Savanna Hoffman
For law students, internships are a great way to explore the legal field and gain practical experience. They offer valuable insights into the day-to-day workings of a law firm or legal institution, allowing interns to perform legal research, draft documents, and even interact with clients. While large law firms typically don't offer legal internships, there are still plenty of options available. Government agencies, non-profits, smaller law firms, and local legal aid organizations often provide internships for law students or undergraduates interested in a legal career. Additionally, international organizations, such as the United Nations, and pathway programs designed to prepare undergraduates for law school, can also offer valuable internship opportunities. These internships can provide a competitive edge and help law students make more informed career choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Internship Type | Paid or Unpaid |
| Internship Duration | Summer, Part-time, Full-time |
| Organizations offering internships | International Legal Organizations, Law Libraries, Legal Aid Societies, Nonprofit Legal Organizations, Government Agencies, Smaller Law Firms, Judicial/Chambers, County Clerk’s, Public Defender, Attorney General, District Attorney’s offices, Civil Rights Organizations, Public Interest Law Firms |
| Internship Location | Local, Global |
| Internship Application Sources | Large job boards like Handshake, Google, LinkedIn, Company/Organization's website |
| Internship Application Materials | Resume, Cover Letter |
| Internship Interview Preparation | Dress formally, Review common interview questions |
| Internship Benefits | Networking opportunities, Learning about the legal field, Building resume, Learning transferable skills |
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What You'll Learn
International legal organisations
For law students, internships are a great way to gain practical experience and build a professional network. International legal organisations offer a wide range of opportunities for interns to get involved in cross-border legal matters and gain exposure to international law.
The United Nations, for instance, offers legal internships through its International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. These internships provide a unique insight into the day-to-day workings of an international judicial institution. To apply, you must be enrolled in or have completed a graduate programme, with a preference for specialisation in certain disciplines. Applications are processed through the United Nations' career management portal, Inspira.
The International Bar Association (IBA), the world's largest organisation of law societies, bar associations, law firms, and individual lawyers, also offers internships. IBA internships are available in London, The Hague, and Washington, DC, to undergraduate and postgraduate law students, as well as newly qualified lawyers. Remote internship opportunities may also be available for students outside the UK or the host country.
Other international law internships are offered by organisations such as The Intern Group, which provides "first-class, hands-on legal internships" in law firms, companies, and NGOs across the globe. Their previous placements include large multinationals and LegalTech firms.
International law firms with global practices are another option for internships, allowing interns to gain experience in cross-border legal matters and develop an understanding of international legal systems.
When seeking international legal internships, it is important to consider your specific interests and the type of experience you want to gain. Research the organisations and their internship programmes thoroughly, and don't hesitate to reach out and network with professionals in the field to learn more about their experiences and advice.
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Government agencies
For law students, internships at government agencies can be a great way to gain experience and explore the legal field. These internships offer valuable opportunities to work on legal matters related to government policies and public service. Here are some insights and suggestions for interning at government agencies:
Judicial/Chambers Offices
Interning at judicial or chambers offices can provide law students with valuable insights into the judicial system and courtroom procedures. These offices are often involved in legal research, document preparation, and administrative tasks related to court operations. Interns may have the opportunity to work closely with judges, court clerks, or legal staff, gaining a deeper understanding of the legal process.
County Clerk's Offices
County clerk's offices are responsible for maintaining legal records, handling legal documents, and providing administrative support to courts and government agencies. Interning at a county clerk's office can expose law students to the inner workings of legal record-keeping, documentation, and the intersection of law and government administration.
Public Defender and District Attorney's Offices
Public defender and district attorney's offices offer internships that provide valuable experience in criminal law and litigation. Interns may assist with legal research, case preparation, client interactions, and trial procedures. These internships offer a unique perspective on the criminal justice system and allow law students to contribute to ensuring access to justice for individuals who cannot afford representation.
Attorney General's Offices
Attorney General's offices oversee legal matters at the state or federal level, depending on the country and its legal system. Internships in these offices can involve working on a variety of legal issues, including legislative affairs, law enforcement, consumer protection, and civil rights. Interns may gain exposure to a wide range of legal disciplines and contribute to shaping government policies and initiatives.
