15 Law Internships in Los Angeles for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
For undergraduates interested in pursuing legal careers, internships are one of the most effective ways to gain early exposure to the profession. Unlike classroom learning, these experiences allow students to practice essential skills such as legal research, writing, and client communication, while also learning how the justice system functions in real-world settings.
Since most colleges do not offer an undergraduate law major, these internships provide a critical stepping stone for students preparing for law school or exploring whether a legal career is the right path.
Los Angeles stands out as one of the most dynamic legal hubs, home to leading law firms, government agencies, and public-interest organizations. This means students in the region have access to internships that are not only diverse but also highly competitive and career-shaping. Law internships in Los Angeles for undergraduates are especially valuable because they combine prestige, rigorous professional training, and opportunities to network with attorneys, judges, and leaders in the nonprofit sector.
In this article, we’ve curated 15 of the top law internships in Los Angeles for undergraduates, selected for their structured training, mentorship, and networking potential.
Location: LA Civil Rights, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Varies, scheduled between the Department and interns
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
The Los Angeles City Civil Rights Department offers students the opportunity to support legal initiatives that protect marginalised communities in LA. You’ll choose between two tracks: Legal Internship, supporting the Civil Rights Enforcement Unit and Commission on Civil Rights, or Policy Fellowship, focused on research, policy development, and communications work.. In the Legal Internship track, you’ll support investigations into claims of discrimination within employment, housing, education, or commerce. Policy Fellows will work on developing research reports and policy briefs, creating presentations on policy issues, and assisting the Department’s commission and advisory boards. The LA Civil Rights Department hosts interns throughout the year, developing a schedule based on students’ availability, making it a flexible option to pursue both during the school year and the summer.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type, full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Spring: January | Summer: May | Fall: September | Winter: November
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10 to 20 hours per week for 8 to 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious students. Based on your academic strengths and interests, you’ll be paired with a growing startup or nonprofit organization in need of services related to your skill set. Start-ups offering internships span a variety of industries, including law, tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. You’ll work under the guidance of a company mentor to develop a long-term project, completing a series of deliverable assignments along the way. At the end of the program, you’ll present your final project to the company board. This fully remote internship is ideal for students seeking a flexible schedule and opportunities to build one-on-one connections and network with high-level company employees.
Location: Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 225 in Spring, 450 in Summer, 225 in FallIncludes interns from high school, undergraduate, graduate, and law programs across LA County
Dates: Spring: January - May | Summer: June – August | Fall: September - December
Application deadline: Spring: November 15 | Summer: April 15 | Fall: July 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students | Options also offered for recent graduates, high school, and law school students | Interns must pass a background check
The LA County District Attorney’s Office hosts students for law internships throughout the year, providing exposure to prosecution and investigative practice in a large city setting. Your tasks may include analyzing crime statistics, conducting research on active cases, compiling reports, and assembling case evidence notebooks. You’ll also have the option to pursue a Paralegal Internship, where you’ll complete tasks at the first-year law student level for a specialized DA unit. Potential departmental placement options include Fraud and Corruption, Specialized Prosecution, and Central Operations.
Location: Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Summer: early June - early September | Fall: mid-August - early December | Spring: early January - early June | Interns are expected to commit at least 16 hours/week to the internship
Application Deadline: Rolling | Summer: April 30 | Fall: June 30 | Spring: November 30
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled as an undergraduate or pre-law school student, or recent graduates | Must be at least 18 years old
The LA County Public Defender’s Office hosts undergraduates for four internship programs: Legal, Investigator, Paralegal, and Communications. You’ll work on assignments such as collecting client information, developing case files, conducting legal research, and providing technical assistance. As the largest public defender’s office in the U.S., you’ll gain exposure to large-scale legal operations and the ability to engage with a high number of experienced prosecutors, defenders, and legal experts. You’ll receive placement-specific training and mentorship. Investigations Interns will mainly work with investigators, Legal Interns will mainly work with attorneys, and Paralegal Interns will mainly support paralegals, so choosing a track aligned with your long-term plans is ideal for making the most of your experience. You’ll also receive networking opportunities through structured mentorship and programming with criminal defence attorneys in the Office.
