1. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program places New York City public high school students with legal employers for the summer. Job assignments in firms vary depending on the employer’s needs, but typically include supporting paralegals, filing, record keeping, assisting library and back-office personnel, data entry, and document and exhibit organization. This internship is highly competitive.
Program Dates:
Early July to late August
Application Requirements:
- Manhattan resident or enrolled in a Manhattan high school
- Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors
- Resume
- Students must pass an official interview and demonstrate academic excellence through their school transcript
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor, or employer
- 250-500 word writing sample
- Maximum 250-word Statement of Interest explaining why you are a good fit for the program
Application Deadline:
January 2025. Check back for the 2026 program application.
2. The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program
The Manhattan District Attorney’s high school law internship provides an insider’s view of the criminal justice system. Interns will be paired with a staff member to receive guidance and support. They have the chance to participate in workshops and discuss criminal justice, police brutality, civic engagement, leadership, and more. This internship is paid at minimum wage.
Program Dates:
June 30, 2025 – August 1, 2025
Application Requirements:
- Manhattan resident
- Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors
- Resume
- 300-word essay discussing your interest in criminal justice. Example prompt: Discuss what “one standard of justice for all” means to you
Application Deadline:
March 12, 2025, at 5 PM EST. Check back for the 2026 program application.
3. Massachusetts Judicial Youth Corps Program (JYC)
The Massachusetts Judicial Youth Corps Program (JYC) is a paid, intensive educational summer internship for high school students living in Massachusetts who want a balance of hands-on experience and educational sessions. JYC teaches about the Massachusetts court system and rule of law. Mentors include judges, lawyers, clerks, probation officers, and other legal court personnel. Activities include mock trials, field trips, group discussions, and more. JYC students gain experience working in local courthouses and attend educational sessions on Fridays. This is a paid internship.
Program Dates and Locations:
Six weeks from July to August 2025. The program is offered in three different locations: Boston, Worcester, and Springfield.
Application Requirements by Location:
- Applicants must be residents of the City of Boston to apply for the 2025 Boston Judicial Youth Corps Program
- Applicants must attend a high school located in the city of Worcester to apply for the 2025 Worcester Judicial Youth Corps Program
- Applicants must attend a high school located in the city of Springfield to apply for the 2025 Springfield Judicial Youth Corps Program
Application Deadlines by Location:
Boston JYC accepts applications on a rolling basis, with interviews beginning March 1, 2025.
Worcester JYC application deadline is April 10, 2025.
Springfield JYC application deadline is April 11, 2025.
Check back for the 2026 program application.
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4. US Department of Justice Pathways Internship Program
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Pathways Program is a collection of multiple part-time or full-time paid internships for students interested in a career in the U.S. federal government. The DOJ Internship Program is open to high school students as well as college and graduate students. Students work in federal agencies and can convert their internship to a permanent job in civil service upon graduation. DOJ Pathways Program is formerly known as the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP).
Application Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time in school or a qualifying career or technical education program
Open internship positions are regularly added on USAJobs. Double-check the requirements of each posting to make sure you’re not applying for a college-level internship.
5. Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program
The Atlanta Bar Association Law Internship Program (SLIP) is an 8-week paid intensive summer law internship for students in Atlanta-area high schools. Students are matched with internships at local law firms, with over 940 students placed in paid positions since 1993. SLIP partners with law firms and organizations in the Atlanta Metro area, allowing high school interns to build valuable connections with legal professionals. The Atlanta Law Internship Program is rigorous and requires a significant time commitment and dedicated effort to complete.
Program Dates:
May 28, 2025, to July 18, 2025
Application Requirements:
- Students must be current juniors and seniors (11th-12th grade) to apply for the summer internship
- Applicants must pass an in-person interview
- Applicants are not restricted to living within the Atlanta Metro area. However, 95% of the internship placements are inside Interstate 285, so students should consider commute times
Application Deadline:
March 20, 2025. Check back for the 2026 program application.
6. Dallas Bar Association Summer Law Intern Program
The Dallas Bar Association Summer Law Internship program places high school juniors (11th grade) with law firms and corporate legal departments throughout the Dallas area.
