency)
Dates: Vary, as per available opening
Application Deadline: RollingÂ
Eligibility: Currently enrolled and taking classes in an accredited college or university undergraduate/graduate program; recent graduates are also eligible
Undergraduate students in Pittsburgh colleges can pursue an internship with various departments of the City Government. As a law student, you can work at the Department of Law on assigned tasks, including clerical and technical ones, and research work. You will gain knowledge of the departmental procedures, rules, and regulations while analyzing data, drafting reports, documenting procedures, and more. Check here for opportunities.
Location: Multiple locations across PA
Cost: Free
Dates: Volunteer and intern roles are offered year-round, with flexible start dates and varying time commitments depending on the project
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: You must be 18+ and able to commit to assigned responsibilitiesÂ
The ACLU of Pennsylvania Volunteer and Intern Program is a way for you to support civil liberties work as a law undergraduate. You can volunteer by helping with outreach, attending public meetings, supporting legislative advocacy, and assisting with administrative tasks like research and data entry. You can also join County Action Teams focused on local civil rights issues. Internships may be available in legal areas like immigrant rights, voting rights, and criminal justice. You may do legal research, write memos, and support litigation or policy work.Â
Location: ALC offers internships in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Applicants must specify location preference.Â
Cost: No cost. All internships and fellowships are unpaid, but ALC supports applicants seeking external funding.
Dates: Summer legal internships run for 10 weeks, typically from May to July. Other internships are offered year-round.
Application Deadline: For summer legal internships, applications are accepted October 1 – January 31
Eligibility: Fellowships are open to rising third-year law students/recent law graduates; internship eligibility not specified
The Abolitionist Law Center offers internships if you are a law student or recent graduate interested in social justice and prison reform. You can join their 10-week summer program in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, where you’ll work on cases involving solitary confinement, compassionate release, post-conviction defense, and jail conditions. You may conduct legal research, draft documents, observe court proceedings, and support litigation. You can also take part in court watch or organizing internships, which give you experience observing court operations, identifying systemic inequities, and supporting community advocacy. Year-round organizing internships let you work with impacted communities and learn how grassroots efforts drive change. ALC also offers legal fellowships for rising third-year law students and recent graduates, focusing on challenging solitary confinement.
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: Vary (spring, summer, fall cohorts)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by semester
Eligibility: Students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs in courses relating to criminal justice; satisfactorily completed 60 college credits
The Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center (PaCIC) and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security offer full-time, unpaid internships in Harrisburg if you are a college student studying criminal justice, criminology, homeland security, or intelligence analysis. If you intern with PaCIC, you’ll learn about the mission and structure of the State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and PaCIC, and observe how criminal and counterterrorism intelligence supports law enforcement. You may assist analysts with mapping, creating timelines, and association charts, and see how raw data is turned into actionable intelligence.Â
If you intern with the Office of Homeland Security, you’ll assist with training events, tabletop exercises, cybersecurity research, and infrastructure protection projects. You may also support grant programs and reporting requirements while gaining insight into state-level homeland security operations.
Location: Remote (travel to some events may be required)
Cost/Stipend: $1,000/semester stipend + mileage reimbursement for travel to and from any required events
Dates: Varies by the cohort (spring, summer, fall cohorts)
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
The Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services offers internships if you are a law, pre-law, or graduate student interested in environmental justice and community law. You can work remotely across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, assisting with tasks such as researching municipal policies, translating legal documents into accessible formats, and supporting community engagement efforts. You may be placed in the Legal Services Program or the Community Democracy Program, where you will contribute directly to ongoing projects and advocacy work. Check internship details here.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: None listed
Dates: Fall, Spring, Summer (semester-based; timing varies)
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications for summer are usually reviewed on a rolling basis; applicants are encouraged to apply early)
Eligibility: 1Ls and 2Ls for summer (for undergraduate roles, inquire by contacting ELC staff directly); strong commitment to racial justice and education access recommended.
The Education Law Center of Pennsylvania Legal Internship Program is a way for you to support civil rights in education as a law student. You can intern in the Pittsburgh office during the academic year or summer and work on projects that advance racial justice and equitable education for underserved students. You’ll assist with legal and policy advocacy, research education laws, and support litigation and community partnerships. Interns participate in team meetings and receive mentorship from staff attorneys.Â
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in the legal field, 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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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