Location: ACLU offices in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, and Bakersfield, CA, with remote options
Stipend: Unpaid. ACLU supports interns in seeking external funding
Dates: Summer internships are 8-10 weeks | School-term / quarter internships during Fall, Spring, or Winter require a commitment of ~10 hours/week
Application Deadline: Summer: February 20 | Fall: August 1 | Spring Semester & Winter Quarter: December 5 | Spring Quarter: February 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students (particularly in law and social work) | Non-students of all ages are eligible to volunteer
Undergraduates interested in law internships that directly support civil rights can pursue opportunities at the ACLU of Southern California, with placement options including Criminal Justice and Police Practices, Economic Justice, and Immigrants' Rights. You’ll work on initiatives in policy advocacy and legal campaign development, with tasks including leading client intake meetings, writing legal reports, and large-scale projects analyzing legal issues in your campaign focus area. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage with the community, supporting the Youth Liberty Squad program and creating public-focused presentations and community engagement events. To prepare for your future career, you’ll attend “Brown Bag” education events with attorneys and nonprofit leaders, receive guidance in applying to law school and clerkships, and be trained in legal skills like client interviewing.
Location: Inner City Law Center, Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Summer: May - July | Winter/Spring: January - April | Fall: August - November
Application Deadline: Applications are considered on a rolling basis beginning in January (Summer), June (Fall) and November (Spring)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate, graduate, and law school students
LA’s Inner City Law Center offers individual and structural support to end homelessness in Los Angeles County, providing law internship opportunities for students seeking to contribute to their initiatives. You’ll work alongside attorneys, paralegals, and project managers on active cases, client assistance, and community outreach programs. Your assignments will include conducting legal research and policy analysis, drafting motions, assisting with trial preparation, and helping clients prepare for hearings. You’ll develop professional skills through training on housing law, veterans’ issues, and successful trial performance, while networking with LA attorneys and officers.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Hourly rate of $28–$38
Dates: January 1–30
Application Deadline: Rolling; final deadline November 20
Eligibility: Undergraduates entering senior year and Master’s studentsInterns must be at least 18Preferred majors: Accounting, Criminal Justice, Finance, Law and Policy, Political Science, or related fields
Protiviti’s Legal Consulting Internships offer students interested in law the opportunity to apply their skills to the consulting sector. You’ll build a professional skill set in The Intern Challenge program, where you’ll be trained in consulting and business operations. Based on your interests, you’ll then be assigned to a specific project area, where you’ll work alongside Protiviti consultants on assisting an ongoing client case. Your assignments will range from industry and company research, data analysis, and client relationship management in the legal sector, encompassing litigation, contracts, legal risk and compliance, and corporate transactions. You’ll be mentored by a group of advisors, attend networking events, and participate in group social activities to build connections at the firm. Based on your performance, you’ll be considered for a full-time position after graduation, making this internship an opportunity to solidify a future career.
Location: Los Angeles, Berkeley, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Typically unpaid; stipends available after 3 months at 21+ hours per week
Dates: 3–5 months, minimum 10 hours per week
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Law students and pre-law undergraduate students
California Lawyers for the Arts hosts undergraduates for their internship program in Lawyer Referral and Information Service, where you’ll support the assignment of clients to attorneys and initial client meetings. You’ll hold intake calls with prospective clients, where you’ll conduct interviews on their legal needs, draft a case summary for attorneys, and determine which LRIS attorneys are the best fit for each case. You’ll learn about the specialized field of arts-related law, with practice areas including copyrights and trademarks, contract negotiation, and nonprofit organization formation. You’ll have access to networking opportunities with attorneys and professionals in the LA arts and nonprofit community, and develop professional skills in legal writing and client support. Even if you’re not intending to practice in an arts-related field, your experience will prepare you for similar practice areas like mergers and acquisitions and corporate law. Externship credit may also be available.
Location: Placements in Los Angeles, CA and worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Vary by internship
Application Deadline: Vary by internship
Eligibility: Varies by internshipMany open to current undergraduate studentsOpportunities often specify preferred majors or skill sets; check individual postings for details
Human Rights Watch’s law internships expose students to the legal processes of developing international standards for rights protection. HRW’s internships focus on specific projects and specialization areas, so you’ll pursue a path tailored to your skills and interests. You’ll complete assignments like legal research, drafting legal documents, and applying foreign language skills to translate materials for international audiences. You’ll have access to professional development opportunities through mentorship from HRW staff, networking with government officials from the U.S. and abroad, and attending educational lectures and training. While an unpaid internship, HRW supports students in coordinating academic credit with their colleges, so you can use your experience to get ahead in coursework.
