15 Law Programs for High School Students
- Lydia Park
- 12 hours ago
- 10 min read
Law is a field that needs careful thinking, clear communication, and a deep understanding of how systems work. If you are a high school student interested in law, public policy, debate, history, or social issues, law programs can help you explore in a structured way. They offer a closer look at how legal systems function beyond what you see in class.
Why should I participate in a law program in high school?
Through law programs, you can study cases, practice writing arguments, and learn how laws are interpreted and applied. Some programs also include simulations, such as mock trials or legislative exercises, that help you understand legal reasoning in practice. This experience is rarely available in regular high school coursework. These programs also add depth to your college applications by showing initiative and engagement with complex material. More importantly, they help you decide whether law is a field you want to pursue further.
With that, here are 15 law programs for high school students to consider!
Location: Partner law schools in New York City (e.g., Columbia, NYU, Fordham, CUNY, St. John’s, Brooklyn, Cardozo)
Cost: Free; stipend awarded upon successful completion
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Up to 30 students per site; selective, rolling admissions
Dates: Early July to early August, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Application Deadline: Rolling (early application recommended)
Eligibility: Rising 9th-grade students from Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens
The Summer Law Institute is a five-week intensive program for students entering 9th grade that introduces them to criminal law, courtroom procedures, and legal reasoning. You’ll study topics like search and seizure and bail, attend field trips to legal institutions, and meet legal professionals. The experience culminates in a mock trial competition judged by real judges. In addition to legal education, the program helps build foundational academic and life skills such as critical thinking, writing, and public speaking. Participation also makes you eligible to apply for Legal Outreach’s four-year College Bound program.
Location: Virtual, hosted by Lumiere Education
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 12-week program; Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3+
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research-focused opportunity designed for high school students who want to explore academic topics in depth. You work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent project in a subject area you choose. Over the course of twelve weeks, you learn how to form a research question, gather information, and develop your ideas into a full research paper. You can select from fields such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and several others. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, New York, NY
Cost: Paid (minimum wage)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; Manhattan residents only
Dates: June 29–July 31, Monday through Friday
Application Deadline: Opens January 26
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who live in Manhattan
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program places you inside the day-to-day workings of a prosecutor’s office for five weeks, giving you a clear view of how criminal cases are built, reviewed, and argued. You will take part in a mock trial, sit in on legal discussions, and learn how prosecutors think through evidence, ethics, and public responsibility. Alongside this, the program focuses on professional habits such as punctuality, communication, and working full-time in a formal office setting. You interact directly with prosecutors and staff from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, gaining insight into both courtroom procedures and behind-the-scenes operations.
Cost: Varies according to program (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships places you inside a real, fast-moving startup environment where your work contributes directly to ongoing business goals rather than simulated tasks. You are matched with a high-growth company operating in fields such as technology, artificial intelligence, health technology, marketing, journalism, or consulting, many of which have already raised significant early-stage funding. Over the course of the typically eight-week virtual internship, you work under a startup manager while receiving structured guidance from a Ladder Coach, allowing you to navigate expectations, deadlines, and feedback in a professional setting. Apply now!
Location: Various legal employers across New York City
Cost: Paid (stipend provided by host employers)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; placement through application and interview process
Dates: July 9 - August 15 (6–8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: New York City public high school students
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program connects New York City public high school students with paid internships at law firms, government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits. You’ll gain work experience in a legal office, participate in professional development workshops, and build your resume for future college and career opportunities. The program includes a formal application and interview process, followed by placement with a legal employer who becomes your direct supervisor. Additional training and networking events are organized by the New York City Bar Association, including a kick-off ceremony and career programming.
Location: Dallas, TX (various law firms and legal departments)
Cost: Paid internship (compensation varies by employer)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; Dallas ISD students only
Dates: June 8–July 31 (varies by session: 4 or 8 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Current juniors at Dallas ISD high schools with a GPA of 85+ and no more than 10 absences
This internship places you in a Dallas-area law firm or corporate legal department for up to eight weeks, offering real-world experience in legal work environments. As a participant, you’ll take a structured curriculum, attend professional events, and interact with attorneys and legal staff. You’re expected to submit a resume, cover letter, transcript, and recommendation, and take part in an interview before placement. Depending on availability and employer needs, you may work part-time or full-time.
Location: Local courthouses in Boston, Springfield, and Worcester, MA
Cost: Paid internship
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; limited to eligible students by city
Dates: July–August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Spring (varies by city)
Eligibility: High school students who live in Boston or attend school in Springfield or Worcester
The Judicial Youth Corps Program is a six-week, paid summer internship focused on legal education and public service. As a participant, you'll learn from judges, lawyers, and court staff through mentoring, educational sessions, and courthouse work. The program combines field trips, mock trials, and interactive discussions to give you a foundational understanding of Massachusetts courts and the rule of law. You'll spend part of your time interning in local courthouses and part attending structured workshops each Friday. Admission is competitive and based on a written application, teacher recommendation, and an interview with court personnel.
Location: Baltimore, MD (law firms and legal agencies)
Cost: Paid ($15/hour)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; limited to Baltimore City public school students
Dates: Late June–mid-August (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Spring (exact date varies)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors attending and residing in Baltimore City
Law Links places high school students in full-time, paid internships with legal organizations across Baltimore while offering an educational program focused on law and leadership. You’ll work in a law-related office and attend weekly sessions as part of a structured 50-hour Law & Leadership Institute. The program includes a formal orientation and mid-week educational meetings covering legal topics and workplace readiness. Interns are provided with professional business attire at no cost, removing financial barriers to participation.
