Top Law Internships for High School Students

Did you know that aspiring lawyers start preparing for law school even before they go to college? If you are a high school student interested in law, you can gain valuable experience through law internships and law summer schools.These programs  allow you to understand how a legal practice works and what your future job may involve  

Getting early exposure to the world of law instills confidence and also helps you become familiar with the day-to-day challenges of being a lawyer. If you relish arguing court cases or creating influential legislation, legal internships and law summer schools can be a productive stepping stone. While law summer schools are often designed specifically for high school students, the majority of law internships are only open to university students who have completed (at least) their first year. Moreover, to access some of them, you must reside in particular areas of the US.   this guide helps you navigate the complex landscape of of the best law internships and summer schools  for high schoolers.

Top Law Internships for High School Students 

1. Law Links Internships 

Law Links  is a 7-week paid summer internship program for Baltimore City public high school juniors and seniors. The internships place students in law firms and law-related agencies; interns work full-time and are remunerated ($15 an hour) as well. To be eligible to apply, one must attend a Baltimore City public high school and live in Baltimore City.

Alongside on-site work practice, students also attend the Law & Leadership Institute, a 50-hour course at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.Interns are supplied with get professional uniforms from Ann Taylor or Joseph A. Banks, so that they become familiar with what constitutes ‘appropriate’ dressing. By supplying a uniform, Law Links  enhances social inclusion. It ensures that “no student is at a financial disadvantage when purchasing business attire”.

2. Legal Outreach Summer Law Institute

The Legal Outreach Summer Law Institute (SLI) is  a five-week summer law school  which  introduces students to the theory and practice of law. Unlike most summer schools, the SLI is free and offers a small remuneration to participants, but only eighth grade students from Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens, are eligible to apply. 

Participants are taught criminal justice by law students and lawyers, go on field trips to legal institutions, and learn the skills needed to perform as attorneys in a mock-trial. The summer program concludes with a mock-trial competition with real judges! Students acquire knowledge and develop disciplines that will enhance their performance as they enter high school. Upon completion of the program, students can apply to Legal Outreach’s 4-year College Bound program, an initiative designed to guide students in their journey to higher education through mentorship system.  

3.Brooklyn District Attorney High School Internship

The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office provides legal internships for  high school students throughout the year. They are highly competitive but it is worth applying because they give the opportunity to work in a district attorney's office. Interns may be asked to assist in investigations, to attend trials, to prepare documents, to analyze legal research and data and take part in outreach initiatives. Interns are assigned to one of the following specialized bureaus/units: Homicide, Special Victims, Violent Criminal Enterprise, Domestic Violence, Civil Rights, Victim Services, Crime Strategies, Investigations. 

4. National Student Leadership Conference’s: Law & Advocacy Program

The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC): Law & Advocacy Program is a summer school held at some of the most prestigious US universities: Yale, Michigan and Goergetown. It enables high school students to develop the advocacy skills and knowledge they need for a future career in law. This is achieved through experiential simulations of the various stages of a trial, such as jury selection, evidentiary procedure, direct and cross examinations. 

Participants will also gain a new perspective on the legal profession by interacting with experts in the field and trips to US Supreme Courts.   Participants may role-play  the role of trial attorneys, practice  courtroom techniques, examine evidence, and argue challenging murder cases as a professional would in real life. Another highlight of the program is the partnership with American University (AU), which offers the opportunity to earn college credits for attending NSLC summer schools.

5. Dallas Bar Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP)

The Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) is a partnership between the Dallas Bar Association and the Dallas Independent School District (ISD) and  provides a placement with a law firm or corporate legal department across the Dallas metro area.The internships last up to eight weeks, typically take place during June and July. To apply, students must attend a high school of the Dallas ISD  and have an outstanding academic record: an average of 85 or above and no more than ten absences in the academic year.       

6. Judicial Youth Corps Program

The Judicial Youth Corps (JYC) Program is an educational summer program which lasts six weeks and is run by the Supreme Judicial Court's Public Information Office . JYC  brings together a summer school and internships in a single program On the one hand, it offers paid internships in courts located in Massachusetts cities: Boston, Springfield and Worcester. To be assigned to internships in Boston, one must be resident in Boston. As far as internships in Springfield and Worcester goes, applicants must attend a school located in these cities.

On the other hand, through a series of educational sessions, JYC teaches  high school students about  the Massachusetts court system and the rule of law. Students are mentored by judges, lawyers, clerks, probation officers, and other court personnel who volunteer their time to teach and guide them. Participants engage in a variety of learning activities, including mock trials, field trips, and group discussions while covering legal concepts and principles.  The program lasts six weeks and offers students a hands-on, interactive learning experience that covers legal concepts and principles. Students are selected through applications, teacher recommendations  

7. Manhattan High School Internship Program

The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a five-week intensive course and paid internship that gives students first-hand insights into  criminal justice. To be considered for the program, candidates must reside in Manhattan and have to submit a one-page resume together with a 300-word essay discussing their interest in criminal justice. Successful candidates attend workshops and lectures, participate in mock trial competitions, and get professional practice in the operations of the District Attorney's Office and the criminal justice system in general. 

8. National Youth Leadership Forum: Law & CSI

The National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Law & CSI is one of the best legal internships in the US  capital. The program provides high-school students from across the US with a hands-on approach to law and crime scene investigation (CSI). Interns experience the entire process from crime investigation and evidence gathering, to courtroom proceedings and a criminal trial.

They may enroll in the legal or CSI ‘track’, depending on what interests them the most. Both the law and CSI tracks  involve interactive workshops and simulations of trials, and criminal cases. Participants may role-play trial attorneys in a courtroom, practise advocacy techniques, examine evidence, and discussing challenging murder cases as a professional would in real life. 

Another highlight of the program is the interactive panel with university professors and forensic scientists, who will explore the latest high-tech applications during criminal investigations. They also take field trips to  George Mason University to familiarize themselves with university life

Prepare for Law Internships with Confidence 

These law internships expose you to the legal profession and set you up for academic and career success in the future. Always check eligibility and application instructions for each program that you apply to. Most internships require you to be passionate about the legal field, and there's no better way to prove that than by participating in relevant extracurricular programs.

If you want to improve your chances of competing for coveted internship positions, then an extracurricular such as the Indigo Research High School Program is good for you. Our program will help build your expertise and sharpen your critical thinking and research skills. This will give you a competitive advantage when applying for an internship or college. Start investing in your future today, get in touch with us for more information about the Indigo Research Program.