Program Dates:
Session 1: June 9 – July 31, 2025
Session 2: July 7 – August 1, 2025
Full Session: June 9 – August 1, 2025
Application Requirements:
- High school junior enrolled at a school in the Dallas Independent School District
- Academic range of at least 85
- No more than 10 school absences
- Demonstrated interest in studying law
Application Process:
- Minimum 100-word application essay
- Cover letter and resume with relevant law experience and accomplishments
- One recommendation letter from a teacher, counselor, school administrator, or past internship employer
- School transcript
- Available interview days
Application Deadline:
April 4, 2025. Check back for the 2026 program application
7. Baltimore Law Links Internship
Baltimore Law Links Internship is a 7-week paid summer law internship for rising high school juniors and seniors (11th-12th grade) from Baltimore City public high schools. Baltimore Law Links internships prepare high school students for professional legal careers, including providing free professional attire for student interns from retail stores. Baltimore Law Links matches high school students with internships at law firms and law-related agencies in the Baltimore area. Interns work full-time, in-person, and receive $15/hour pay. Students also attend a 50-hour educational seminar by the Law & Leadership Institute, held at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
Interns must commit to working seven full-time weeks and will not be excused for other time commitments within program dates. While working, student interns must wear the provided professional attire.
See which law firms and legal offices employed high school student interns in 2024 from Baltimore Law Links.
Program Dates:
June 23 – August 8, 2025
Application Requirements:
- Applicants will finish their sophomore or junior year of high school by the summer
- Program only accepts rising high school juniors and seniors (11th-12th grade)
- Applicants must attend a Baltimore City public high school and live in Baltimore City
- 1-page Letter of Interest
- School transcript beginning from 9th grade through current year
- School attendance record beginning from 9th grade through current year
- Three letters of recommendation:
- One letter from your Principal, Vice Principal, Guidance Counselor, or College Bound Counselor
- One letter from a teacher
- One letter from a community leader (i.e., minister), work supervisor, mentor, or coach
- YouthWorks application verification form and completed application form
Application Deadline:
April 5, 2025. Check back for the 2026 program application.
8. Communities in Schools (CIS) of Houston Summer Legal Internship Program
Houston Summer Legal Internship is an 8-week paid summer internship for high school juniors and seniors (11th-12th grade) that prepares them for law careers, life and leadership skills, and professional work environments. The program places students in Houston-area law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest agencies.
Program Dates:
June 10 to August 2, 2025
Application Requirements:
- Applicants must be high school juniors and seniors enrolled at a CIS of Houston-supported school
See more opportunities offered to high school students by Communities in Schools of Houston. Programs include the Summer Patient Care Assistance (PCA) Internship Program, the Lazarus Energy Empowerment Program (LEEP), and the Behavioral Health Workforce Recruitment, Education & Development Initiative (WREDI).
9. Nashville Bar Association Diversity Committee Summer Intern Program
Nashville Bar Association’s Diversity Committee Summer Intern Program offers paid and unpaid internships in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government law offices in Metro Nashville. Nashville’s high school summer internship program is seven weeks and offers employment at a legal department, networking opportunities with local lawyers, and mentorship from various legal community members. Students work 6-8 hours every weekday, with “Lunch and Learn” sessions each Friday. The Nashville law internship program blends hands-on workforce experience with more traditional teaching sessions. In these Lunch and Learns, high school students will be guided on how to apply for law school and succeed in future legal professions.
Program Dates:
June 2 – July 18, 2025
Application Requirements:
- Graduating senior
- 250-500 word essay answering:
- Why is diversity important in a professional legal work environment?
- What are your career goals?
- How do you think the 2025 Summer Intern Program will help you achieve your goals?
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and good attendance record
- Students must pass two interviews: one with the Program Selection Committee and another with the prospective employer
Application Deadline:
March 28, 2025. Check back for the 2026 program application.
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10. Memphis Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program
Memphis Summer Law Internship places high school students in the Shelby County, Tennessee area in private law firms, corporate law divisions, or governmental agencies. Interns will work a total of 60 hours, allowing them to experience the legal workplace, and are paid a $500 stipend. The Memphis Bar Association is looking for high school students with a strong interest in law as a future career and previous involvement in school or community activities or employment.