U.S. Attorneys' Offices and Summer Law Intern Programs
U.S. Attorneys' Offices, as well as similar offices in other countries, often offer summer law intern programs. These internships are usually targeted at law students and provide valuable experience in government legal work. Interns may have the opportunity to work on cases related to civil and criminal litigation, learn about government legal processes, and develop their legal skills under the supervision of experienced attorneys.
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Non-profits
Non-profit organisations are a great place for law students to gain experience in the legal field. While paid internships are hard to come by in the non-profit sector, these organisations often offer valuable opportunities for interns to get involved in a wide range of tasks and gain exposure to the workings of a legal organisation.
Legal Aid DC, for example, is a non-profit law office that provides exciting internship opportunities for undergraduates and law students who want to gain experience in public interest work. Law student interns are assigned to one of Legal Aid DC's practice areas, such as Housing, Domestic Violence and Family Law, Public Benefits, Consumer, Immigration, Appellate, or Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform. Interns assist attorneys by attending hearings, helping with court-based projects, and conducting legal research and writing. Legal Aid DC was included in the 2019 list of "Best Non-Profits to Work For" by The Non-Profit Times, recognising its commitment to employee well-being, professional development, and an inclusive workplace.
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights is another non-profit organisation that hosts undergraduate and graduate interns in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Interns gain invaluable experience in the field of civil rights and exposure to the work of a non-profit legal organisation. While the internships are unpaid, the Committee works with students to receive academic credit or outside funding for their work.
In addition, Idealist.org is a great resource for finding internships with non-profit organisations. The website offers a search engine specifically for non-profit and common good work, making it easier for law students to find opportunities in this sector.
Non-profit organisations often rely on interns to handle tasks that would otherwise be performed by staff members. While interns may lack experience, they contribute by taking on responsibilities such as intake calls, data entry, legal research, and writing assignments. It is important for non-profits to provide meaningful experiences for interns while also ensuring that they can meet their financial obligations to permanent employees and maintain their ability to serve their target communities.
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Law libraries
Law Library of Congress
The Library of Congress offers a variety of internships and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. These include:
- The Global Legal Research Volunteer Internship Program: a volunteer internship intended for LLM students interested in foreign law.
- The Summer Remote Program: a part-time, remote, and independent program that focuses on writing and researching a digital legal collection.
- The Remote Legal Gazette Program: a project that increases the visibility of the Library of Congress's foreign legal gazettes.
- The Remote Metadata Program: a program that allows interns to learn about research and online searching by creating metadata and keywords from historical legal material.
Other Law Libraries
There are also internships available at other law libraries, such as:
- Northeastern University Law Library in Boston, MA
- Goodson Law Library at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina
- The Supreme Court of Ohio in Columbus, Ohio
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Smaller law firms
Additionally, smaller law firms often have internships specifically targeted at undergraduates or pre-law students. These internships can provide a great opportunity to learn about the law and explore whether it's the right career path for you. You can perform valuable work for the firm and its clients, such as drafting documents, conducting legal research, and preparing and organizing files. You may also interact with clients by sitting in on meetings or answering phones.
To find internships at smaller law firms, you can search large job boards like Handshake, Google, or LinkedIn. However, it can be tricky to find internships specifically for undergraduates, so consider targeting a specific area or city and researching local companies. Going directly to a company's website can be a good way to find opportunities nearby.
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Frequently asked questions
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) offers a six-week, paid internship program for high school students, where they can learn what it takes to be a social justice advocate. The National Student Leadership Conference also holds a summer Law and Advocacy Program at Yale, Georgetown, and the University of Michigan.
Most large law firms do not offer legal internships for undergrads, so consider looking at government agencies, non-profits, and smaller law firms. Some law firms may offer internships in other areas of their business, which can give you an insight into the workings of a law firm.
Many components and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices hire students through the Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP). Most successful applicants intern between their second and third years of law school.
Large job boards like Google or LinkedIn can be good starting points. For undergraduates, it may be helpful to target a specific area or city and research the companies, non-profits, and agencies that operate there. Go directly to their websites to find nearby opportunities.
