Lana Oconnell
As a pre-law student, you may be wondering if you should pursue an internship and when would be the best time to do so. Legal internships can provide valuable experience and insights into the legal profession, helping you evaluate if law school and a legal career align with your interests and goals. While internships within the legal field are often reserved for current law students, there are still opportunities for undergraduates in government agencies, nonprofits, and small law firms or legal clinics, particularly if you have existing connections. These internships may involve clerical work rather than legal research, but they can offer transferable skills and a better understanding of the day-to-day work in the legal profession. Additionally, you can explore law-adjacent fields, such as non-profit advocacy work or political campaigns, to gain relevant experience and build a strong resume for your future law school application.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to intern | Any time, but summer internships are common |
| Type of internship | Legal internships are rare for pre-law students, so consider law-adjacent fields like non-profit, advocacy work, or political campaigns |
| Where to intern | Government agencies, non-profits, small law firms, legal clinics, corporate legal departments, courts, legal aid societies, law libraries, international legal organizations |
| Benefits | Gain insight into the legal profession, build transferable skills, make professional connections, and determine if law school is the right choice |
| Considerations | Internships can be challenging to secure, as many are reserved for current law students or those with existing connections |
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What You'll Learn
Government agencies and non-profits
For pre-law students, internships are a great way to gain practical experience in the legal field and explore various career options. While internships are not a requirement for law school applications, they can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day work of lawyers and help students evaluate their interest in pursuing a legal career.
Government Agencies
Interning with government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice, district attorney's offices, public defender's offices, or other local, state, or federal agencies can be a rewarding experience. These internships often involve working closely with legal professionals and gaining an understanding of the legal system from a governmental perspective. USAJOBS is the official job site for federal government internships, offering a variety of opportunities for pre-law students.
Non-Profit Legal Organizations
Non-profit legal organizations and public interest groups provide internships that focus on public policy issues and social impact. These internships allow pre-law students to explore the intersection of law and social justice. Websites like Idealist.org offer a comprehensive search engine to find non-profit internship opportunities. Additionally, partnering with public interest law firms and civil rights organizations can lead to diverse law-related internship experiences.
Courts and Judicial Chambers
Internships with courts or judges' chambers offer a unique perspective on the legal system. Working in these environments provides hands-on experience and an understanding of legal procedures. Local court websites often list internship opportunities, making it accessible for pre-law students to gain valuable courtroom exposure.
Legal Aid Societies
Legal aid organizations provide legal services to individuals who cannot afford representation. By interning with legal aid societies, pre-law students can contribute to access to justice initiatives and gain experience in a legal setting. Websites like the Legal Services Corporation list internship opportunities within this domain.
The availability of internships may vary depending on location and season, so it is advisable to research opportunities in your local area and plan accordingly. Additionally, networking and reaching out to organizations directly can increase the chances of securing a suitable internship.
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Corporate legal departments
While law schools do not expect applicants to have had any previous legal employment, nor do they generally give preference to applicants who have had legal internships, there are several benefits to interning as a pre-law student. The primary benefit of a legal internship is that it will likely help you evaluate whether a legal career is a good fit for your strengths and interests. It is hard to know whether you would enjoy any profession without seeing what professionals in that field do on a day-to-day basis. A legal internship would give you access to a legal environment, and ideally, by the end of the internship, you would have a better idea of whether or not law school is the right choice for you.
If you are a pre-law student considering interning in a corporate legal department, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, large corporations with in-house legal teams sometimes offer internships for pre-law students to gain insight into corporate law and compliance. Networking and searching on corporate websites are helpful in finding such opportunities. It is worth noting that it is rare for large law firms to hire undergraduates as interns, and undergraduate interns often perform clerical work rather than legal research. However, there are a small number of corporate legal departments that offer formal internship programs.
To find internship opportunities in corporate legal departments, you can start by networking and searching on corporate websites. You can also explore resources such as Handshake, Badger Bridge, or the Student Job Center for updated opportunities. Additionally, you can look for business-related internships on company websites or through your school's career centre.
If you are interested in gaining experience in a specific area of law, such as corporate law, you can consider targeting your internship search towards large corporations with in-house legal teams. This will allow you to gain insight into the day-to-day work of corporate lawyers and help you determine if this area of law aligns with your interests and career goals.
