What are the best internships for law students?

Asked by: Angelina Weimann  |  Last update: April 29, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (29 votes)

The best law internships for students offer hands-on experience in diverse settings, including Judicial Clerkships, Government Agencies (DOJ, DA/PD offices), Legal Aid/Non-Profits, Corporate Legal Depts, and Large Law Firms (Summer Associate programs), focusing on areas like research, writing, and courtroom exposure, with top options often found through school career services, USAJOBS, or firm websites, providing insight into different legal careers.

What are good law internships?

Government Agencies: Interning with government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice, district attorney's offices, public defender's offices, and other local, state, or federal agencies can provide valuable experience. USAJOBS is the official job site for federal government internships.

How do law students get internships?

Start by checking USAJobs for legal internship listings. Contact government and public interest agencies. All state agencies should be listed on state and local government websites, so you can research and reach out to them directly. Public interest positions are also posted on PSJD.org.

Are law internships worth it?

If possible, acquiring work experience during the summer break might prove to be invaluable later on. Summer internships will offer you a wide range of benefits that can significantly boost your academic, professional, and personal development. Working hard while you are already a student will pay dividends later on!

How to be the best intern for a law firm?

Here are seven ways to make the most of that time and leave your summer internship on a high note.

  1. Put yourself out there. ...
  2. Go to lunch with your boss. ...
  3. Stay on top of your assignments. ...
  4. Get a good writing sample. ...
  5. Ask for feedback—good and bad. ...
  6. Have an exit interview. ...
  7. Send a thank you card.

What Are The Best Law Internships For Law Students? - The College Explorer

27 related questions found

How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?

To earn $500,000+ as a lawyer, you need to specialize in high-value areas (corporate, IP, high-stakes litigation, medical malpractice) or join a "Big Law" firm, become an equity partner, develop a strong reputation, or build a large practice in fields like plaintiff's personal injury on contingency, often requiring strategic marketing, a scalable firm model, and diverse income streams beyond billable hours. 

What are the big 4 internships?

The "Big 4" internships are prestigious programs at the world's largest professional services networks: Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), and KPMG, offering students experience in audit, tax, and consulting, serving as a crucial stepping stone to full-time roles in accounting and finance by providing hands-on corporate project involvement and valuable skills development.
 

Is $20 an hour good for an internship?

Yes, $20 an hour is generally considered a good and competitive rate for many internships, often above average, but it can be low for high-demand fields like tech or in high-cost-of-living areas, where $30+ is common. The value depends heavily on your industry, location (cost of living), your year in school, and the specific skills required. 

What disqualifies you from law school?

Disqualification from law school often stems from academic failure (low GPA/grades) or character & fitness issues like significant criminal records, academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism), financial irresponsibility, or, most commonly, failing to be truthful on your application or during the character and fitness review process, as honesty and candor are paramount. While issues like past arrests or financial struggles aren't automatic disqualifiers, they require full disclosure and evidence of rehabilitation to avoid denial or later disbarment. 

Are most law school internships paid?

Law school internships can be a great way to gain experience and learn about the legal profession. Unfortunately, most of these positions are unpaid. However, some options, such as stipends or grant funding, are available for students who need to earn money while working an internship.

What is the best time to apply for law internships?

September is a critical time for both employers and students when it comes to legal internships because it marks the start of the academic year and recruiting cycle.

Which is the highest paid internship?

The highest-paying internships are consistently in tech (like NVIDIA, Stripe, Meta, Roblox, Google, Microsoft) and quant finance (like Radix Trading, <<< !nav>>Arrowstreet, Hudson River Trading), often exceeding $7,000-$9,000 monthly for roles in software engineering, AI, and fintech, with top trading firms sometimes paying over $20,000/month for quantitative roles. Other lucrative sectors include energy (ExxonMobil, Tesla) and consulting, with specific companies like Amazon, Apple, Capital One, and Uber also offering high compensation. 

What do law interns usually do?