Location: U.S., including Los Angeles, with remote or regional options
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduates eligible for most positionsSome roles may require additional qualifications
Students interested in immigration law and refugee rights can build hands-on experience with the International Rescue Committee’s internship opportunities. You’ll assist IRC staff on a specific human rights initiative or administrative area. While opportunities vary based on organizational priorities, common tasks include assisting with case management for Ukrainian refugees, performing legal compliance and quality assurance for IRC operations, and supporting refugees with citizenship applications. Your work may also include database management, interviewing refugees seeking IRC support, planning immigration information sessions, and guiding refugees through the citizenship application process.
Location: Multiple law firm placements available in Los Angeles, CA | Initial 2-week training held in NYC
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Dates: 2 weeks of intensive Law Institute training followed by a 10-week summer associate placement
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current seniors who are planning to attend law school after graduation and have submitted at least one law school application
The SEO Law Fellowship supports students from underrepresented backgrounds in law with a comprehensive and highly selective training and internship program to prepare for law school. You’ll spend two weeks in NYC for the Law Institute, focused on 1L curricula and skills, including legal writing, discussions on legal practice areas, and seminars with law school professors to prepare for future coursework. For the remaining 10 weeks, you’ll be placed at a top corporate law firm, many of which are based in Los Angeles, for a summer associate internship experience equivalent to those offered to law students. You’ll draft legal documents, conduct legal research, assist with transactions, and support attorneys with active cases. Focused on both academic and professional training, this program offers networking opportunities with both law school staff and practising attorneys.
Location: Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks over the summer; some shorter 6-week options may be available
Application Deadline: January 5; applications open the preceding summer with rolling review
Eligibility: Current high school, undergraduate, and law students
Loyola University’s Project for the Innocent initiative hosts students for summer internships, where you’ll work directly on current cases focused on overturning wrongful convictions. You’ll be mentored by a Project for the Innocent attorney, typically working on one or two specific cases. Assignments include visiting imprisoned clients to provide case updates, interviewing witnesses, conducting research on related wrongful conviction cases, writing legal documents, and reviewing evidence. You can read more about student experiences here.
Location: Various A&M offices in the U.S., including Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 8-10 weeks in June - August | Some longer internships are offered in Europe
Application Deadline: Recruiting begins in the prior summer, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis | Applying early is highly encouraged
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduates, and law school students | Specific internships may have internal major or coursework requirements
Students in Alvarez & Marsal’s law internship program pursue hands-on work in the field of corporate and tax law across fields including Compensation & Benefits, Tax Consulting, and Global Tax Incentives. You’ll directly contribute to client-facing work in case teams, providing legal and financial advising. Assignments may include generating legal reports, conducting research on legal and accounting compliance, and analyzing financial data. Outside of legal experience, you’ll also build a background in economic research, consulting, and project management, preparing you for a career in law or professional services like finance and management consulting.
Location: LAFLA Offices, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Flexible, negotiated between volunteer/intern and LAFLA
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law students, attorneys, social workers, and other community members over 18
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles gives students hands-on experience in a wide range of legal practice areas while learning about social justice issues in the criminal justice system and supporting vulnerable LA residents. You’ll contribute to pro bono cases in fields like employment, criminal record expungement, housing and homelessness, and immigration. You’ll coordinate an internship structure and timeline alongside LAFLA staff, providing flexibility in the tasks you pursue. Legal assignments may include interviewing clients, drafting legal documents, and assisting attorneys in preparing for hearings. Students in non-law fields who are interested in supporting free legal services can also find opportunities to contribute to the organization. LAFLA also seeks out support with case management for students studying social work, and students fluent in foreign languages spoken by immigrant clients are sought out to provide translation assistance.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Generally unpaid; limited stipend available for students with financial need
Dates:
Spring and Fall: 8 weeks, part-time
Summer: 10 weeks, full-time
Application Deadline: Varies by season; see specific internship posting
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law studentsPolicy & Programs recommend prior policy research experienceCommunications prefer students in journalism, communications, or related fields
The Asian Americans Advancing Justice law internship program hosts students from all racial and ethnic backgrounds who are interested in supporting the rights of Asian Americans through legal and political initiatives. You’ll focus on one of AAJC’s specialization areas, such as Communication, Development, or Policy & Programs, based on your interests. Communications interns focus on public relations outreach and writing press releases. Development interns draft grant proposals and solicit donations, while Policy & Programs interns research legislation and write public comments on policy developments. You’ll also have the opportunity to write testimonies for congressional hearings, providing insight into federal law in areas such as immigrant rights and racial profiling. AAJC supports interns in obtaining course credit for their work, helping you add legal experience to your transcript and get ahead on graduation requirements.
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 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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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