15 Summer Law Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Sep 10
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 5
If you are an undergraduate thinking about pursuing law after graduating, a summer internship can give you a clear way to explore the field before committing to law school. You get to step into practical legal settings and see how the work is done every day. This could mean watching court hearings, reviewing case files, drafting documents, or helping with research. It is a way for you to connect classroom learning with actual practice.
These internships can also serve as an early introduction to the skills that matter in law. You will practice writing, analyzing arguments, and paying attention to detail. Many programs also focus on communication and teamwork, since legal work often happens in groups. By the end of the summer, you will know how your strengths fit into the profession and where you may need to grow.
Plus, internships build networks. You will meet lawyers, professors, or judges who can guide you as you move forward. These experiences also stand out on applications for law school or other graduate programs, since they show you already have direct exposure to the field.
With that in mind, here are 15 summer law internships for undergraduates! If you're looking for more prestigious internships for high schoolers, check out this set of blogs!
15 Summer Law Internships for Undergraduates
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students! Apply here
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: Offered in New York, Washington, D.C., or remotely, depending on the department
Cost: Stipends may be available for some positions (e.g., $15/hour for certain programs), but many are unpaid or offer academic credit.
Dates: 10 weeks full-time or 12 weeks part-time
Application Deadline: Varies depending on available opportunities
Eligibility: Primarily for law students, with some opportunities for undergraduates who have completed their sophomore year
The ACLU offers remote and hybrid internship opportunities in various departments, including the legal department. You can work full-time for 10 weeks or part-time for 12 weeks. You’ll draft memoranda, affidavits, and briefs; conduct legal and policy research; explore prospects for new litigation; and help prepare public education materials. You’ll also track and analyze legislative bills and may support advocacy before domestic and international human rights bodies.
Location: Remote
Cost: None
Dates: August/September – December (fall), January – April/May (spring), and May/June – August/September (summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors
The American Bar Association offers remote internships year-round through its Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice. You will work with staff on civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights issues. You’ll help develop and implement policy projects, monitor legal and legislative developments, and may attend congressional hearings, Supreme Court arguments, and coalition meetings. You will write reports, contribute to the Section’s newsletter, support social media, and may pursue an independent project.
Location: New York, NY
Stipend: $560 per week
Dates: 9 weeks starting the first Monday in June
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current college sophomores and juniors who have completed a minimum of 2 years of college by the start of the program
The New York District Attorney’s internship introduces you to the criminal justice system and local law enforcement. You will work with Assistant District Attorneys and staff. They are typically involved with investigating and prosecuting criminal cases, providing support to crime victims, assisting with investigations, and analyzing pending legislation. You can expect to assist in investigations, hearings, and trials; prepare, compile, and analyze legal and non-legal documents and financial data; perform research, observe witness interviews, participate in community outreach programs, and attend trials.
Location: Washington, DC
Cost: Free
Dates: 8 - 12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed two semesters of undergraduate study and meet one of the following criteria: be actively enrolled in an academic program during the internship term, be returning to a degree program immediately after the internship term, or be participating in a federal fellowship program following the internship term.
The Supreme Court Internship Program is a paid opportunity for college students to gain professional experience at the Supreme Court of the United States. You’ll be placed in one of several departments, such as the Office of the Curator or the Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice. You won’t work directly with justices or on active cases, but you’ll support staff with research, writing, and administrative tasks. You’ll attend Court sessions and seminars hosted by the Supreme Court Fellows, and you may be eligible to apply for the Supreme Court Fellows Program after your internship.
Location: Washington, DC
Cost: None
Dates: Internships are offered during fall, spring, and summer; Duration and schedule are tailored to each student’s academic calendar
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law students in good academic standing
The OAG offers a rigorous, unpaid internship for undergraduate students interested in law and public service. You assist attorneys with legal research, drafting motions, advice memos, discovery, and trial preparation. You may take notes during depositions, gather documents, and even observe jury selection or opening statements. The program includes field visits, such as tours of the D.C. jail and Court of Appeals, and seminars on topics like ethics, environmental law, and domestic violence.
Location: Various locations across the US
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: Typically run June through August
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Currently enrolled students, those on a gap year, as well as recent graduates
If you're an undergraduate or graduate student passionate about public service, law, policy, communications, or STEM, CAPAL’s paid internship program is a good choice. You’ll be matched with a government agency or nonprofit based on your interests and skills, with placements available across the U.S., including Washington, D.C., California, and Alaska. You’ll start with an in-person orientation in D.C. and take part in the Washington Leadership Program. Throughout the internship, you’ll attend professional development workshops, roundtable discussions, and a career fair. The program wraps up with a closing ceremony to celebrate your experience.
Location: Washington, DC
Cost: Free
Dates: May 5 – July 25, May 19 – August 8, June 2 – August 22, or June 16 – September 5
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current students at an undergraduate institution or graduate school
Criminal Law Internship Program (CLIP) is a highly immersive, investigative internship offered by the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS). If you're an undergraduate student interested in criminal law, this program gives you direct experience working with staff attorneys to advocate for clients. After a one-week training, you’ll take on investigative tasks such as locating and interviewing witnesses, taking detailed statements, conducting criminal background checks, serving subpoenas, and meeting clients in the community. You’ll be placed in one department - Trial, Special Litigation, Parole, or Civil Legal Services and will also visit the court as part of your work.