A legal intern assists attorneys by performing crucial support tasks like legal research, drafting documents (memos, briefs, contracts, motions), reviewing case files, and handling administrative duties, all while gaining practical experience in the legal system by observing court proceedings, client meetings, and discovery processes, varying greatly by location (firm, government, court) and the intern's demonstrated competence.
 

Who are the Golden 5 law firms?

The "Golden 5" law firms usually refer to London's elite "Magic Circle" firms: A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May, known for their high profitability and corporate law expertise, a term coined by legal journalists in the 1990s. While some US firms like Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins dominate in revenue and size, the Magic Circle remains the benchmark for UK-based global corporate law.
 

Is it hard to get a law internship?

Law internships are competitive, so applying to many positions may increase your likelihood of getting one.

What are the three types of internships?

The three main types of internships often distinguished by structure and timing are Summer Internships (intensive, 10-12 weeks), Year-Round Internships (part-time during semesters, full-time breaks), and Co-op Programs (integrated with coursework, longer duration), with other key categories including Paid vs. Unpaid, In-Person vs. Virtual, and Micro-Internships for short-term tasks, all offering experiential learning. 

Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?

Yes, $400 an hour is a significant amount for a lawyer, but whether it's "a lot" depends on factors like the lawyer's experience, location (urban areas charge more), and specialty (corporate law often costs more). While $100-$300 is a common range, $400 can be standard for experienced attorneys in complex fields or major cities, and even less experienced lawyers in big firms might bill similarly, with partners charging much more. 

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?

No, Kim Kardashian has not yet passed the full California Bar Exam; she failed the July 2025 exam and publicly shared her results in November 2025, vowing to keep studying, though she previously passed the First-Year Law Students' Examination (Baby Bar) in 2021. She's said she came "so close" and is determined to pass, viewing the setback as motivation for future attempts.
 

What's the hardest year of law school?

Most law students agree the first year (1L) is the hardest due to the steep learning curve, new teaching methods (Socratic/Case Method), intense reading/writing, and high-pressure environment designed to build foundational skills, though 2L brings different stressors like career planning and internships. 1L is a "bootcamp" for thinking like a lawyer with unfamiliar concepts and high stakes for grades, making the transition from undergraduate studies particularly challenging. 

How much is $70,000 a year hourly?

$70,000 a year is approximately $33.65 per hour, based on a standard 40-hour workweek (2,080 hours per year), calculated by dividing $70,000 by 2,080. This figure doesn't include taxes or benefits, but it's the common conversion for an annual salary to an hourly wage. 

What internship pays the most?

The highest-paying internships are consistently in tech (like NVIDIA, Stripe, Meta, Roblox, Google, Microsoft) and quant finance (like Radix Trading, <<< !nav>>Arrowstreet, Hudson River Trading), often exceeding $7,000-$9,000 monthly for roles in software engineering, AI, and fintech, with top trading firms sometimes paying over $20,000/month for quantitative roles. Other lucrative sectors include energy (ExxonMobil, Tesla) and consulting, with specific companies like Amazon, Apple, Capital One, and Uber also offering high compensation. 

Is a 3 month internship enough?

Conclusion. A 3-month internship is often enough to gain essential skills, complete projects, build your resume, and make connections. It provides a solid foundation and can open doors for future roles, even if a longer internship may be better suited for more complex or advanced learning goals.

Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?

Yes, an accountant can make $500k a year, but it's rare and typically requires reaching top-tier positions like a partner at a large firm, a CFO of a public company, or a highly successful owner of their own specialized practice, often with significant experience and high-leverage skills. This level of income is generally achieved through advanced roles beyond standard accounting, focusing on strategy, client acquisition, and high-value services, rather than typical hourly work. 

How to ace an internship?

How to ace an internship: 12 easy-to-implement tips

  1. Lunch, lunch and lunch. ...
  2. Be nice. ...
  3. Don't be a slob. ...
  4. Get a lot of feedback. ...
  5. Ask Away. ...
  6. Don't sweat the little things. ...
  7. Be proactive. ...
  8. Don't be overeager.