15 Philadelphia Law Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 3 days ago
- 11 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
An internship is one of the best ways to prepare for a future career in law. It helps you strengthen skills like research, writing, and communication while giving you the chance to work alongside attorneys, judges, and advocates. You’ll also start building professional connections that can support you throughout your career.
If you’re studying in Philadelphia, a local internship can be especially valuable. Staying nearby makes opportunities more accessible, and it allows you to grow your network within the city’s legal community.
Philadelphia is home to respected courts, law firms, advocacy groups, and nonprofits that cover a wide range of legal areas, from criminal justice and appellate litigation to immigration and public interest law. This makes it a strong setting if you want to explore different career paths in the profession.
In this guide, you’ll find 15 Philadelphia law internships for undergraduates. Each one has been selected for its prestige, the quality of experience it provides, and the opportunities it offers to connect with professionals in the field.
Note: We’ve added internship opportunities hosted in Philadelphia, as well as virtual internships open to students in Philadelphia
15 Philadelphia Law Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort - Spring (February), Summer (2 cohorts - April/May/June as applicable), Fall (August) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who can commit to 10-15 hours/week, for 8 weeks
Undergraduate students who are keen to pursue an internship in a law-associated field can consider enrolling for the Ladder University Internship program, a highly selective, fully remote start-up internship program for ambitious undergraduate students. No experience required! In the 8-week program, you gain real-world working experience and develop technical and professional skills across 8 sessions with the host company. The program wraps up with a professional-level work project presentation. You can receive a reference letter from your start-up founder or manager, which will boost your resume. You could consider a law internship with a consulting or non-profit startup. Here is the application form.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: $5,250 stipend
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) attending colleges and universities in the U.S.; commitment to the full 10-week program
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) Internship offers undergraduates an opportunity to train for a career related to civil liberties alongside a cohort of other interns. In this 10-week in-person Philadelphia law internship for undergraduates, you will typically work 40 hours/week individually as well as in teams in diverse activities related to education, planning conferences, outreach events, and more. You will learn the foundational arguments for protecting core rights, get exposure to policy reforms and legislation, and develop key skills in legal research and writing. Other work includes developing activism plans for the rights of students on campus and providing support for research and administrative projects. You will also attend educational sessions and law seminars, and meet free speech experts.
Location: Clean Energy Program office, Philadelphia, PA (also at other locations across the U.S.); hybrid option available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid/paid with the highest national minimum wage
Dates: Vary, with cohorts in Spring (January - May), Summer (May – August), and Fall (August - December); maximum 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort, typically applications open in August (spring), January (summer), April (fall)
Eligibility: Undergraduates, graduates, and law students
Earthjustice, a nonprofit public interest environmental law organization, offers internship opportunities for undergraduate students keen to dive into environmental advocacy. You will work alongside legal strategists, analysts, policy experts, scientists, and other personnel. You will be assigned meaningful projects in a field of specific interest, such as legal operations, litigation, litigation administration, policy and legislation, and more. You will develop research and data analytical skills in legal case strategies or legal proceedings, and enhance organizational and legal writing skills. Earthjustice also offers part-time/full-time volunteer opportunities for undergraduate students.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Rolling (summer, fall, spring cohorts)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduates and law school students; commit to a minimum of 10hours/week
The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) and the Council Migration Service of Philadelphia (HIAS Pennsylvania) offer internships in legal services departments for students interested in immigrant and refugee rights. You will typically intern for 10 hours/week during the academic year and 35 hours during the summer, providing support to attorneys who offer legal and supportive services to low-income and at-risk immigrants. You will learn about immigration law and get hands-on experience working with clients. You may also be assigned other tasks, such as participation in outreach events.
Location: Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 12+ (an earlier cohort had 20 interns)
Cost/Stipend: Information not available
Dates: June 2 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law students
The Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) offers undergraduate students an opportunity to work in the field of national security and intelligence from the standpoint of ethics and the rule of law. You will develop research skills on various constitutional and statutory interpretations, and interact with legal experts and officials for guidance on team projects. You will analyze and investigate issues related to mitigating national security risks. You will also attend talks by guest speakers on legal and policy issues and provide support for upcoming workshops, conferences, and public programs.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Information not available
Dates: Rolling
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students; should commit to at least 8 hours per week, with preference given to those who are available 16 hours/week or more
Undergraduate students keen to work in the legal field associated with immigrants and refugees could consider the various internships offered at the Nationalities Service Center. The center provides a diverse range of services to immigrants and refugees, including legal protections and remedies, and you can take up one in your field of interest, such as an internship that includes providing support to case managers or one that connects clients to legal services for the green card application, or doing administrative tasks in the Data and Compliance department. You will get the opportunity to attend monthly professional development training and workshops, and volunteer for special projects.
Location: Philadelphia, PA (also offered at New Jersey and Kennett Square offices)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Rolling
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: College-age or older students
The firm of Solow, Hartnett, and Galvan Immigration Law offers two internships for students interested in immigration law. In the Law Clerk internship, you will get hands-on experience while assisting with the legal representation of clients. You will observe the legal proceedings in an immigration court, write legal briefs, draft immigration forms, provide research support, and more. In the Paralegal internship, you will focus on communication with clients and attorneys and assisting with paperwork. You will prepare and file immigration forms under the guidance of attorneys and senior paralegals, conduct research on the requirements for asylum and refugee status, and more.