Location: Remote or in-person in various locations
Stipend: $5,500 (full-time) or $3,300 (part-time)
Dates: May 25 – August 14
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis throughout April
Eligibility: Open to U.S.-authorized undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in social entrepreneurship, policy, or nonprofit work, including a capstone project and mentorship.
The Koch Internship Program is a 10-week hybrid internship that blends weekly virtual education with hands-on work experience at a partner organization. If you're a student interested in policy, business, communications, or social entrepreneurship, this program gives you the chance to grow professionally while contributing to real-world projects. Each Thursday, you’ll join virtual development sessions focused on themes like classical liberalism, self-actualization, resume building, and policy impact. The rest of the week, you’ll intern with a nonprofit or business aligned with the Stand Together network.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: 10 weeks
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis till April 1
Eligibility: All undergraduates can apply
Loyola Project for the Innocent (LPI) Summer Internships is a hands-on legal internship where you’ll work directly on real innocence cases under the supervision of a licensed attorney. If you're a high school, college, or law student interested in wrongful convictions and criminal justice reform, this program gives you the chance to gain meaningful experience. You’ll learn how to navigate the incarceration system, secure discovery files, and conduct interviews with clients and witnesses. Your responsibilities may include reviewing legal documents, taking detailed statements, and visiting clients in prison.
Location: Washington, DC
Stipend: $5,250
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduates who have completed their first year, or recent graduates within one year of graduation, from an accredited institution.
OCA Summer Internship Program is a full-time, paid internship based in Washington, D.C., designed for students who want to make an impact on issues affecting the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. You’ll be placed at a nonprofit, federal agency, congressional office, for-profit corporation, or other organization aligned with OCA’s mission. Throughout the 10-week program, you’ll attend weekly Friday workshops focused on AANHPI issues, meet legislative officials, and participate in leadership development sessions. You’ll also take part in OCA’s National Convention, complete APIA-U: Leadership training, and join Advocacy Day, where you’ll meet members of Congress to advocate for AANHPI concerns.
Location: Charlotte, NC
Cost: None
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer, typically starting in late May or early June
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted during fall and spring recruiting cycles
Eligibility: Upper-level undergraduate and Master’s students
Womble Intellectual Property (IP) Internship Program is a 10-week summer internship designed for upper-level undergraduate and master’s students with science or technical backgrounds who want to explore careers in intellectual property law. You’ll be based in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Charlotte, North Carolina office and work alongside patent attorneys, agents, and technical advisors. During the internship, you’ll receive training and complete tasks such as reading claim rejections, responding to office actions, searching for prior art to assess patentability, and adapting European claims for U.S. patent applications.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: May be available
Dates: 9 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in philosophy, political science, international relations, and other related fields interested in examining the intersection of rule of law values, applied ethics, and national security
The Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) Summer Internship Program is a 9-week, full-time internship hosted by the University of Pennsylvania for undergraduate, graduate, and law students interested in national security, ethics, and the rule of law. You’ll work in teams under the supervision of CERL leadership to conduct research, write policy briefings, and help plan conferences and public programs. You’ll interact with national security experts and contribute to CERL’s academic publications and blog, The Rule of Law Post. Your work may include analyzing legal frameworks, exploring ethical dilemmas in warfare and governance, and publishing original writing.
Location: Remote or in person in Arlington, VA
Cost: None
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: All undergraduate and master’s level students, as well as recent graduates
The NDAA Internship Program is a semester-long, unpaid internship offered by the National District Attorneys Association for undergraduate and graduate students interested in criminal justice policy. You’ll work directly with NDAA staff on issues affecting elected and appointed prosecutors, including child abuse, domestic violence, gangs, gun violence, animal abuse, traffic law, and legislative reform. During the internship, you’ll research topics of interest, write articles for Prosecutor Magazine, attend congressional hearings and Justice Department briefings, and provide detailed notes and reports.
Location: Lynn, Lawrence, or Lowell, MA
Cost: None
Dates: Spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: May (tentative) or until all spaces are filled
Eligibility: Law and undergraduate students
Northeast Legal Aid Internships offer a client-centered, holistic advocacy experience for undergraduate and law students committed to public interest work. If you join the summer cohort, you’ll begin with a comprehensive orientation and participate in inter-office intern events, Learning Lunches, and professional development activities.
You’ll be placed in one of several departments, such as Housing, CORI sealing, Consumer, Employment, Public Benefits, Family, Elder, Cambodian Outreach, Medical/Legal Partnership, Community Development, the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), or the Northeast Justice Center. Your responsibilities will vary by unit, but may include conducting intakes, gathering facts, managing cases, contacting clients, performing legal research, writing, attending staff meetings, and observing court proceedings.
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 Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop a research paper.
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