Program Dates:
June 2025
Application Requirements:
- Minority high school student in good academic standing
- Rising sophomore, junior, or senior in high school
- Shelby County, Tennessee resident or attend high school within the area
- Students will participate in a group interview and submit a Statement of Interest
- Students can only be accepted into the program once
Application Deadline:
March 28, 2025. Check back for the 2026 program application.
11. Massachusetts Trial Court High School Summer Internships
The Massachusetts Trial Courts have just opened applications for 11 high school summer law internship positions—a unique and valuable opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to gain firsthand experience in the legal system and explore careers in public service and law. Students selected for the program will work directly with court staff, observe real-world legal proceedings, and contribute to projects that make a difference, while earning $17/hour over eight weeks this summer. Students with questions can contact matrialcourtjobs@jud.state.ma.us.
Program Dates:
July 2025
Application Deadline:
April 27, 2025, at 11:55 PM. Check back for the 2026 program application.
12. Legal Outreach Summer Law Institute
The Summer Law Institute (SLI) is a New York City-based 5-week summer law program for students entering high school in fall 2025. SLI is hosted by seven reputable New York City law schools, including Columbia Law School, NYU School of Law, and Fordham University School of Law. Each law school site accepts up to 30 students. Taught by current law students, the SLI program is packed with field trips to legal institutions and networking events with working lawyers. The summer law program concludes with an intensive mock trial that puts students’ skills to the test. SLI presents high school students with a rare, enriching experience within the law workforce.
Program Dates:
First week of July through the first week of August, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Application Requirements:
- Rising 9th-grade students who are residents of New York City boroughs: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. Staten Island residents are also welcome to apply, but they must be wary of the commute time
- Two letters of recommendation from teachers
- Eighth-grade report card
Apply for the Legal Outreach Summer Law Institute. Decisions are made on a rolling basis, so apply soon!
13. City of Boston – Mayor’s Youth Council
This fall, the City of Boston is recruiting twenty 14 to 19-year-old high school students to participate in the Boston Mayor’s Youth Council. The summer program runs annually from September to May, the length of a typical school year. This highly competitive and rewarding program selects 20 community-dedicated, devoted, high-achieving students. Applications are open from June through August. Students will participate in weekly council meetings with city officials and community leaders in the Boston area. These 20 Youth Council members will organize Youth Town Halls to discuss community service projects addressing local needs, foster volunteerism, and spearhead public awareness campaigns via social media, public forums, and other outreach methods. They will serve as advisors to the Mayor and city departments on youth-related policies and programs.
Application Requirements:
- You must be a high school student in fall 2025, a City of Boston resident, and between the ages of 14 and 19
Apply for the City of Boston Mayor’s Youth Council.
14. U.S. Department of Defense STEM programs
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) offers internships for high school, college, and graduate school students to explore career opportunities in civil service. When applying for an internship, double-check the eligibility requirements, as some programs are only accepting college/graduate school students or current employees. These internships span the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, Army, National Security Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Navy, Marine Corps, Missile Defense Agency, and more.
Learn more about DoD STEM programs. Tip—filter by Audience: Students, Grades: 9-12, and your state of residence.
15. Another Option: Participate in the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review (CULR) High School Essay Contest
Columbia Undergraduate Law Review is a popular, well-established journal that publishes undergraduate legal essays. The CULR is hosting its annual high school essay contest, which is a perfect opportunity for students with an interest in law to stand out in the college admission process!
Consider taking Aralia Education’s CULR Contest Preparation Class! Taught by experienced teachers from top private high schools in the US, this course covers legal writing, argument development, and source citation. Aralia students can expect to leave the course with a publication-worthy, competitive essay ready to stand out amongst peers’ submissions.
CULR High School Essay Contest Preparation
The CULR High School Essay Contest Preparation class will navigate students through brainstorming, researching, outlining, drafting, and revising their essays. They will provide personalized feedback and suggestions to help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills.