Location: University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free; stipend provided upon successful completion
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; limited to Philadelphia high school students
Dates: Four weeks starting the first Monday after July 4
Application Deadline: Spring (check official site for annual updates)
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-graders attending high school in Philadelphia or nearby counties
University of Pennsylvania’s Provost Summer Mentorship Program is a four-week summer experience that introduces you to law and other professional fields through immersive programming at Penn's graduate schools. As a student in the law track, you’ll explore legal systems, professional pathways, and the societal role of law through activities and mentorship from law students and faculty. In addition to academic enrichment, you’ll receive support in areas like test prep, financial literacy, life skills, and the college application process. The program provides a daily lunch, a SEPTA pass for commuting, and a stipend upon completion.
Location: Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free; up to $250 stipend upon completion; housing fees apply for out-of-town students
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; open to Louisiana students
Dates: June 8–June 26
Application Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders and recent high school graduates entering college in the fall
Suit Up for the Future is a three-week summer legal institute and internship program that introduces you to law school and legal practice through coursework, job shadowing, and field trips. You’ll attend a condensed law school-style seminar, visit local law schools and courts, and work with legal mentors on a mock legal case and oral argument. The program also includes professional development workshops on topics like resume building, LSAT prep, and ethics. Outside the classroom, you’ll shadow attorneys and judges to experience daily legal work first-hand.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; open to students across NYC
Dates: September 20–October 25 (Fall); January 31–March 7 (Spring), Saturdays only
Application Deadline: August 15
Eligibility: High school students who live within commuting distance of NYU’s Washington Square campus
The NYU High School Law Institute is a yearlong, Saturday program offering free legal education to motivated high school students in NYC. You’ll study constitutional law, criminal law, and speech and debate, guided by NYU Law and undergraduate students. Classes emphasize critical thinking, collaborative learning, and evidence-based argumentation. You’ll also get to participate in events like College Day and attend a graduation ceremony at the end of the spring semester. The program is non-residential, so you’ll need to be able to commute to NYU’s campus on weekends.
Location: Varies by year; hosted at college campuses such as Cornell University and the University of Michigan
Cost: Fully funded (includes tuition, room and board, travel, and additional aid if needed)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Highly selective; national and international applicant pool
Dates: June 21–July 25
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 15–17); U.S. and international students
TASS offers a five-week, fully funded summer experience for high school students interested in exploring power, privilege, race, and social justice through the humanities and social sciences. You’ll participate in college-level seminars taught by faculty, with topics ranging from African diaspora studies to structural inequality and political thought. Beyond the classroom, you'll engage in community decision-making, public speaking, writing workshops, and transformative justice practices. Each site builds a close-knit cohort with support from residential advisors and teaching assistants, creating a space for critical inquiry and democratic learning. The program emphasizes intellectual exploration without grades and provides all necessary materials, travel support, and living expenses.
Location: Columbia Law School, New York, NY
Cost: Free (tuition-free program)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; open to NYC and nearby region students
Dates: October 11–November 15 (Fall); January 31–March 7 (Spring), Saturdays only
Application Deadline: September 12
Eligibility: High school students
This year-long, Saturday-based law program introduces you to foundational legal subjects like Constitutional and Criminal Law, with later years offering Moot Court and advanced seminars. Classes are taught by trained Columbia Law School students using law school-modeled curricula and structured classroom activities. As a participant, you'll attend weekly sessions, engage in critical discussions, and build legal writing and public speaking skills. The program includes special events like College Day and talks with federal judges and other legal professionals. You’ll also take part in a final moot court competition and a formal graduation ceremony at Columbia.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,500 tuition; need-based financial aid available (up to 100% coverage)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Highly selective; global applicant pool
Dates: June 21–July 3, July 5–July 17, or July 19–July 31 (session-dependent)
Application Deadline: October 15 (Early Action) or January 7 (Regular Decision)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors (ages 16–18 by July 19); must be first-time participants
This interdisciplinary session invites you to explore the intersections of legal systems, political structures, and economic theory through lectures, seminars, and group projects. You’ll learn about topics like governance, constitutional law, economic inequality, and market regulation while developing analytical and critical thinking skills. Seminars include subjects like game theory, arbitration, and constitutional interpretation, helping you engage deeply with real-world legal and political challenges. The residential program brings together students from over 150 countries for two weeks of academic immersion and cross-cultural dialogue. With substantial financial aid available, it offers access to a wide range of students interested in law, politics, and public policy.
Location: American University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $2,700 tuition; need-based tuition assistance and travel stipends available
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; U.S. students ages 15–18
Dates: July 13–19, July 20–26, or July 27–August 2 (three sessions available)
Application Deadline: March 3 (Early Decision), April 14 (Regular Decision); rolling thereafter
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 from across the United States
This week-long residential program immerses you in the world of civil liberties and issue-based advocacy through workshops, seminars, and direct engagement with ACLU staff and partners. You’ll explore key topics like systemic equality, immigrant rights, censorship, and technology policy while learning from lawyers, lobbyists, and organizers. The program includes a “Day of Action” where you’ll actively participate in real-time advocacy efforts such as lobbying, rallies, and media campaigns. Housing and meals are provided on the American University campus, and students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & 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 is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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