Law Internships for College Students: A Comprehensive Guide

For college students considering a career in law, internships offer an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of the legal profession. This article explores the benefits of law internships, various types of internships available, and how to find and make the most of these opportunities.

Why Pursue a Law Internship?

Every pre-law student, whether determined to attend law school or uncertain about making the decision, should attempt to know as much as possible about the profession they are considering joining. What we see on the news or in movies or on social media is only a small fraction of what attorneys actually do in real life; most are not in the courtroom banging their fist on a table in front of a jury and screaming for justice. Reading about the profession only accomplishes so much. In order to really get a feel for what attorneys do it's important that students observe attorneys in action and if possible gain practical experience.

Pre-law internships provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the legal field while still in college. Internships are not required to apply to law school, but they can be highly beneficial for students interested in pursuing a career in the legal field.

Real-World Exposure: Internships provide a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of legal work, which can differ significantly from the portrayal in media.
Skill Development: Interns develop essential skills, including legal research, writing, analysis, and communication.
Networking Opportunities: Internships offer the chance to connect with legal professionals, build relationships, and gain mentors.
Career Exploration: Internships help students determine if a legal career is the right fit for them and explore different areas of law.
Resume Enhancement: Relevant internship experience strengthens a student's application to law school and future job prospects.

Types of Law Internships

The legal field offers a wide array of internship opportunities, catering to various interests and career goals.

Government Agencies

Department of Justice (DOJ): The DOJ offers several programs, including the Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) for compensated summer internships and volunteer legal internships. These internships provide exposure to various areas of law, such as criminal justice, civil rights, and environmental law.
District Attorney's Offices: Interning at a district attorney's office provides experience in criminal prosecution, including case preparation, legal research, and courtroom observation.
Public Defender's Offices: Public defender internships offer experience in criminal defense, working with attorneys to represent individuals who cannot afford legal representation.
Federal Agencies: Federal agencies and departments offer unpaid training opportunities to students in high school and college. As a student volunteer, you will be exposed to the Federal work environment and will learn about the missions and responsibilities of various Federal agencies and departments.
Courts and Judicial Chambers: Interning with a court or a judge’s chambers can provide hands-on experience in the legal system.

Non-Profit Organizations

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): The ACLU offers internships focused on civil rights and civil liberties advocacy, providing opportunities to engage with impactful legal and social justice issues.
Legal Aid Societies: Local legal aid organizations provide legal services to individuals who cannot afford representation.
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: This nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focuses on addressing racial discrimination through litigation and advocacy.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): NYLAG offers a wide range of internships in various legal areas, including tenants' rights, employment law, elder law, and LGBTQ law.
Volunteer with a Non-Profit Organization: The Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) (recently renamed the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio - LASCO) exists to provide assistance and guidance to those attempting to navigate our complex legal system.

Law Firms

Law Firms: Many law firms offer internships to assist with legal research and administrative tasks as well as gain exposure to different practice areas.

Corporate Legal Departments

Corporate Legal Departments: Large corporations with in-house legal teams sometimes offer internships for pre-law students to gain insight into corporate law and compliance.

Legislative Internships

Ohio General Assembly Internship Program: This program provides sophomores, juniors, and seniors a semester-long internship with the Ohio General Assembly, placing students in the office of a State Representative, State Senator, or caucus policy office.

Finding Law Internship Opportunities

Students interested in pursuing a pre-law internship should start by researching opportunities in their local area. They can also reach out to law firms, legal organizations, and local bar associations for opportunities.

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University Resources: Many universities have pre-law advising centers or career services offices that can provide information on internship opportunities and application assistance.
Online Job Boards: Websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Idealist list internships in the legal field.
Networking: Reach out to attorneys, professors, and other legal professionals to inquire about internship opportunities or leads.
Organization Websites: Check the websites of law firms, non-profit organizations, and government agencies for internship postings.
VolunteerMatch: Search for volunteer opportunities related to your areas of interest via VolunteerMatch.

Making the Most of Your Internship

Be Proactive: Take initiative, ask questions, and seek out opportunities to learn and contribute.
Develop Your Skills: Focus on improving your legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
Network: Attend networking events, connect with colleagues, and build relationships with mentors.
Seek Feedback: Ask for regular feedback on your performance and identify areas for improvement.
Reflect on Your Experience: Consider what you have learned from the internship and how it has shaped your career goals.

Specific Internship Examples: NYLAG

The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) offers a wide variety of internships, providing students with opportunities to work on diverse legal issues. Here are some examples:

Community Access Programs Intern: Assists with community outreach programs, including the Mobile Legal Help Center, which provides free legal services to underserved communities.
Consumer Protection Unit Intern: Represents clients in consumer debt cases, negotiates with opposing counsel, and drafts legal self-help materials.
Foreclosure Prevention Project Intern: Assists homeowners facing foreclosure with litigation, deed transfers, and mortgage modification applications.
Taxi Advocacy Project Intern: Works with yellow taxi medallion owners in the restructuring of their taxi medallion loans.
Volunteer Lawyer for a Day (VLFD) Intern: Provides limited scope representation to consumer debt defendants during their court appearance.
Domestic Violence Law Unit, Law School Intern: Assists petitioners with orders of protection and works on matters related to divorce, custody, and immigration.
Employment Law Intern: Assists with cases involving wage and hour issues and other employment law matters.
Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program Intern: Advocates for older persons and younger people with disabilities who need access to Medicaid home care.
Immigration Legal Intern: Provides direct client services, including application assistance for naturalization, self-petitions for domestic violence victims, and visas for victims of human trafficking.
Special Litigation Unit Intern: Works on complex impact litigations that advance social, racial, and economic justice.
LGBTQ Law Project Intern: Provides free representation and advice on a wide array of civil legal matters affecting the LGBTQ community.
LegalHealth Unit Intern: Addresses clients’ legal needs by addressing social determinants of health in a healthcare setting.
Advance Planning Practice Intern: Helps clients with limited means plan for all stages of life, including guardianship, wills, and estates matters.
Elder Law Intern: Provides direct elder law services to seniors with low income, focusing on health care and advanced life planning.
Health Law Intern: Provides advice and representation to individuals related to Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health insurance programs.
Veterans Practice Intern: Provides direct legal services to United States military veterans, helping them secure compensation and benefits.
Special Education Intern: Addresses matters related to a child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and school placement.
Tenants’ Rights Intern: Conducts every aspect of eviction defense litigation and engages in affirmative litigation to assert tenants’ rights.
NYCHA Defense Team Intern: Defends the rights of public housing tenants in eviction proceedings.
Volunteer Program Intern: Supports the Pro Bono and Volunteer Unit by increasing volunteer engagement and improving NYLAG’s capacity to support clients.

Other Opportunities

Shadow an Attorney: Students considering a career in criminal law can reach out to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office and request to shadow an attorney for a half day or a day.

First Generation Civil Rights Fellowship Program

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights hosts the First Generation Civil Rights Fellowship Program, or FirstGEN, a paid summer program for undergraduate students who are the first in their immediate families to attend college and who intend to pursue careers in social justice. Our mission is to identify and support first generation college students as they emerge into tomorrow’s leaders.

Student Volunteer Program

Federal agencies and departments offer unpaid training opportunities to students in high school and college. These opportunities provide work experience related to your academic program. The program allows you to explore career options as well as develop your personal and professional skills.

Department of Justice Pathways Programs

The Department of Justice Pathways (DOJ) Programs provide clear paths to Federal employment for students and recent graduates. The Pathways Programs consist of two major subprograms: the Internship Program and the Recent Graduates Program (RGP).

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