14 Law Programs for High School Students in NYC
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you are interested in law and want to understand what goes into court decisions and legal debates, law programs for high schoolers are worth considering. These programs focus on how arguments are formed, how cases are interpreted, and how rules are applied in different situations. They offer an early look at a field you’d typically only encounter much later.
Why should you consider a law program in New York City?
New York City offers access to a range of law programs through universities, nonprofits, and legal organizations. Being in NYC means exposure to courts, law schools, public interest organizations, and legal professionals who work across many areas of law. These experiences help you decide if you really want to pursue law, and colleges like students who explore their interests outside the classroom.
Below are 14 law programs for high school students in NYC worth exploring!
Location: Various locations across New York City
Stipend: $16 – 22/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6–8 weeks in summer (April-August)
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: NYC public high school students who will be 16 years or older by June 1
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program places New York City high school students in paid legal internships across law firms, corporate legal departments, nonprofits, and government offices. Before beginning the placement, you participate in spring workshops that focus on interview preparation, workplace professionalism, and legal ethics. During the internship, your responsibilities may include organizing case files, assisting with document preparation, conducting basic legal research, or supporting administrative tasks. Many interns also observe court proceedings, client meetings, or hearings, offering exposure to real legal environments. The law program for high school students in NYC also incorporates professional development sessions, including panels with attorneys from different legal sectors.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Manhattan
Stipend: Minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – July 31
Application deadline: Opens on January 26
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 who live in or attend school in Manhattan, New York
The High School Internship Program at the New York County District Attorney’s Office is a five-week internship that introduces you to how a large prosecutor’s office works. You will work alongside assistant district attorneys and see how criminal cases move through the justice system. The program includes court observation, workshops on criminal law and ethics, and basic trial advocacy exercises. You also take part in group projects and professional development sessions focused on public service careers. Through shadowing opportunities, you observe how prosecutors work with victims, witnesses, and defense attorneys.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual internship program where you work with a real startup for about eight weeks. You are matched with a company based on your interests, with options across areas like technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. You work on real projects that matter to the company. Throughout the internship, you report to a manager at the startup and also meet regularly with a Ladder Coach who helps you stay on track and improve your professional skills. At the end of the program, you present your work directly to the startup team. Most participating startups are early-stage, high-growth companies that have raised significant funding. Apply now!
Location: Multiple NYC law schools
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: First week of July – first week of August
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising ninth-grade students from Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island
The Summer Law Institute is a five-week program for students entering ninth grade, organized by Legal Outreach in New York City. You will study criminal justice topics through classes taught by law students and interact with practicing attorneys. The program includes visits to legal institutions and hands-on activities designed to introduce courtroom procedure. A major component is preparation for a mock trial, which culminates in a formal competition judged by legal professionals. Completion of the institute makes you eligible for Legal Outreach’s longer-term College Bound program.
Location: Center for Justice Innovation
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 20 youth
Dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Typically September
Eligibility: New York City residents aged 16-21
The Youth Action Institute Fellowship is a public policy research program focused on youth justice, public safety, and legal equity in New York City. As a fellow, you will receive training in qualitative research methods, anti-oppression frameworks, and NYC’s policy landscape. You identify a policy issue, develop a research question, and conduct multiple phases of analysis. The program is all about research driven by students. You'll use what you find to write up new ideas for public policy. You present your work to community organizations, government offices, and advocacy groups for feedback. Final outputs may include reports, presentations, or educational materials aimed at public audiences.
Location: Various locations across NYC
Stipend: Minimum $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 6 weeks; dates vary by employer
Application deadline: January 16
Eligibility: High school students (ages 16 and above) residing in NYC
Ladders for Leaders is a paid summer internship program run by the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development. You apply through a competitive process before completing pre-employment training focused on resumes, interviewing, and workplace readiness. Internships are offered across industries, including government, nonprofits, and private organizations. For students interested in law, placements may involve legal offices or corporate legal teams. Alongside work responsibilities, you participate in professional development workshops and mentoring opportunities.