Overall, interning in a corporate legal department as a pre-law student can be a valuable opportunity to explore the field of law, gain insight into corporate law practices, and make informed decisions about your future legal career.
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Small law firms
While law schools do not expect applicants to have prior legal employment, internships can be a great way to gain first-hand knowledge and professional experience within a law firm. Small law firms do offer internships to undergraduates, although these positions are often given to those with existing connections to the firm.
If you are interested in interning at a small law firm, there are a few ways to find opportunities. Firstly, you could cold-call smaller private law firms to enquire about paid internships. Alternatively, you could look for legal assistant, legal secretary, or legal clerk jobs, which are often entry-level and do not require a J.D. Depending on your state, you may also be hired as a paralegal without certification.
Another way to find internships is through your university. For example, USC offers the Pre-Law Project, which provides students interested in law careers with real legal experiences through partnerships with public interest law firms and civil rights organizations. You could also consider volunteering at one of your university's law school's legal clinics, which can be as simple as emailing the head to express your interest.
If you are looking for a paid internship, it is worth noting that finding a paid legal internship as an undergraduate can be difficult, especially if you are just starting college. In this case, you may want to consider other jobs, such as retail or another office job, which can still provide you with valuable transferable skills.
When applying for internships, keep in mind that the primary benefit of a legal internship is to help you evaluate whether a legal career is a good fit for your strengths and interests. It is a chance to gain exposure to the culture and workings of a law firm and meet attorneys. While you may not be conducting much legal research as an undergraduate intern, you will still gain valuable transferable skills and experiences that law schools are interested in.
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Law libraries
The law library at CUNY School of Law integrates with the Law School's educational philosophy, offering legal research courses taught by Associate and Full Professor-ranked professional staff. These courses provide comprehensive training in legal research, with students applying their skills through experiential learning and case simulations. The library is generally accessible to law students, faculty, and staff during the Law School's operating hours, with specific access policies in place.
Additionally, law libraries maintain relationships with legal institutions and organizations, providing information on internship and learning opportunities. For example, the LibGuides at Clark University offer details on internship programs like the Supreme Court Internship Program, which offers students a chance to gain knowledge about the Supreme Court's role and functions, as well as the Worcester County District Attorney's Office Internship Program, where interns can observe and engage in day-to-day operations.
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International legal organisations
For pre-law students, internships are a great way to gain insight into the profession and determine if law school is the right choice. While large law firms rarely hire undergraduates as interns, there are still many opportunities to gain legal experience. These include internships with government agencies, non-profits, and small law firms. International legal organisations also offer internships, providing a unique opportunity to gain experience in a global context.
One such organisation is the United Nations, which offers legal internships through its International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. These internships provide a unique opportunity to gain experience in an international criminal tribunal, with responsibilities that may include assisting judges during hearings. The United Nations also offers non-legal internships in areas such as external relations, archive management, and human resources.
Another organisation offering international legal internships is the International Bar Association (IBA), the world's largest organisation of law societies, bar associations, law firms, and individual lawyers. The IBA offers internships in its London, The Hague, and Washington DC offices, which are open to undergraduate law students, postgraduate law students, and newly qualified lawyers. Remote internship opportunities may also be available for students studying outside of these locations.
In addition to intergovernmental organisations, international law internships are also available in law firms, companies, and NGOs around the world. These internships can provide hands-on legal experience and the opportunity to work with top industry professionals. For example, interns may participate in client meetings, case management, and legal research, as well as gain exposure to different cultural contexts.
International legal internships can be a great way for pre-law students to gain diverse experiences and build a global network. These opportunities can provide valuable insights into the international legal field and enhance one's understanding of the profession.
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Frequently asked questions
Internships are a great way to gain valuable experience and insight into the legal profession. They can help you determine whether law school and a legal career are suitable for you. Additionally, internships can provide you with transferable skills and experiences that law schools are interested in.
Pre-law internships can be found in various places, including government agencies, non-profits, corporate legal departments, small law firms, and legal clinics. You can also look for internships in law-adjacent fields, such as advocacy work or political campaigns. Websites like Idealist.org, Handshake, Badger Bridge, and the Student Job Center are great resources for finding internship opportunities.
There is no definitive answer to this question, as internships can be beneficial at any stage of your pre-law journey. However, many internships within the legal field are reserved for current law students. Therefore, you may have more luck finding internships in law-adjacent fields or with smaller organisations that may be more likely to hire undergraduates.