Location: Philadelphia, PA (also offered in Pittsburgh, PA)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Information not available
Dates: Vary for spring and fall cohorts (summer internship currently not available)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
Women's Law Project (WLP), a public interest legal organization that offers legal and other services to defend and advance the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people, offers part-time internships for undergraduate and graduate students. You will work with attorneys and experts to advance gender justice, including in areas of litigation, policy advocacy, and more. You will develop knowledge about court reforms, equity in athletics, pregnancy discrimination, and other gender issues. This Philadelphia law internship for undergraduates will also develop skills such as drafting legal briefs and amicus briefs, and professional communication skills through interaction with attorneys and clients.
Location: Corporate Headquarters, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Information not available
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current junior or senior-level undergraduates pursuing a degree in business/risk management/law, or a related field; should have proficiency in Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, Power Automate, Power BI, and relevant data tools and dashboards
Undergraduate students looking for a Philadelphia-based law internship while pursuing a degree in legal studies, business, risk management, or a related field could consider Enviri Corporation's Global Compliance & Ethics Internship program. This internship is an opportunity to get a foundation in global compliance standards and real-world ethical business practices. You will get hands-on experience in corporate compliance, policy management, and due diligence processes. You will enhance critical thinking and project management skills while working independently on assigned tasks.
Location: Philadelphia, PA (NJ and NY locations also available)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Pay between $7,000 and $9,000/month
Dates: Rolling
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: College students, recent graduates, or those considering law school; students committing to at least one year of work preferred
The Rosenblum Law internship offers undergraduate students hands-on training in various areas of law, such as family law, copyright law, criminal defence, and more. Internship activities alongside attorneys include observing and attending court proceedings. You will develop professional communication skills in the field of legal consultations while meeting clients. You will also receive guidance and mentorship from experienced attorneys in the field of legal careers. The firm will provide LORs to support your law school application, and you can earn a $10,000 annual scholarship by working for a year and continuing during law school as well!
Location: Multiple locations, including Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Currently enrolled college and graduate students with a 3.0 or higher; should meet any other qualification criteria as required
Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers college students and graduates an opportunity to gain hands-on experience to explore potential federal careers through the Pathways Intern program. You will work full-time or part-time in a field related to your academic area of study after onboarding and orientation sessions. For example, undergraduates pursuing a law-related program in college could consider taking up work as a Policy Analyst Intern. You will participate in the department's program reviews to assess compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. You will also attend mentoring sessions and participate in professional development activities. On completing the program, you may be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a term/permanent job in the Federal civil service! Check for DOJ opportunities here.
Location: EEOC Philadelphia District Office, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (assistance with academic credit, externships, or external stipends available)
Dates: Vary, with fall, spring, and summer cohorts
Application Deadline: July 29 (fall), October 16 (spring), March 29 (summer); typically, students can also apply throughout the year if opportunities are available
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have completed their sophomore year of college, law students, and graduates
Philadelphia undergraduates who are interested in taking up a law internship with a federal agency could consider interning with the Charge Receipt/Technical Information Unit (CRTIU) of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Philadelphia District Office. You will provide support in screening and interviewing individuals who seek to file a charge of employment discrimination and review the related correspondence to check if it alleges a claim under the current laws. You will be assigned other tasks, such as drafting charges of discrimination, corresponding with charging parties or employers, analyzing documents, records, and evidence, contacting witnesses, and more. In addition to clerical tasks, you will work on assignments to enhance research, analytical, and other skills. You will also get the opportunity to observe fact-finding, mediation, and settlement conferences.
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Information not available
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in political science, international relations, communications, business administration, safety & security, or related majors must return to school to continue academics/the internship must be the last requirement for graduation
Apple Inc.’s Legal and Global Security Internships provide structured learning opportunities for undergraduates in Philadelphia looking for law internships in the fields of consumer law, entertainment law, intellectual property and licensing, and other legal fields. You will work alongside attorneys, paralegals, business groups, and global advisors on domestic and international legal matters. You will work on a diverse range of projects and assignments, such as preparing legal memos, making presentations, doing research on legal issues and regulatory developments, and more. You will enhance your analytical and problem-solving skills, and take responsible decisions in a collaborative team. Check for this internship opportunity in Philadelphia here.
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (college credit may be offered)
Dates: Vary, with multiple cohorts (fall, spring, summer)
Application Deadline: April 29 (fall), September 2 (spring), (summer - TBD)
Eligibility: Undergraduates currently enrolled in an accredited degree or certificate program with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA or equivalent; must be a U.S. citizen; first- and second-year law students and LLM students are also eligible
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Scholars program offers students the option to work part-time or full-time during this internship. You will typically work a minimum of 16 hours/week. You will be assigned a diverse range of work related to securities regulations projects, such as assisting with the drafting of documents, reviews, public outreach, and more. You will also get opportunities to participate in networking events, employee assistance programs, and counselling sessions on a potential career path.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Rolling
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
Atlantic Center for Capital Representation (ACCR), a legal services organization, offers undergraduate students an opportunity to gain knowledge about, and work in, the field of capital litigation. You will work under the supervision of legal experts and board officials in work related to capital defense. You will be assigned specific tasks such as conducting research on capital defense cases and participating in ongoing consultations. You will interact with lawyers and mitigation specialists and get training opportunities. Undergraduate students interested in the criminal legal system and nonprofit operations can also take up a general internship with ACCR.
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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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