Location: New York City
Cost: No cost; $16.50 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: October 20–April 10 (Fall/Spring term)
Application deadline: August 31
Eligibility: You must be at least 16 years old, live in New York City (for fall and spring internships), have work papers at the time you apply, and be in high school or already accepted into college
The NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program places you in a New York City government department based on your interests. You will work on tasks in research, data analysis, policy review, event coordination, or community outreach. Alongside your placement, you attend a bi-weekly Speaker Series at City Hall, where you hear directly from senior city officials, including commissioners and deputy mayors. The program also includes site visits to city agencies and municipal facilities so you can see how local government operates.
Location: Columbia Law School campus
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Classes are conducted on Saturdays throughout the academic year
Application deadline: September 12
Eligibility: High school students
Columbia Law’s High School Law Institute is a free, yearlong Saturday program offering structured legal education for high school students in New York City. You’ll progress through a multi-year curriculum that begins with constitutional and criminal law, followed by moot court and advanced legal seminars. Courses are taught by Columbia Law students using curricula modeled on first-year law school coursework. Classes combine lectures, case discussions, classroom activities, and short written assignments. Upper-year seminars focus on topics such as wrongful convictions, criminal procedure, human rights, and international law.
Location: United States Attorney's Office, Brooklyn and Central Islip, NY
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer placements
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising seniors from accredited high schools
This internship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York offers exposure to the federal legal system. You may assist with administrative or case-related tasks while observing criminal and civil court proceedings. The program includes seminars on topics such as civil rights, public safety, and legal ethics led by federal prosecutors. You may be placed in specialized units, including litigation support, legal research, paralegal services, law libraries, or victim and witness services. Each placement highlights a different operational role within federal prosecution.
Location: NYU's Washington Square Park campus, West Village
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Classes are conducted on Saturdays throughout the academic year
Application deadline: August 15
Eligibility: Open to students entering or currently enrolled in grades 9-12 who live within commutable distance to NYU's Washington Square Park campus in NYC's West Village
The NYU High School Law Institute is a free, student-run program serving high school students across New York City through Saturday classes during the academic year. You will study constitutional law, criminal law, and speech and debate in discussion-based courses taught by NYU Law and undergraduate students. Lessons are structured around legal cases, contemporary issues, and written assignments that build argumentation skills. Classes emphasize critical reading, evidence-based reasoning, and collaborative discussion rather than lectures alone.
Location: Various courthouses across New York City
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school junior (rising senior) residing in NYC’s five boroughs; Must provide working papers
The Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program places you in the chambers of a state or federal judge in New York City. You will assist with legal research, observe court proceedings, and help prepare materials related to cases. Alongside your placement, you attend weekly sessions focused on public speaking, critical thinking, college preparation, and legal careers. Mentorship is a central part of the program, giving you regular access to judges and legal professionals.
Location: NYU School of Law
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11
NYU’s Pre-Law Bootcamp is a short academic program that introduces you to legal studies and legal careers. The program is run by New York University and is designed for high school students interested in understanding how the law works. You will study core topics such as substantive law, litigation, and the structure of the U.S. legal system through lectures and case discussions. Classes focus on real legal cases so you can practice legal reasoning and basic analysis. The program also includes panels with legal professionals and discussions about careers in public interest law, courts, and government agencies. At the end of the program, you receive an NYU transcript.
Location: Online (accessible from anywhere)
Cost: $1,795
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Accessible (no transcripts or letters of recommendation required)
Dates: 2-week or 4-week sessions; next session begins January 18
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up; no grade restrictions specified
The online Law course from the University of Notre Dame introduces you to how lawyers analyze legal problems. You learn to use the IRAC method, a standard framework lawyers rely on to break down legal issues and apply the law clearly. The course covers several areas of law. You will study constitutional law by comparing the U.S. Bill of Rights with the constitutions of other countries. You explore international law, including the role of the United Nations, major treaties, and how human rights claims are brought. You also examine intellectual property law and how it protects ideas, brands, and creative work. Another section focuses on sports law, where you look at contracts, league rules, compliance, and gender equity in professional sports.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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